Shipwrecks and Seafaring Tales of Prince Edward Island

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Julie Watson has organized chronologically, from 1745 to 1993, accounts
of numerous shipwrecks and sea-related adventures from Prince Edward
Island. Excellent research and extensive direct quotes from her sources
add veracity and a sense of immediacy to the often blood-chilling
accounts. Generous use of details brings even the oldest tales to life,
helping the reader visualize the reactions and struggles of the men,
women, and children battered by icy seas. Whether a hundred years ago or
last year, the ordeals endured during a storm at sea are presented with
realism and empathy. The majority of the accounts are of shipwrecks,
groundings, and being lost on the ice. Other aspects of the sea’s
impact on the Island—ghost ships, buried treasure, rum-running, seal
hunts, whale rescues, environmental concerns—are touched on as well.
The work is fast-paced, easy to read, and lively without being overly
dramatic.

This is a solid piece of historical research and, although
“popularized” in its presentation, a valuable addition to Canada’s
marine history. It provides interesting insights into the character of
the province and the heritage of a long, rich association with the sea.