Swain's Island (Newfoundland and Labrador) facts for kids

Swain's Island is actually a group of eight small islands in Newfoundland, located on the north side of Bonavista Bay. They are southeast of a town called Wesleyville. All these islands used to have people living on them. However, over time, everyone moved away, mostly to Wesleyville. This process is called "resettlement."

Island History

The first parts of Swain's Island to be settled were the Outer Swain's Islands. These spots were great because they were close to good fishing areas and offered safe places for boats. The very first settlers arrived in 1810. They were two Englishmen named William Tiller and John Winsor. Soon, other families joined them, including the Brentons, Mulletts, Stockleys, Dykes, and Hills.

By 1836, about 85 people lived on the islands. A school-chapel for the Church of England was even built on one of them, called Hill's Island. By the 1860s, Swain's Island was doing very well. People had a successful local fishery, and they also took part in the bigger Labrador fishery. Residents even started hunting seals.

The population grew to 265 people by 1869. It stayed around that number for a few years. But after that, people began moving to the mainland, especially to places like Wesleyville. In 1896, Swain's Island couldn't find a teacher willing to work there. So, a ferry service was started to take children to school in Wesleyville. By 1930, all the islands were completely empty.

Church and Education

When Swain's Island was first settled, everyone living there belonged to the Church of England. Missionaries from Greenspond often visited the island. For example, in June 1830, a missionary named Rev. N. A. Coster visited and baptized more than 40 people. Other church leaders, like Robert Dyer and Julian Moreton, wrote about their visits to Swain's Island in their diaries.

The first record of a layreader (someone who helps with church services but isn't a priest) and a teacher was Mr. E Churnside Bishop. He started teaching and layreading on the island in 1843. Bishop also helped organize the building of a new school, which opened in 1848. A Church of England church was built on Swain's Island and officially opened in 1861.

The very first teaching on the islands was done by a fisherman named John Feltham. William Tiller asked him to stay ashore and teach his boys instead of fishing. Feltham agreed. Later, in 1829, he was officially appointed as a teacher by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (S.P.G.). In 1830, there were about 25 students. However, this school closed in 1834. The next school record shows Edward Churnside Bishop teaching from 1843 to 1883. A new school house was built in 1869. The last teacher on Swain's Island was Annie Alice Hall in 1901.

Fishing and Sealing

Swain's Island was settled because it was a perfect spot for different types of fishing. Like many other communities in Newfoundland at that time, the entire economy depended on fishing. In 1874, there were 19 "fishing rooms" on Swain's Island. A fishing room was a place where fishermen processed their catch. By 1884, 10 fishing rooms were still in use.

Some of the fishing boats used for catching cod on Swain's Island included:

• Five Brothers, 1840
• R.M.C.
• True Blue, 1853
• Caroline
• Meteor
• British Queen, 1842
• Oban, 1863

People on Swain's Island also participated in sealing. This involved catching seals for their oil and fur. Here's how many sealing nets and large boats they had over the years:

Several important captains of sealing steamers (large ships used for seal hunting) were born on Swain's Island:

• William Winsor, Sr.: He captained steamers like the Iceland (1889) and the Vanguard.
• George Hann: His first steamer was the Leopard (1890), and his last was the Labrador (1908).
• Edward Bishop: He captained steamers such as the Algerine and Eagle II.
• Jesse Winsor: His first steamer was the Panther (1906), and his last was the Ranger (1920).
• Samuel Winsor: His first was the Walrus (1904), and his last was also the Ranger (1920).

Island Life and Numbers

Here are some interesting facts about Swain's Island over the years, based on old records: