A Flashback from Bermuda: some links with Atlantic Canada

The above title may cause some readers to ask: What possible connection does Bermuda have with Atlantic Canada and much less with Tantramar? The short answer is a great deal. This conclusion is based, in part, on several vacations spent in Bermuda including a visit in March 2007.

Since this column is being written on location, a weather report is in order. Its a bright sunny day with the temperature a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius.

Bermuda is a fishhook-shaped collection of islands located in the Atlantic some 900 kms east of North Carolina. Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream that pass nearby, its agreeable climate is classified as subtropical. This means a frost, snow and ice-free environment can be expected. Accidentally discovered in 1503 by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez, it did not become a tourist haven until the late 19th century.

The beginning of the tourist industry in Bermuda is traceable in part to a Canadian source. In 1878 the Marquis of Lorne (1845-1914) was appointed governor general. His wife was Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

As a member of the royal family, Princess Louise was subjected to intense scrutiny by the media. Unfortunately, her extensive travels throughout Canada (including visits to New Brunswick) plus artistic achievements (she was a noted artist and sculptor) were often overlooked. Once dubbed the rebel princess, Princess Louise was openly criticized for daring to pursue a career outside the confines of the royal family.

In 1883, Princess Louise and the Marquis were involved in a serious accident. While travelling by horse-drawn sleigh from Rideau Hall to the Parliament Building, the horse became frightened, the driver lost control and the sleigh overturned. Although her husband was relatively unharmed, Princess Louise suffered bad injuries. As a result, she escaped the rigours of an Ottawa winter by recuperating . . . you guessed it, in Bermuda. The publicity surrounding this decision soon made the islands known as a preferred location for winter holidaying. Because of its proximity, wealthy Americans in particular began to flock to Bermuda. When Princess Louise was asked why she selected Bermuda, her reply was always: Because it is a place of eternal spring.

Today, there is one important reminder of Her Royal Highness in Bermuda. Overlooking a panoramic view of Hamilton harbour is the majestic Fairmont Princess Hotel. Princess Louise was present for the opening of the first hotel, situated on a nearby site, and gave permission for it to be named in her honour. Locally, it was destined to be called the pink palace. The present hotel is referred to simply as The Princess. There is a second Princess Hotel in Southampton Parish dating from 1959. It is also part of the Fairmont chain.

Another aspect of the Bermudian legacy of Princess Louise may be found in a collection of watercolours and sketches completed while she was convalescing. Upon her death in 1939, these works, along with others completed in Canada, were bequeathed to the National Art Gallery in Ottawa. In 1998 the Bermuda National Art Gallery was loaned a representative sampling of Princess Louises Bermudian art. It should be noted that the guest curator was Jocelyn Motyer Raymond, Mt. A class of 50.

A glance at a map of the North Atlantic reveals Bermudas strategic location. Long before it was discovered by Princess Louise, it was evolving as an important port for the British Navy. Following the American Revolution, the British recognized, in addition to Halifax, a second North American naval base was needed. In 1809, the British Admiralty began construction of a naval dockyard in Bermuda It was decommissioned in 1951 and now houses a Maritime museum, art gallery, craft market and upscale shopping mall.

Bonds between Bermuda and Halifax were further enhanced by the establishment of a mail link during the War of 1812.

In 1833 Samuel Cunards Halifax shipping firm was awarded a contract to provide mailboat service between the two points. In 1850 business increased and Cunard expanded the connection with a steam packet.

By 1913 there were four steamers serving the Halifax-Bermuda run. They were appropriately named: Cobequid, Caraquet, Chignecto and Chaleur.

Important though these developments were, they were overshadowed by the Halifax-Bermuda Submarine Cable in 1890. One Bermudian commentator Keith Archibald Forbes has summarized the importance of this event, For the first time in its history, Bermuda was no longer dependent on ships to carry messages. This launched Bermudas golden century of economic development and paved the way for its unique image in such areas as tourism, international banking, insurance and trade.

Links with the Tantramar began in a roundabout way. On the Isthmus of Chignecto, the Yorkshire settlers who followed the Acadians were almost all Wesleyan Methodists. Among them was a teenager William Black (1760-1834). At age 20, he became a Methodist preacher, and following his ordination, the superintendent of the Methodist Church in the region. Black appealed for the assistance of missionaries from England.

Methodism was fortunate of the person who first answered the call - Rev. Joshua Marsden (1777-1837). Following a successful eight-year stint on the Chignecto circuit, he was posted to Bermuda where he established a second Methodist outpost. He is still remembered by Marsden Methodist Church in Smiths Parish. Wesley Methodist Church in Hamilton is frequently served by clergy from the Maritimes. The current minister is Rev. Jeffrey Chant, a native of Truro, NS.

