By Tracy Lutz

Many people know the story of The Sovinto, the ship wrecked in a tragic storm off the north shore in 1906. But, few are aware of the measures taken to prevent such a tragedy from occuring again. The storm which claimed the lives of so many Sovinto crewmen had a devastating effect on the lives of the people of Priest Pond and the government of the day decided something had to be done.

In 1907, a life-saving building was built across from the local school on what is now Bernard Ryan's property. It came to be known as The Rocket House and, according to Grace Ryan, about a dozen local men were hired each year by the government to be part of an emergency rescue team.

She said a wagon with a rocket-like appartus was built and all equipment for it was housed in The Rocket House. Monthly, the 12 men along with two horses practiced hauling the wagon to shore. On the wagon were long cables which were to be shot out to sea to ships in danger, thereby allowing for a ship-to-shore rescue. Mrs. Ryan said the rescue team's existence spanned about 20 years and many local men were involved. Charles A. Campbell and Paul A. MacEachern were former captains.

Evelyn Rooney, Paul MacEachern's daughter, said, "My father was the last one to have charge of the rocket. It was taken away shortly after he took over - when the Conservative government came in. A boat landed at Priest Pond on a Sunday morning and the captain ordered the rocket outfit hauled to the boat. My father took it down and it was landed on the wharf in Charlottetown." She recalls that the line that was. to be shot out to the ship arid secured there had a basket attached, to be used for bringing the men ashore.

It's possible the incredible device may have once been put into brief service but, as far as local people know. no men were actually rescued using it. Willie Ryan bought the building and property from tne government in the early 1930s. Since then, the Ryans have stored farm machinery and the like there. Today, the structure stands in Priest Pond - a reminder of the brave efforts of local people to prevent a repeat of the Sovinto tragedy.

from The Beacon - March 2, 1993

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard