The town of Souris curves itself around Colville Bay. Its history has always, in one way or another, related to the sea and ships.

Mrs. Gen (Fee) Roach gave me Captain Tierney's account of the wreck of the Nutwood on December 5, 1900. This account had been sent to her by her sister a number of years ago. The headlines read: "Lashed to the rigging and looking death in the face." The newspaper was The Record, of N.S.

John McLean, a partner in Matthew & McLean had a 100-ton schooner, Nutwood built in 1888 and named for a trotting stallion.

The following is a condensed account of her last voyage. On Saturday, December I, 1900 the schooner, Nutwood, sailed from Souris bound for Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, with 6,000 feet of scantling and a full cargo of produce: flour, vegetables and pork.

The ship was twelve years old, had been engaged in West Indies trade and was well built with new sails and rigging. On board besides the Captain Tierney was a crew of five and Mr. Frank Conroy, representing Matthew & McLean.

Sunday, the ship entered Louisburg and there remained until Tuesday. Some of the cargo was disposed of. On Tuesday, they sailed for Glace Bay but were obliged to anchor under Port Murrain (Morien?).

At midnight, Wednesday, the wind veered westerly and they were obliged to weigh anchor and set a sail. The wind changed from northwesterly to easterly. Snow was falling thick. The snow and gale winds increased and the barometer began to fall rapidly.

Wednesday, they were off Glace Bay but the Captain decided not to risk making it into the Bay but to head for Sydney. The ship was blown toward Bird Island and, as there was no sea room, he was obliged to try to make it to St. Anne's and try for a good beaching place.

The Captain lashed himself to the wheel and sent the men to a mount the rigging and prepare for the crash. " All were wet with snow, half frozen and benumbed with cold," to quote Captain Tierney's words.

The Nutwood struck at Indian Brook near St. Anne's. The war waves carried her shoreward. One crew member was able to take a line and reached shore through the breakers. By this rope, the rest of the men made it to shore only to find themselves on a rocky island, a bare 200 yards in circumference about one quarter mile from shore. Fortunately they were sighted from the mainland by Miss Campbell, a woman of about sixty who walked a mile to a neighbour's house seeking help.

The men of the Nutwood were brought to shore and treated with every kindness by the people of the area for the next two days until the government cutter Gladiator came to take them to North Sydney.

The lumber on board the Nutwood had been jettisoned early on Wednesday in order to help save the ship from foundering. When the Captain and crew surveyed the wreck the day after, they found her broken in two. Part of the produce, including flour and pork was saved and given to their rescuerers in gratitude.

Captain Tierney, who had spent 27 years of his life at sea, said that the gale was the worst he had ever encountered. Unfortunately for the owners of the Nutwood, there was no insurance on either the vessel or cargo.