Irish Commemorative Stone facts for kids
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The Irish Commemorative Stone is a special monument in Pointe-Saint-Charles, Montreal, Quebec. It is also known as the Black Rock. This large stone remembers the 6,000 mostly Irish immigrants who died from "ship fever" (which was typhoid). This happened when they came to Canada during the Great Irish Famine in 1847-48. The monument is a huge boulder, weighing 30 tonnes and standing 10 feet tall.
Besides the official name, Irish Commemorative Stone, people often call it the Black Rock. It has also been called the Ship Fever Monument or the Boulder Stone.
Contents
History of the Black Rock
Discovery of the Mass Grave
In the mid-1800s, workers were building the Victoria Bridge across the St. Lawrence River. They found a large burial site in Windmill Point. This was where many people who died from a serious sickness called typhus had been kept in special "fever sheds." Many of these workers were of Irish background. They were very upset by finding this mass grave.
Building the Monument
The workers wanted to create a memorial so that the grave would never be forgotten. This grave held the coffins of 6,000 Irish immigrants. So, on December 1, 1859, they put up the Black Rock. This stone was the first monument in Canada to remember the famine.
The words carved on the stone say:
"To Preserve from Desecration the Remains of 6000 Immigrants Who died of Ship Fever A.D. 1847-48
This Stone is erected by the Workmen of Messrs. Peto, Brassey and Betts Employed in the Construction of the Victoria Bridge A.D.
1859"
This means the stone was put there to protect the burial place of 6,000 immigrants who died from sickness in 1847-48. The workers building the Victoria Bridge put it up in 1859.
Irish Immigration During the Famine
About 75,000 Irish people came to Canada during the Great Famine. Many died during the journey across the sea. Some reports say that thousands died at sea or shortly after arriving. For example, the Montreal Gazette newspaper reported in 1934 that 18,000 Irish people died on their way to Canada.
Social Importance of the Black Rock
The Black Rock is still a very important symbol today. It is especially meaningful to the Irish community in Montreal. The Ancient Order of Hibernians Canada helps lead this community.
Every year at the end of May, the Canadian Irish community holds a special walk. They walk from St. Gabriel's church in Pointe St. Charles to the Black Rock. This walk is a way to remember all the lives that were lost during that difficult time. It helps keep their memory alive.
