ARGONAUTA The Newsletter of The Canadian Nautical Research Society Volume X, Number Four October 1993 ARGONAUTA Founded 1984 by Kenneth S. Mackenzie ISSN No. 0843-8544 HONOURARY EDITOR Gerald E. PANTING EDITORS Lewis R. FISCHER Olaf U. JANZEN MANAGING EDITOR Margaret M. Gulliver ARGONAUTA EDITORIAL OFFICE Maritime Studies Research Unit Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, Nfld. AIC 5S7 Telephones: (709) 737-8424/(709) 737-2602 FAX: (709) 737-4569 ARGONAUTA is published four times per year in January, April, July and October and is edited for the Canadian Nautical Research Society within the Maritime Studies Research Unit at Memorial University of Newfoundland. THE CANADIAN NAUTICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY Honourary President: Niels JANNASCH, Halifax Executive Officers Liaison Committee President: Faye KERT, Ottawa Chair: Fraser M. MCKEE, Markdale Past President: W.A.B.DOUGLAS, Waterloo Atlantic: David FLEMMING, Halifax Vice-President: M. Stephen SALMON, Ottawa Quebec: Eileen R. MARCIL, Charlesbourg Vice-President: Olaf U. JANZEN, Comer Brook Ontario: Maurice D. SMITH, Kingston Councillor: Garth S. WILSON, Ottawa Western: Christon 1. ARCHER, Calgary Councillor: John SUMMERS, Toronto Pacific: John MACFARLANE, Victoria Councillor: Marven MOORE, Halifax Arctic: D. Richard VALPY, Yellowknife Councillor: Fraser M. MCKEE, Markdale Secretary: Lewis R. FISCHER, St. John's CNRS MAILING ADDRESS Treasurer: G. Edward REED, Ottawa P.O. Box 7008, Station J Ottawa, Ontario K2A 3Z6 Annual Membership, which includes four issues of ARGO­ Individual $25 NAUTA and four issues of The Northern Mariner: Institution $50 OCTOBER 1993 ARGONAUTA 1 PRESIDENT'S CORNER CONTENTS By Faye Kert Ottawa, Omario Editorial 1 President's Corner 1 As an organization, the CNRS is independent of federal Mailbag 2 government subsidies or assistance. Nevertheless the recent Articles changes to the structure of government in this country may - Beyond Jack Tar 3 have implications for our members. Certainly, for those of us - Two Masts and Square Rig 7 who are currently federal public servants within the cultural - James Hutton in Newfoundland and heritage sectors, the changes have been fairly extensive. and Australia 10 I thought I would take this opportunity to bring members up - Canadian "Park" Ships 13 to date with what has happened to the departments that used Columns to play key roles in heritage and cultural policy. - Swing the Lamps 14 - Steam Passenger Vessels 15 When Prime Minister Campbell undertook the dramatic Commentary 17 downsizing of her cabinet on 25 June, 1993, a number of News 17 historical and cultural responsibilities were realigned. Video Reviews 25 Although the changes will only become official if the post­ Around Maritime Journals 26 election government passes the appropriate legislation, most Diary 29 ministries are already operating within the new structure. Personal News 35 Archives and Museum News 38 As part of the overall reduction of federal departments from thirty-two to twenty-three, the former Department of Communications disappeared. This had been the department responsible for national museums (while they are now Crown corporations, there is still ministerial responsibility), EDITORIAL national art, heritage, cultural and broadcasting policies under their former minister Perrin Beatty. A new portfolio (I) was now created, the Canadian Heritage Department, with former Secretary of State Monique Landry appointed With this issue, our experiment in distributing "Personal minister. According to a press release, the role of the new Information Sheets" with each mailing ofARGONAUTA will department was "to support and encourage a strong sense of end. For the past year we have tried to save work and Canadian identity and heritage based on the fundamental reduce costs by soliciting personal news from members in characteristic of Canada - bilingualism and multiculturalism this way. But not enough members responded to justify the - and our diverse cultures and heritage." approach. It would appear that folks are more interested in reading the news than in helping us collect news for the next To this end, the new department will assume the responsibil­ issue. It's a shame, really. WhileARGONAUTA is carrying ities of the former Department of Multiculturalism and more news than ever before, it has also been our philosophy Citizenship; the arts, heritage, cultural and broadcasting role that the news that matters the most is the news about of the Department of Communications; official languages, ourselves. Nothing better conveys the society's commitment Canadian studies, native programme and state ceremonial to the promotion of nautical research than to see just how from the Department of Secretary of State; amateur sport much activity and interest in nautical research exists within from the Department of Health and Welfare; Parks Canada the membership. For this reason, the "Personal News" and historic sites from the Department of the Environment; column has always been a favourite. Yet oflate, it has been and eventually, the Registrar General function from the starved for material because members would not fill in a former Department ofConsumer and Corporate Affairs. The "Personal Information Sheet" that did not arrive by separate minister of this new mega-ministry will also be answerable mail. So, though it may cost a few trees' more worth of for the National Capital Commission, CBC, the Canada paper, we are reverting to our old practice. Council and the national museums. 