In a province founded on the backs of fishermen there is no shortage of shocking tales about ships braving the high seas. Over the years we've honoured our seafaring history through in-depth interviews with survivors and historical accounts of sunken ships, brave sea captains and Navy heroes. Upon our silver anniversary, reminisce with us as we tak...
The Very First Downhomer
The pages of the first ever Downhome, published June 22, 1988 are yellowed, tattered and torn. We have only one copy of that issue left and, despite its poor condition, we treasure it. Its aged appearance serves as a reminder of how far this magazine has come.
The first issue of The Downhomer, as it was then called, was 12 pages long and presented newspaper-style. Our inaugural "cover" image was a typical fishing boat,
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission exists because of Sir Fabian Ware, a commander of a First World War British Red Cross mobile unit. After seeing the mounting casualties in the early years of the war, Ware wanted to find some way to ensure the war graves would be forever remembered and honoured. With his help, the Red Cross unit began recording and attending to all the graves they could find, some of which were hastily
High-Flying Moments
Due in large part to its easternmost location in North America, Newfoundland has bore witness to many historic moments in world aviation. Of course, flying is risky business - and was especially so in its early days. As a result, this province holds a few morbid distinctions as the scene for tragic, yet historic, crashes. Read on for a timeline of history-making moments in aviation that took place right here.
June 14, 1919 -
The 1929 Tsunami: Through Dinah's Eyes By Ella Hillier
Bath, Ontario
This is a retelling of my great-aunt Dinah Ford's personal account of the 1929 Tsunami that struck the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland.
She was born Dinah Bonnell on November 3, 1912, in the small outport of Taylor's Bay on the Burin Peninsula. In 1929, the community had 17 houses. Fishing stages and a community wharf lined the rocky beach. There was a one-room school and a small chapel.
Reindeer vs. Caribou
A century ago, believe it or not, reindeer lived on the island of Newfoundland. In the early 1900s, Sir Wilfred Grenfell imported 300 reindeer from Norway with dreams of the population flourishing on the island, providing a new source of food and fur - and a handy draft animal - for Newfoundlanders.
But despite his best intentions, the good doctor had unknowingly set in motion a chain of events that are still felt
Help! Mystery Photo
The individuals in this old photo are all members of the 166th Royal Newfoundland Artillery. The submitter is asking for your help in identifying these men. If you recognize any of the faces in this old photograph, please leave a comment, below right.
For a closer look, click the thumbnail below.
Submitted by Brenda Faubert of British Columbia
Who are They?
Robert Pike of St. John's, NL found this old photo in a drawer. He writes, "It is my class photo from Curtis Academy, St. John's. I am not sure of the grade or year but believe it to be grade 5 or 6 and possibly 1969/70. Some of the faces are familiar but very few of the names are coming back to me."
Can you help Robert identify his former classmates? Leave a comment (see left) if you can identify any of the students in this photograph. For a closer look, click to enlarge the photo, below.
Old-Fashioned Child's Play
By John Hayward
Growing up, the whole of Bell Island was a playground to me; adventure was waiting just outside my door. The cliffs, the ocean and the floppy ice pans were my playthings back then, when I was too naïve to see the perils of it all.
Looking back today, I wonder how I even survived childhood. More than once, my innocent play turned into brushes with death. But somehow, someone or
