One of the many boats built by Paul Poole proudly displayed by son, Terry. Photo courtesy of Iris Poole

I was born in Murray's Harbour, Labrador. When I was 12 years old I moved up to Lewis' Bay to live. Ever since I was a young boy I loved to make boats. My father, Fred Poole, was a skilled carpenter and a good hand at making boats. I learned to make boats by watching the old man. He loved to make boats and took great care and pride in his work. Those traits were handed down to me by my father along with the skill needed to build a boat. I made my first boat when I was 14 years old. It was a 13 foot punt. I loved every minute of building that boat. Almost every year after in my life I would build another boat. I sold most of the boats I built. Not only did I get pleasure in building a boat, but I also got paid for my work which was a big bonus. What more can a man ask for than to do something he loves and get paid for it at the same time!

I remember one year I built a 30 foot long boat for Gordon Acreman of Mary's Harbour. I got $250.00 for that boat. That was a good price in those days. On average I would get a hundred dollars or a little more for a motorboat that was on average 25 foot long. In those days building a boat was very hard work. You would have to go in the woods and cut your logs with an axe. Then you would have to haul the logs home by dog team. Then the real hard work would begin. All of your lumber and planks would have to be sawed with an old pitt saw. That sure was hard work and took a long time.

Model boat built by Paul Poole,   Photo courtesy of Christopher Poole

Over my lifetime I built 51 boats. That included motorboats, speedboats, punts and two jack knife boats. I enjoyed every minute of doing it. In 1991, I retired from the fishery. To pass away the time now, I make some model boats. I have built a 6 foot model boat along with a few smaller motorboats so far. Two of my boats are in Cartwright now. I am planning to build another model boat when the weather gets a bit warmer. I'm still an active man. I go in the woods. I also help out my wife with a nice bit of house work. I like to keep busy but I still miss the old days.