This photo taken sometime around 1910 shows a group of men standing in front of the J.T. Swyers Co. Ltd. fish store located in Bayley's Cove.
This was during the time when dried salt cod was the mainstay of the fishing industry. The founder of the company, Joseph Thomas Swyers, is included in this picture.
Perhaps someone can let me know which person is Mr. Swyers
UPDATE : Thanks to Curtis Abbott for providing me with the names of the men in this picture..
Back row:- L-R: Heber Power (Jack's father) James Way, Fred Power (Joe Power's father), J.T. Swyers and Samuel Abbott
Middle L-R: John Powers (Fred Power's father), Albert Way, Eli Abbott, Charlie Abbott (George Abbott's son)
Front L-R: George Abbott, Samuel Linthorne, Bobbie Linthorne, Abendego Fisher.
We now jump ahead 40 years. This picture, taken in 1950, shows a group of fishermen
gutting fish on the Bonavista Cold Storage wharf. The man in the center with the white shirt and tie on is probably waiting to obtain a fresh cod to fry for dinner. The small boys are patiently waiting to cut out the cod tongues and "britches"
which they will sell to neighbors and friends. A great way to make some money during the summer holidays.
This is how the Bonavista Cold Storage looked in the 1950's.
The company began its operations in 1939 and an additional building was built in 1941 and an overhead conveyor carried the fish products from one building to the other. In 1969, the company began to process crab at the plant. Take note of the "pot" holes that
were always present on the road. Looks like they have just been filled with some sort of material - certainly not asphalt!
"The Barbara and Darlene H" in Bonavista harbour in the mid 1950s. This vessel was built by Ralph Hicks and his father Philip on Long Beach in 1953.
She was used by Ralph as a fishing vessel out of Bonavista for a number of years and later as a freighter between St. John's and Bonavista. I still remember the launching of "The Barbara and Darlene H". Almost everyone from Rolling Cove and
Mockbeggar were there to help "haul on the bow line". At one point I was able to grab the rope and add my considerable strength to the task. Lots of memories associated with this photo.
The old train that during the 50's travelled between Bonavista and Clarenville about three times a week. This is how most freight as well as the mail reached Bonavista.
Quite a number of automobiles on the scene - their drivers
possibly hoping to pick up a few passengers. Sorry for the poor quality of this photo but I thought I would include it just to rekindle some memories.
