 One of the most famous pirates to sail into the Gulf of St Lawrence was Bartholomew Bart Roberts, also known as Black Bart. He was considered to be the most ruthless and successful pirate of the Golden Age.
He first sailed into Canadian waters in 1720, where he set about robbing some of the New England fishing fleets that were in Newfoundland waters. Next, he crossed the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and captured an English merchant ship and three French fishing vessels. It was said that he would arrive with drums beating, trumpets blaring, black flags flying and cannons firing. His arrival was often met with little resistance, for he claimed that causing fear was his greatest weapon. His reputation as a pirate who showed no mercy was often enough to cause those in his way to retreat. He was blamed for destroying wharves, burning warehouses after robbing them and sinking the ships that he had looted. He raided many of the small coastal fishing villages in the Gulf of St Lawrence including the Bay of Gaspe. He destroyed fisheries, and tortured captives. He stole ships and in a cash-starved economy, he was able to convince or force some of the local fishermen to join his crew. He considered attacking the Fortress of Louisbourg but quickly recognized the vulnerability of such a move. Instead, he sailed into their waters, aware that targeting the bustling and profitable shipping lanes in Atlantic Canada would yield greater rewards. These shipping lanes were teeming with ships carrying valuable supplies from the Gaspe Coast. To read more about him and other pirates who sailed through Gaspesian waters, follow this link... Pirates of the Gaspe Coast
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 Well it was a nice little surprise to see that my book had become a bestseller on Amazon!
It is also good to know that there are so many people who have an interest in stories from the Coast or have a connections to the Gaspe, whether through family or because they had visited it. The Gaspe Coast is a place of stories, legends and folklore and my research to find these stories has become a writing adventure, which I hope to continue. So thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen because a storyteller needs others to make the story a good one!  It is done… another book published!
After several months of research, writing, editing, and re-editing, book formatting, cover design, and re-editing it all over again, it’s finished! It is a treasure trove collection of stories, about the master shipbuilder James Day, the famous pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, from Gaspe who survived the Titanic. It includes the story of Prudent Landry, the strong man from St. Omer who travelled all over the world and was in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In this collection of stories, we meet the amazing local people like Aunt Bessie from Grand Cascapedia and the artist Tennyson Johnson from Gaspe. There’s the story a young woman from Nouvelle who became a nun, a teacher and a fascinating storyteller. And of course, there are others. These are stories about courage, creativity, and resilience, and as I wrote about them, they reminded me of the enduring spirit of what it is to be a Gaspesian. And in writing it, I learned so much more about what life was for those who came before us here on the Gaspe Coast. It also made me realize that knowing more about this place that I still call home is, for sure, a very good thing. The paperback book is now on sale on Amazon and they have chosen to give it a discount because it is a new book. I will also have copies for locals and I will be putting some at the Boutique Shop in New Richmond this summer. Here is the link for book on Amazon... https://www.amazon.ca/Whisper.../dp/B0F8BDWKX3/ref=sr_1_5....  The Gaspe Coast is more than just a place to live or visit. It is a living memory shaped by the wind, sea and time.
Nestled between rugged shores and forested Shick Shock Mountains lies a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. From the master shipbuilder James Day to the pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, a Titanic survivor, their legacies are woven into the fabric of this region’s proud history. In this collection of stories, meet the extraordinary individuals who once lived on the Coast, including artists, writers, adventurers, settlers, musicians, builders and storytellers. Each of them made a unique and enduring contribution to the Gaspe. Their stories, rich with courage, creativity and resilience, remind us of the enduring spirit of Gaspesians. This book is a tribute to some of the fascinating history of the Coast and to the people who helped to make it unforgettable. |
StorytellerCollector of the stories, legends and folklore of the Gaspe Coast. Archives
June 2025
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