Andrew Mercer's Blog

The history of Ferryland, much like the rest of Newfoundland, is genuinely surprising me with the calibre of the events that have taken place there.  I’ve just read a bit about Bouys Island or Isle aux Bois, just off the coast of Ferryland harbour and its use as a defense against attacks.  The island was heavily fortified starting at around 1743 and ending at around 1815, after the War of 1812.

The event that most caught my attention was during the year 1762.  The French had attacked and captured St. John’s and were headed for Ferryland to do the same; the governor of Ferryland put the women and children onto Bouys Island, instructed them to defend the settlement if needed and the men started off for St. John’s to fight the French there.  Sure enough, two French ships appeared in the harbour and what did the women do?  They opened up the cannons, damaged one of the ships with their fire and forced the ships to leave!  Amazing.

Andrew Mercer | andrew@andrewmercer.net