One of Marsdens major achievements was a fascinating book entitled Narrative of a Mission to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Somers Islands. (The latter was a name once applied to Bermuda.) By bringing Methodism to Bermuda, Marsden laid the groundwork for a continuing association with the Tantramar. This was to flourish following the establishment of the Mount Allison Wesleyan Male Academy in 1839, and the evolution of a degree-granting college in 1862.

An important factor in fostering the Bermuda connection, was the creation of the Eastern British America Methodist Conference. This took place in Halifax on July 17, 1855. Its jurisdiction included the three Maritime provinces plus Newfoundland and Bermuda. Following Church Union in 1925, the Bermuda Synod continued as part of the Maritime Conference of the new United Church - with its headquarters in Sackville.

1839 also marked the creation of the Anglican Diocese of Newfoundland and Bermuda. Later in the century, the two islands became separate jurisdictions, each with its own bishop. Today the Anglican Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity dominates the skyline of Hamilton. Not well known is the fact that this impressive structure has an important link with Nova Scotia. In 1884, the first church on the site was destroyed by fire. Two years later the foundation for the present cathedral was laid. The new structure was constructed largely from local stone; however, additional building stone was imported from quarries in Caen, Normandy and Nova Scotia.

During previous visits I had become aware of this use of Nova Scotian stone but no one seemed to know the precise source. This past week, I spent a profitable morning in the Bermuda Archives researching documents concerning the building of the cathedral. Thanks to help from archivist Karla M. Hayward and her assistant Lee-Ann Liles, I found the answer to my query.

The stone came from the most probable source - the famous Wallace Nova Scotia quarry. In Oct. 1885, the trading schooner J. E. Pettis arrived in Hamilton with a load of Wallace stone of excellent quality. It was immediately carted to the building site and was used principally in the four great piers and arches that carry the weight of the tower. The completed cathedral (see illustration was consecrated on St. Thomas day, May 11, 1911.

The impact of Bermudian students at Mount Allison has long been significant. In 1905, Arthur Motyer I (representing Bermuda) became one of the first on Mount Allisons long list of Rhodes Scholars. Motyer later graduated from McGill in engineering and served in the Canadian Artillery during the First World War. He was killed by a snipers bullet in 1916. Another Bermudian, his nephew Arthur Motyer II, was named Mount Allisons 24th Rhodes Scholar in 1945.

Motyer later returned to his alma mater as professor of English, university administrator and director of Windsor Theatre. Significantly, from 1970 to 1994, he was the first holder of the William Purvis Chair in English Literature. This chair was endowed by a Bermudian benefactor William S. Purvis in memory of his father Rev. William Purvis, Mt. A 1905.

A tangible reminder of the long-standing link between Bermuda and Mount A is exemplified by the Bermuda House residence. It was officially opened in 1984, following extensive renovations of two historic buildings. Erected in 1842, they were once owned by John Hammond, noted Canadian artist and first head of Mount As department of fine arts. During the summer, the complex often functions as a small conference centre, reverting during the academic year to a home away from home for students from Bermuda.

An attraction of vacationing in Bermuda is the opportunity to meet, sometimes by accident, former students and graduates of Mount A. Heres an interesting example: One member of the staff at Willowbank Resort - where we are presently staying - is Gordon Shaw Mt. A. 85. The Shaw family may well have established a Mount Allison record, as all are alumni! In addition to Gordon, there is: Ronald Shaw 72, Dr. George G. Shaw 73, Jeanie Shaw Allison 79 and Marjorie Shaw Robbins 80.

Just yesterday, my wife and I were about to visit the Maritime Museum at the Dockyard when I met a former student, Charlotte Brooks Cook 83 - formerly from Upper Sackville. We had not seen each other for over a decade! Charlotte is now coordinator of the International Baccalaureate program at Parkview Education Centre in Bridgewater, N.S.

As part of the continuing link between Bermuda and the Maritimes, it should be noted that most universities in the Maritimes also claim Bermudians as alumni. Acadia and Dalhousie Universities in particular have attracted large numbers of students from Bermuda. In addition, Mount St. Vincent University has an important cooperative venture with Bermuda College. Through the medium of MSVUs well-developed program in distance education, its possible for Bermudian students to undertake university credit courses at home. This is achieved through teleconferencing, Internet contact, and access to MSVUs web site.

Its a long way back to the late 19th century and the advent of tourism in Bermuda. One of the earliest visitors of fame was American author and humourist Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain (1835-1910). He will be given the last word on the lure of Bermuda. On a first visit in 1877, he wrote, A few days among the breezy groves, the flower gardens, the coral caves, and the lovely vistas of blue water that curve in and out . . . are all calculated to restore ones energy.

This conclusion is equally applicable 130 years later in 2007!

Ideas for or comments about Tantramar Flashback, may be addresed to Bill Hamilton in care of the Sackville Tribune Post, 80 Main Street, Sackville NB. E4L 4A7 or by e-mail tribune@nbnet.nb.ca.