Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture
June 19, 2014
Remembering Those Lost at Sea
Memorial Site Honouring Sealers Officially Unveiled
Today marked the unveiling of the Home from the Sea Sealers Memorial in Elliston, which commemorates the 1914 sealing disasters that permanently impacted Newfoundland and Labrador’s culture. The site includes a memorial sculpture, interpretation centre, and walking path, all of which were supported by a $500,000 contribution from the Provincial Government.
“The Provincial Government was pleased to invest $500,000 in this legacy project, which will help young people and visitors build an appreciation for the vital role seafaring careers have played in the development of our province, and the price paid too often by those making their living on the water. The story of those lost in the 1914 disaster, and the families they left behind, will now live on in the powerful imagery and interpretation provided at this great location.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Celebrations included a statue unveiling, a ribbon cutting for the John C. Crosbie Interpretation Centre, and cultural performances.
“On behalf of the Provincial Government, I congratulate everyone who played a role in the success of the Home from the Sea campaign. For several years, organizers have been advancing a monumental project requiring great vision and determination, and the result is a world-class memorial site that will ensure current and future generations appreciate the significance of the 1914 sealing disasters, the dangers faced by those working at sea, and the contribution sealing has made to the province’s culture and economy.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
The celebrations were attended by Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, and Glen Little, MHA for Bonavista South.
“This memorial site is a tremendous addition for the region from a tourism, education, and economic perspective and will generate meaningful benefits on the Bonavista Peninsula for years to come. I invite people throughout the province and all over the world to come to Elliston, and connect with this very special presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s culture.”
- Glen Little, MHA for Bonavista South
The Provincial Government has worked with sealers to professionalize the industry and enhance safety for participants, which included providing more than $32,000 to the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board recently to support sealer information workshops throughout the province. In addition to supporting training and safety initiatives, the Provincial Government has also provided funding for advocacy, marketing, and product development to make the sealing industry stronger than ever, and to protect the well-being of families and communities that rely on the industry for their well-being.
QUICK FACTS
- The Home from the Sea Sealers Memorial in Elliston, which received $500,000 in support from the Provincial Government, officially opened to the public today.
- All materials at the site focus on the events of March 30, 1914, a day when sealers departing from the SS Newfoundland were lost in a blizzard, while on the same day, more sealers perished when the SS Southern Cross sank while returning to St. Lawrence, all of which resulted in the loss of more than 250 lives.
- The site includes a bronze statue depicting father and son Reuben and Albert John Crewes, who were found frozen together on the ice, with the father trying to shield his son from the elements.
- The John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre will provide visitors with multiple opportunities to learn about and reflect on the history of sealing and sealers.
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| Milly Brown Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 MillyBrown@gov.nl.ca |
James Sheppard Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 727 0850 jamessheppard@gov.nl.ca |
| Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
2014 06 19 12:00 p.m.