A Legacy – Cindy Clancey, 2009

My family's connection to Sable Island began almost fifty years ago when we lived at the West Light while my father was employed there as an electrician. In 2008 I returned to the island for a brief visit.

My family’s connection to Sable Island began almost fifty years ago when we lived at the West Light while my father was employed there as an electrician. In the spring of 2008 I had an opportunity to return to the island for a brief visit. One of the most profound memories of that unforgettable afternoon was a walk to the site of the Old Main Station, headquarters of the Sable Island Humane Establishment 1801-1958.

Although the buildings had virtually disappeared, it was a humbling experience. A few corner stones and bits of rusty metal were all that remained as a subtle reminder of past life saving service. Accounts of the Sable Island rescue crews were extraordinary. They worked under extreme conditions with limited resources. Many lives were lost on Sable shores. Many lives were saved thanks to the courage, ingenuity and perseverance of the men, women, children and horses of the Sable Island Humane Establishment .

As I looked around the site trying to imagine where former buildings stood, all I could really comprehend was that I was standing on sacred ground. For those unfortunate souls who found themselves at the mercy of a vast and unforgiving Atlantic ocean, the station was a sanctuary. The Sable Island Humane Establishment and its legacy has undeniably earned a place of honour in our Maritime history.

Image: A toppled chimney at the Old Main Station, photo Cindy Clancey 2008.

Cindy Clancey
Prepared for the Friends of the Green Horse Society, November 2009

One Comment

Jimmy W. Pelton October 29, 2019

What an amazing time you must have had living there! The idea of a small group of people toughing it out in a lonely outpost has always fascinated me, and Sable Island in particular has always fascinated me. Thank you for the article and photos.

Reply

The Beginning of a Memorable Partnership – Bob Dykes, 2017

In 1971, Bob Dykes flew to Sable Island to meet Henry James and his research team conducting behavioural studies of the island’s Harbour Seal population. Bob worked with the crew as they collected data on seals who were crossing the wide and featureless Sandy Plain, and spent lively evenings in the Aframe (a field camp constructed by the James Gang) discussing data and theories of animal navigation.

David Millar, 1967-1969

In May 1967, David Millar, fresh out of training in Toronto and Ottawa, arrived at his first posting, Sable Island. Outside of work at the weather station, David took an interest in the island’s environment and spent a lot of time walking and exploring, and developed two hobbies which he still enjoys – bird watching and photography. During his two summers, David occasionally assisted Dalhousie University’s Ian McLaren and his students in their studies of the Ipswich Sparrow.

Full Circle

In December 1963, Gordon LeBlanc began a one-year posting on Sable Island as a meteorological technician with MSC’s aerology program. The work was largely routine, with twice-daily launches of the upper air balloon and making detailed observations and measurements around the clock. On work days, there was little time to explore the island, so on a day off, station personnel might pack a sandwich and go for a long walk, or in the spring and summer ride their dependable horses, Rawin and Trigger.

Merlin MacAulay 1955-1956

In May 1955, after completing the 16-week course at the Upper Air Training School in Toronto, and then serving a few months in Sept-Îles, Quebec, Merlin MacAulay travelled to Sable Island on the government ship Lady Laurier to work as an upper air technician for the MSC. During Merlin’s stay, Fred Davis and a National Film Board of Canada crew visited to made a short documentary about Sable Island.

Win Trips to Sable Island with Kattuk Expeditions, 2023

A Sable Island Institute fundraising raffle for seats on a helicopter day-trip to Sable Island in early October 2023.

Now, it is about so much more – Lauren Hughes, February 2023

As we walked the network of horse trails… I was captivated by beetles, spiders, and the tiny sweat bee – newly recognizing the critical role that all of these creatures play in the island’s ecosystem.