The Graveyard of the Atlantic

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5501, 19 October 1901, Page 4

The Graveyard of the Atlantic

Sable Island, dread of ths mariner and graveyard of the Atlantic, has been planted with trees in the hope fchat Its shifting sands may thereby be bound together. It lies about ninety miles oS the coast of Nova Scotia, and is some twenty one miles long, with > the form of a slender open crescent, Ho other island, it has truly been said, oan show so appalling a record of shipwreck and disaster. As there is no harbour, very considerable difficulty was encountered in landing the eighteen large cases containing the, 81,600 trees to be planted. These were selected by Dr Saunders, director of the Dominion experimental farms, from a large nursery in Normandy last autumn, Before making the selection he visited the coasts of Brittany and studied tho results of tree planting there, which was begun sixty years ago on the drifting sands that line the shore. Tbe trees put chased for Sable Island included a large number of " such as have succeeded in France, there being added various other sortß whioh Canadian experience indicated to be likely to prove useful for the purpose. Tho trees comprised 68,000 evergreens, consisting of pines, spruces and junipers, the remaining 13,600 being various hardy deciduous kiods. Tne greater part of the island consists of bluffs of white sand, from 25 feet to 100 feet high, much of which is held together by the roots of a sand binding grass, whilst considerable areas are covered with loose sand, which is blown about by the strong winds usually prevailing, with the result that the configuration of the surface is ever changing. The sea has made great inroads on the west end of the island, End has, within the memory of the present residents, Washed away several miles, thus necessitating the removal of the lighthouse there twice within fifteen years. Early surveys give the length of the island as forty miles; it is now little more than half this. Most dangerous shoals extend on all Bides, and the strong ocean currents often carry vessels out of their course. The prevalence of fogs is another cause contributory to shipwrecks. At its widest parts the island Is more than a miie across*. The middle is occupied by a lagoon of salt water, which at some points takes up almost one-half tbe width of the island and extends for nearly half its length. A break has occurred in the south bar, through which the sea now enters in volume. There are three life-saving stations, connected by telephone, on the island. These were organised by tbe Government of Nova Scotia in 1801, and maintained by that province until confederation thirty-six years ago, when this service was undertaken by the Dominion. The British Government contributes JSSOO a year towards the maintenance of this humane work. There are excellent lifeboats and other life-saving apparatus, as well as two lighthouses and one other smaller look-out establishment. The service comprises eighteen men, wbo, with their wives and ohildren, make up a total population of forty-five. Wooden buildings have been erected to serve as shelters for shipwrecked people, and a large store of food is always kept in hand. Advantage was taken of the occasion c£ the tree planting to include at the central station on the island a number of varieties of small fruits sent from the pxperimental farm at Ottaw . If the effort which has been made should prove successful, aa is earnestly to be hoped, the trees will materially help in holding the soil together, and ii.il also assist in rendering the island more clearly visible from a distance on the ocean.