The Casket – May 15, 1924
The Burnham & Morril Company’s steamer Ruby M. arrived here May 5 with supplies for the lobster factory, and on the same day the Leonard Fisheries steamer came in with a supply of salt, etc., for the branch here; and bait for the Burnham & Morrill Company. The B&M Company’s two smacks made a run the first of the season to Antigonish, and landed some tons of fertilizer, grain, feed, etc. For some of the fishermen saving a long haul for teams.
Hugh S. MacDonald, who ran the Antigonish packet the last few seasons, has taken a position on one of the government steamers, and, so far there is no packet service. Th is packet was quite a convenience for the public, carrying fertilizer, etc., from Antigonish.
The steamer Strathlorne arrived here from Halifax on the 10th with supplies for local merchants. This steamer with her obliging captain and crew, gives every satisfaction and is a welcome visitor at this time with her general cargo.
The first lobsters of the season were landed on the 9th. At this writing there is a lot of floating ice in the bay, and it is feared that much rope and some traps have been taken off. Report has it that some nets were taken by the ice at South Side Harbor, so on the whole it is a trying time for the fishermen, who have been preparing all winter. They are not discouraged even if the season does not open til the 15th, as they always catch about the same quantity of lobsters, whether the season is late or early.
Two fish traps are operating for this year and should be well supplied with bait for the fishermen.
Enquiry has come from several places in P.E. Island for gravel, but the condition of the breakwater will not permit loading This means a loss to the place, and it is to be hoped that the breakwater will be repaired in the early part of the season as mostly all material is now on the ground.