It usually took until late October or early Novrmber to get the fish dried and stored back aboard the schooner again. Then you left for St. John's or wherever they took supplies in the spring, to unload the fish and get paid. That would be the first bit of money you'd get since you started in the spring. Then everyone would buy their food and clothing and whatever necessary items they could afford for the coming winter months. Prices were reasonably low then and you could buy quite a lot for a small amount of money compared to nowadays. My pay was always about $45 and I thought it was a lot of money then. I could buy a dress for $2.98, a pair of shoes for nearly the same, and a coat for $15. You could fit yourself out with that much money.

I went to Labrador for four summers as cook on the schooners. The first two summers was with Skipper John Hennessey on the E.J. Hennessey. Then I missed a summer. I worked in St. John's and went home again in the fall. That was during the blackout. The next spring I went with Skipper James Furlong on the L. Morton. She was a bit smaller schooner and carried nine men. There were ten men on the Hennessey.

After that I never went back to Labrador, but did like most other girls - got married and raised my family. That's over 50 years ago. My husband and I often talk of them times on the Labrador. There's not much of it now but the memories and a bedspread I worked on in the few spare minutes I had on my last voyage. I've kept it ever since but haven't used it for years. It's just a keepsake.