The M.V. Christmas Seal

As the 20th century wore on, treatment centers and sanatoria were built. But Newfoundland's population was widely scattered over 6000 miles of coastline. There were 1200 settlements in Newfoundland with between 50 and 300 people. The only way to reach these people was by boat.

In 1947, a boat was bought from the US government for $14,500. She had been used at the Argentia Naval Base in Newfoundland. The boat was 111 feet long and 104 tons. She was outfitted with x-ray machines and other medical equipment. The sale of Christmas Seals (colourful stamps) was one way the Newfoundland TB Association raised money. The boat was given the new name the M.V. Christmas Seal. For the next 23 years she travelled around Newfoundland providing free x-rays and other medical services for the people of Newfoundland. Geraldine Rubia, who worked on the boat, wrote a poem about it. The poem mentions some of the work other than x-rays carried out by the M.V. Christmas Seal. It also tells how the boat met her end. Here are some stanzas from the poem:

The M.V. Christmas Seal

Close on five hundred died some years
Of the dreaded scourge TB
When a new association
Was formed by Rotary
But just to reach the harbours
And uncover this disease
Could only be accomplished
By a sturdy boat with ease.

They got her in Argentia at
The U.S. Naval Base
She stayed in search and rescue
In a different kind of race
Renamed the M.V. Christmas Seal
Marked by the double-barred cross
For twenty-three years she dogged the foe
Along our rocky coast.

(Chorus)
This is the M.V. Christmas Seal
In Hermitage today
So come on board just as you are
For your free chest x-ray
The nurses are here to give BCG
We'll test your water too
And if you have a handicap
There's someone to talk with you.