Tuesday September 6 – Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell

Our moose "in the wild"!

Another beautiful day in Newfoundland- sunny, around 70 degrees though hazy much of the day.  Driving north, two animals were spotted in the distance – Moose!  Stopping the RV, we headed back and caught glimpses of what looked like a Moose cow and calf.  Even with the telephoto lens, it’s tough to prove it but here it is!

The Grenfell Museum

 We drove on to St. Anthony, the largest town to the north and the home of the Grenfell Historic Properties. Dr. Wilfred Grenfell is a national hero, as he was a British doctor who joined the “Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen” and first came to Labrador in 1892.  At that time, there were about 20,000 inhabitants of Labrador and Northwestern Newfoundland, but no doctors nor medical facilities.

Dr. Wilfred Grenfell

Dr. Grenfell made it his life’s mission to rectify this, as the fisherman and native populations lived in abject poverty with no medical care, schools, or social services.  He opened his first hospital in Battle Harbour in 1893, acquired his first of many hospital ships (the Strathcona I) to serve the small coastal communities, and went on fund raising trips in Britain and the United States to raise money for his Mission.  Additionally, he was an avid sportsman and became a pastor, so that he would minister to the populations after treating them medically.  

Dr. Grenfell's Hospital Ships

Dr. Grenfell's Home

Grenfell porch

 He married a wealthy American, Anne MacClanahan in 1909. Together they expanded medical care and social services throughout these vast, primitive areas.  Doctor Grenfell was knighted, and went on to open many hospitals and nursing stations throughout his career.  Anne died in 1938, and Sir Wilfred followed her 2 years later.  There is an excellent museum in St. Anthony across from the hospital he founded, and their home above the hospital is also open for visitors.  It’s truly amazing what one dedicated individual can do for humanity!

Tapestry in Grenfell House

 After St. Anthony, we headed north to the Viking RV Park, and stopped at the Dark Tickle Store (“tickle” is the Newfoundland term for a waterway between islands), where there is also a small museum display celebrating the French Captaine Liberge de Granchain. 

Owner of the Dark Tickle with Captaine de Granchain

Last stop before setting camp was the small coastal community of Quirpon, which is pronounced Car-poon.

Quirpon Harbor