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Two Mysterious Drownings


In Pubnico, the Long Wharf was locally called “le grand quai”. The first section of the wharf, extending to a small island, was built out of earth in 1885-6. The second section was built out of wood the following year for an overall length of 666 feet or 203 metres. The wooden part was demolished by Hurricane Edna in 1955; the southeast winds blew the remains onto the coast. Then, most of the rest of the wharf was demolished by cutting the posts. It was during the years of its construction that near the coast, about two hundred metres to the south, a great construction was built. It was given the name of “Credo”; during its construction someone remarked that it would be as large as the “Credo (Creed) of the priest”, referring to a “Creed” that was sung in parts at church; the name has always remained. Built by the LeBlancs, bought by Mr. Shan, 1902. Demolished during the years 1970-1973. – Translated from Histoire civile de Pubnico-Ouest written by Rev. Clarence J. d’Entremont (page 59).

On 20 February 1895, two young men from the village of West Pubnico, Anselme T. d’Entremont and his brother-in-law Jean Elizée d’Entremont, decided to go duck hunting in the harbour. They used a boat commonly called a gunboat. Unfortunately, they have not been heard from since.


We tried to reconstruct all possible scenarios to help explain how two men, who were sailors, could have disappeared so mysteriously. However, none of our conjectures seemed to make sense. We know, for instance, that it was snowing and it was a little windy that day. The boat could have capsized, leaving them helpless, or the two young men could have lost their sense of direction and been carried out to sea. The strangest thing, however, is that the boat was never found.


Presuming the two men were in danger, or even slow in returning home, we set out in search of them, but to no avail.



Young Hélèna (Lena) d’Entremont.

Young Hélèna (Lena) Sadie d’Entremont.Anselme d’Entremont, better known as Sam, was the son of Jarvais d’Entremont and had married Emeline d’Entremont, daughter of Guillaume of Middle West Pubnico. He was 25 years old at the time. In addition to his wife, he left his one and a half year old child, a little girl; her name was Hélèna (Lena), who would be raised by her grandfather, Jarvais, where she lived until she married Vincent, son of Michel d’Eon.


Anselme’s companion, Jean Elizée, was Guillaume d’Entremont’s only son. He was about the same age as Anselme. Emeline had lost her husband and her only brother in the same day.


As for Jarvais, it was the second drowning in his family. Another son named Georges had drowned at the Long Wharf while he was unloading fish from a dory with his uncle Antoine d’Entremont. His body was discovered later. This accident happened on 27 February 1891.


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