WATT SECTION

Watt Section was based on the shipbuilding Industry that was a large part of life on the Eastern Shore, during the days of the early settlers. Settlers worked as shipbuilders or loggers, directly in the product. Others were fisherman or farmers, and sold or bartered their wares.

Fishermen salted some of their catches; this was used as bait for further fishing, or shipped to other ports as food fish. Fish were common here at that time, such as Mackerels, Herring, Lobster, Crab, Cod, Haddock and Halibut. In the summer months the fisherman’s day started at 4:30 or 5 o'clock, they would either row or sail their boats to the fishing grounds. There they would handline for Cod, Haddock and Halibut. Set nets for Mackerels or herring, or set pots for Lobster and Crab. When they returned home later that day, the on shore chores would begin, such as cleaning nets, bait handline hooks, clean and put away their catch, or putting bait ready for the next day.

In the winter fisherman went to sea on large fishing boats, went to the woods as woodsmen, or as fur trappers, Some stayed away for weeks or months at a time, leaving the women and children with the chores of running the household and caring for whatever animals they had.

Handlining was the main part of a fisherman's catch; this method was used to catch large groundfish, such as Cod, Haddock and Halibut. A large hook was baited with chunks of Mackerels or Herring; the hook was attached to long heavy line that was lowered to the bottom. The fisherman would sea saw the line over the side of the boat, the up and down motion would attracted the fish to the bait. Hand over hand; He would then haul up the fish. Some fish weighed as much as 200 pounds, the fisherman would be a happy, but very tired man.

A farmers life was as hard as any fisherman’s, hours of work was long and hard, and as the fisherman, most farmers found other employment during the winter months.

There were many Widows/Widowers during this time, Woman died of childbirth as often as men died of employment accidents. Ships from other ports or returning from other ports often brought diseases as well.

Here are some websites:

Sheet Harbour Area 1901 Census
1911 Census
Nova Scotia Census
Nova Scotia Marrage Bonds
Sheet Harbour
Clan Logan
Helpard's of Watt Section