2 ARGONAUTA OCTOBER 1993 In many ways, the rearrangement seems to make sense. For Sirs: instance, by combining a number of heritage and historical responsibilities under one ministry, the government should In looking at the information available about wartime be able to better coordinate efforts to preserve heritage sites (World War II) merchant shipbuilding, it seems that the US and buildings, excavate and interpret important archaeologi­ Liberty Ship program has been well-documented; a recently cal sites, evaluate cullural property and purchase or retain published Australian book, Liberty Ships in Peacetime, items of historic or cultural importance to the nation. By the describes the activities and careers of Liberties after sale by same token, cullural lobby groups will have one-stop­ the US government, and there is even a new book about US shopping when they wish to present a case, instead of having World War I ships, The Hog Islanders. However, I can find to present briefs to several different departments with a very little about Canadian-built merchant ships. variety of other interests. During a recent visit to Ottawa I visited the War Museum, Given the number of maritime heritage issues of particular in which there is a model ofthe Fort Ville Marie. I wrote the interest to CNRS, the enhanced profile of a Department of museum asking if they could direct me to information and Canadian Heritage should work to our advantage. A depart­ the reply was that they didn't know of any sources, except for ment focused on culture and heritage should be able to a book published in the UK in 1966 titled The Oceans, The develop a federal heritage policy encompassing such con­ Forts, And The Parks by W.H. Mitchell and LA. Sawyer cerns as the protection of submerged cultural resources, (Galleon Printers, Stockport, Cheshire). I have written the salvage rights, marine parks and the transfer or loss of publishers, but it seems too much to hope that they are even maritime cultural property outside Canada. still in business. I should appreciate any suggestions or assistance. The fmal decision regarding whether the new structure will remain as it was proposed in June, or assume some other Arthur B. Harris form under the next government, will have to await the 458 Martinique Drive outcome of the federal election. With the present situation Windsor, Ontario in mind, a ministry devoted to Canadian Heritage sounds N8P 1G7 like a positive first step. It will be up to all of us to keep our eyes on the changing face of government to ensure that our Sir: opinions, concerns and recommendations contribute to the development of Canada's future maritime heritage policy. I am doing some research into Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. of London. Between 1929 and 1932, they managed seven ships ARGONAUTA MAILBAG for Dominion Shipping Co. Ltd. Montreal. I have photos of two of the ships - the Rose Castle 1915 and Daghi/d 1916, Sirs: but not of the other five. I wrote to Capt. H.G. Hall of ShipSearch to ask if he had any photos of them. Unfortu­ I am looking for plans, sources of information, etc. about the nately he was unable 'to help me, but he suggested that you use of small craft that were armed for use in the American might be able to help. The ships are: Revolutionary War. I'm already familiar with gundaloes such as the Phi/adelphia but I am looking more toward whale­ Hochelaga 1912 boats and shallops that had been converted to armed use in Kamouraska 1911 the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Seaboard areas. Sometimes Lingan 1911 these craft were called ·Spider Catchers· and employed in Lord Strathcona 1915 flotillas. I need sources for particular situations where these Wabana 1911 craft were used and their configurations. It is my hope that this research will result in a reconstruction of such a craft Ifyou can help me with any of the above I would be pleased (approx. thirty-six to forty feet). I would appreciate any to hear from you. Could you also tell me how I should pay pointers. By the way, I already have Howard Chapelle's Early for the photos (e.g., would a cheque on an English bank be American Small Sailing Craft. With thanks in advance. acceptable)? Thank you for your time and trouble. Tom Apple KW. Bottoms 3552 Amherst Street 72 Frizlands Lane Norfolk, VA 23513 Essex RM10 7YJ USA England OCTOBER 1993 ARGONAUTA 3 Sir: incorrectly identified the owner of the barge as the "Francis Miller" fish company; in fact, it was the Francis Millerd fish I am researching the building, owning and operating of company, which was active on Canada's Pacific coast up to wooden freighters known as "double-enders," like the the 1980s.