Hudson, Herb. Interview about sealing.

• Main Authors: Rubin, Dan, Chun Lau, Po
• Other Authors: Hudson, Herb
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Work; Ships; Fishing; Hunting; Hudson; Herb; Arctic; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/8504

Herb Hudson discusses his experiences in the sealing fishery during the 1940s from his home in Pouch Cove. He discusses life onboard the ships, daily routines, meals, pay, preparing and eating seal, and notable events. 00:00 – introduction; 1:04 – first sealing trip 1948; Norwegian ship Fordhan; being recruited from Biscan Cove; age; 3:52 – left March 12; getting stuck in ice; 5:20 – ice flows; 6:19 – coming home May 29; 7:25 – hole in ship, filling hole with cement; returning to St. John’s for repairs; 11:09 – clothing for sealing; 11:42 – size of crew; ship leaking after repairs; 12:48 – being treated well by Norwegians; food; 13:34 – getting sick; Harris Williams and Eddy Evans getting sick at sea; no doctors aboard; 14:24 – cousin dying on ship; packing body in box with salt; 14:58 – notifying cousin’s wife; 15:08 – Henry Butt; Amos dying on Terra Nova in winch; 15:34 – date of cousin’s death; on the May; 16:32 – listening to news on radio on deck; 17:05 – remedies; rum, aspirin, epsom salts; 17:35 – Harris Williams; 17:54 – describing work; killing seals with gaff; moving across ice pans; 19:21 – number of seals; snacks and meals; 20:04 – schedule on ice; 20:39 – whitecoats; 36,000 seals in 31 days; 21:02 – payment for seals; 21:32 – Ronald Bragg sealing experiences; buying clothing for himself and father; Turnover; father’s berth; 23:02 – getting a berth from Mr. Gruchy; 24:20 – five trips over four spring seasons; 24:58 – the May; Newfoundland captains and Norwegian captains; local knowledge of sealing; 26:06 – skippers; discussing book about sealing; 27:37 – names of captains; 29:29 – Captain Sydney Hill, captain of Arctic Sealer; 30:14 – sleeping arrangements; bunks and hammocks; 31:12 – burning coal; getting washtub ready for men coming home; 32:49 – saving Harrison’s life falling through ice; nearly drowning; 38:22 – hooded seals; 39:43 – sealing and income; selling flippers; barrels; 41:54 – staying warm; 43:01 – going out on ice; master watch directing sealers; 43:55 – rough waters; 44:39 – ...