August 3, 1928
Fisherman of 89 Recalls Old Times
Charles W. Bradstreet, one of
the few surviving local old-time fishermen, will quietly observe his 89th birthday
tomorrow at the city home. Although not in the best of health, he retains all his
faculties, and is about every day, taking an active interest in affairs about him.
Mr. Bradstreet comes from old
Cape Ann stock and from early boyhood led an adventurous life ashore and afloat. He
spent 28 years at sea, sailing for 14 years as master of sch. Marshall Ney from
the Davis-Maddocks wharf at the Fort.
His fishing career started at 11 years of
age. He recalls the year 1864, in the month of August when on account of the
depredations of "pirates" outside the Point, his vessel was held in port
12 days and finally slipped out on a mackerel trip at night.
At the time of the gale in October of 1851, he
was aboard sch. Romeo off Malpec, P. E. I. As the gale
came on the vessel made harbor, where, with all cable out, she lay all night, safely
riding out the storm, in which 17 vessels were lost. He also experienced the big
gale of ' 62 when some 15 vessels and 150 lives were lost on Georges.
On one occasion he took an active part in the
rescue of the crew of the barque Mary Patterson, wrecked off
Liverpool, N. S. At that time he was skipper of the May Queen On
several other occasions he also participated in thrilling rescues at sea.
After his long service as master of the Marshall
Ney, Mr. Bradstreet went one summer as skipper of sch. D.B.
Haskins of the Todd & Tarr firm, Rocky Neck and later became part owner
in a boat built by the firm, afterward selling out his share, and spending a few years
ashore, conducting a livery stable as part owner.
Unable to resist the call of the sea, he
abandoned this venture and for three years sailed as part owner in sch. Ella
Florence. He was also for a time master of schooner Sadie
Pyle. From his varied experiences the seasoned skipper has acquired a
wealth of stores, with which he loves to entertain his visitors. |
