1

Captain Whelan Was Quick In Getting the Daisy Out To Sea, Searching Out Survivors.
1929
unknown

2

The Burin area had felt an earthquake shock about 5:00 pm. It was two and a half hours before the tidal wave came catching people unaware of what was happening around them. Many children had already been put to bed, mothers were tending the evening chores and others had gathered in homes for a game of cards or to lend an ear to the latest news. After the tremor earlier in the day, many men had exchanged their thoughts and experiences of what had happened to cause the commotion.
The Honourable George Bartlett, a merchant and a Member of the House of Assemble for Burin District was in his office when the earth tremor shook the community. No one had any experience of a Tidal Wave and thus, as others, continued with his work. Around 7:30 he visited the Newfoundland Customs Cutter "Daisy" (picture) which was tied up at the government wharf. Being friends of Captain John Whelan and Inspector Dee, Mr. Bartlett decided to stay and play a game of cards. When aboard only a few minutes, a sailor rushed to the cabin and shouted that the whole town was sinking. The men ran out on deck and found the cutter was floating in over the wharf. All they could hear was a frightful rendering and cracking sound as buildings were dragged from their foundations. When the sea had subsided and the ship level with the wharf, Bartlett leaped ashore. With such turmoil around, Captain Whelan prepared the Daisy for sea to search for survivors.

3

Honorable George A. Bartlett
1930
Burin, Dominion of Newfoundland

4

Pictured is Mr. Bartlett who was on board "S.S. Daisy" after tea on Monday night when the steamer was lying at the government wharf. Someone on the wharf made an outcry, and he rushed onto the wharf. He saw the water receded first and then come in with a bore. The bore collapsed and the "Daisy" struck bottom. He immediately went around the harbor to his own premises where he found that his buildings were submerged.

5

Mr. Bartlett's Shop Lifted and Deposited 200 Feet Away.
November, 1929
Burin, Dominion of Newfoundland

6

Mr. Bartlett's shop, measuring 30 by 60 feet, was lifted bodily and deposited 200 feet away, but most of the stock in it was intact.

7

Remembering the Tidal Wave
2005
Great Burin,Newfoundland, Canada

8

A picture of Step A Side: Resident of Step a Side, Captain W.H. Foote, lost his stores, traps and all his fishing gear. Other residents, espcially Mr. and Mrs. Inkpen who were ill, were removed to safety just minutes before their home was swept away by the dangerous wave.

9

Wreckage Left After the Tidal Wave
November, 1929
Burin, Dominion of Newfoundland

10

A story as told by Mr. Bugden who ran a small shop in Port au Bras, 1929 (Part I)

It was about four-thirty and school had closed for the day. The teacher was in the store with me. We were both sitting and chatting on the counter. Suddenly the counter began to tremble. We both rushed for the door. As we did so, articles in the shelves began to move. As we ran down the few steps, my first thought was that the foundation of the store was giving way. I looked under and everything was quiet.
A man was passing with two buckets of water. He laid them down and the water appeared to move as though it was being boiled. The time occupied from the start of the tremor until it was over was approximately four mintues or less.
I made my way home around six o'clock and had supper. I would have stayed but I was curious to find out if there had been such an occurrence anywhere else than in our own locality. Around eight o'clock a crowd had gathered in my store, some standing and explaining what it felt like to them and what had happened around his own home. Others listening and waiting to have their say, when a woman rushed in calling her husband to "Come quick, the water is all gone out of the harbour and all the boats and schooners are on their sides." We all rushed out, everyone for his own home or to see what had happened in the harbour.

11

Bartlett's Store Turned 180degrees by the Wave
November, 1929
Burin, Dominion of Newfoundland

12

Mr. Bugden' s Story Part II

When I reached the road there was not a person to be seen. All I could hear was a dull roar such as rushing water would make. I ran for the road that leads around the harbour. As I reached a path that led to another home, I caught sight of water rushing towards me. I stopped momentarily and wondered whether I should proceed across the bridge which spanned a brook, or whether I should retreat. The water was then touching the under part of the bridge and moving forward in great folds. I made a sudden dash across the bridge and to higher ground, and as I did so I glanced over my shoulder and saw the bridge flung up on end. A house approximately thirty feet by forty feet was being submerged. As the water reached the lower window sills the house was lifted and floated off its foundation and carried out the harbour on the receding wave. I thought of my own wife and child, wondering if they were clear of the water. I started to run again, only to be stopped by a father who asked me to put his child over the fence and on to higher ground. I did so and ran on again.
I reached higher land and as I ran a girl of twelve was standing in the road. A large store had been moved off its foundation and together with large sticks and other wreckage was blocking her path. I took her by the hand and led her to a place where she could easily reach the home of a relative. As I proceeded I was again stopped in a depression in the road which was under water. I then went to open a gate, but it was barred, and I couldn't find the latch. In my excitement and scare, I tore the gate open and the latch with it. When I finally got within sight of my home, my legs appeared to have lost all power of moving further until I had rested.

13

Cries for Help Went Unaswered
November, 1929
Port au Bras, Dominion of Newfoundland

14

Mr. Bugden's Story - Part III

It was then I had an opportunity to look about me. There was no moon at the time but in the darkness I could see wreckage of all descriptions. There was one that I shall never forget. In my mind I can still hear the voice of a man crying for help. He was on a piece of wreckage. I distinctly heard him calling "Save me." He called twice and the third time was as though he was drowning. There I was, unable to help - there was not boat of any kind that I could reach. His body was never found. His sister, who had left her own home to visit him, was picked up later in the night near the place where his home had last stood.