Untitled - Memorial University's Digital Archives - Memorial ...

The second stanza was taunting the women \\ho would miss them. 17
The USC ofthe \'erb 'launting" suggests that there was a status in going on the
Labrador. Not c\"crybody could go: some had to stay home to look after the land and
kitchen gardens; some people were too old or too feeble to go; some could not take lhe
\o)'age itself: others wanted to go but could not get a berth because lhcy were not
considered good or skilled enough.
Mrs. D. spoke ofthe status oflhe role ofcook on the Labrador. On board the
schooner. she would be the only female lreatcd with "deferencc" by the crew. -They look
after the cook:' Ifthe cook went up on deck to take a spclllrcst], people passing by
\\ould call "IIi. Cook:' Mrs. D. also said that "she had more timc to herself on board"
and that ··there was excitement in going on a long voyage to see new places and
pcople."u Iler description reads like an advertisemellt for a luxury liner cruise. Indeed
some of the people I mct on the passage referred to going on the Labrador as if they were
going 10 their summer cabins for a vacation. The trip 10 the Labrador, however, did not
full into the c.ltcgory ofa luxury cruise as the following passage proves:
Men, women. and children would be nccommodatcd in each hold ofthe ship
below the main deck. Sleeping quarters for eilch family would be provided by
spreading canvas on the salt [used in curing fish I and separating each family by
nailing canvas to the deck beams; making rooms to suit cach individual family.
Most of the cooking for these families was done on deck. Ifthe ships struck fair
11 MU FLA. ms.• 81-483, pp. 12-13.
a MU FLA. ms.. 81 --l83. p. 9.
71