Within sight
from St. Pierre and a 10-minute ferry ride is Ile de Marins (“Mariners Island”).
These pictures are all from the same day --- the fog comes and goes like the
ghosts on the island. A historic settlement over the centuries, all based on
fishing for cod when the waters were full. From the 1500’s to 1966 this little
island was a complete world of homes, schools, church, sports --- but mostly
fishing.
Info plaques
describe the functions and historic changes to the buildings on the trails. Pat
embraced the house where women did the washing --- “ le lavoir”.
While the
men were out at sea, the women did most of the other tasks. But 8 to 16
year-old orphans were brought over to work just as hard, and with just as much
abuse and poverty. 20% of the island was covered with these rock fields; the
cod was laid out on the stones to dry. The cemetery showed the major influence
of the Catholic church, like a replica of the 12 stations of the cross. But
there is also evidence of hockey!
The little
ferry took us back to St. Pierre (the patron saint of fishermen) as the fog
again lifted and shut. Can you pick out our red-sided Chez Marie Jo?
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