Poppy Hayward’s Boat Race

Over my lifetime I had several boats. I built most of them myself with skills that I learned from my father Hayward. Sailboats were my favourite and the common little punt that had three simple sails was number one with me. It had a very simple rigging and the sails could be set and raised in just a few minutes.

I had a lot of fun and a few interesting adventures while sailing these little boats. One such adventure involved dad and one of his very good friends named James (Jim ) Reid. Dad, my sister Elva and I were out hauling a trawl in an 18 foot boat that I built the winter before. Besides having the usual three sail this boat was equipped with a 3hp Acadia gas engine. Always listening to the advice of dad I had my compass, oars and grapnel on board for safety.

A few days before the incident dad had gone out with me to set a trawl on the Offer Northern Point Ground. One of the best fishing grounds in Heart’s Delight. Jim Reid a politician and business man from our town had a cabin cruiser called the Miss Heart’s Delight. Dad and Jim being really good friends often teased each other about almost anything.

This day dad, Elva and I went to haul the trawl. The fish were plentiful and we were on our way home and was just about to enter the harbour. The little engine was putt, putt , putting along and there was a fair little breeze blowing from the west. All of a sudden the Miss Heart’s Delight came up behind us on it’s return from across the bay. As it came alongside someone yelled that’s Hadey Bishop. Jim steered his boat close enough to yell out, “ Hadey do you want to have a race?” He laughed and went on.  Dad yells to me ,”Ed put the sails up.” Being so close to the shore I was nervous but I hurried and put them up anyway. Elva said later that she was sure she could have reached out and touched the rocks on the point. I was about to turn of the engine but dad yelled keep the engine going. He took control of the sails. We caught the Miss Heart’s Delight about mid harbour and when we passed her dad Yelled out, “Jim, How about having a race”. Everyone had a good laugh that day .

Elva and I  often recalls the incident with proud chuckles.