Melvin Combden sketching plans for building a punt, Seldom-Come-By

• Main Author: Power, Maureen
• Other Authors: Combden, Melvin, Melvin Combden lives on Fogo Island in the community of Seldom-Come-By. He is originally from the resettled community of Wild Cove which was resettled during the governments resettlements program of the 1950's and 1960's. Melvin is an builder and is currently building punts. He is teaching traditional row punt building at the Fogo Central Academy High School. During the fishery he was a fisherman and worked with his father and his brother fishing out of Seldom-Come-By. When the fishery closed he took a course in carpentry in order to get his papers. His father was a boat builder which is where he learned the trade. His brother is also a boat builder. Melvin picked up the accordion as a young boy in Wild Cove. He continues to play today and plays at festivals on Fogo Island. Melvin was born in 1944 and is currently 63. He has three children, two boys and a girl. His wife, Velma, is also from Fogo Island.
• Format: Still Image
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Knowledge of the land/water and environment; Objects; Work; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_cn/id/772

Melvin Combden draws a sketch on a wooden plank to demonstrate the design of a punt.