(click here to find Martin's Point on the map)
The wreck of the S.S. Ethie can be found at Martin's Point. There's a parking area with stairs built down to the rocky beach. Martin's Point is in Gros Morne National Park on The Viking Trail between Sally's Cove and Western Brook Pond.
On December 11, 1919, in a violent storm, the Captain intentionally ran the Ethie aground at Martin's Point. The passengers and crew were rescued, with the help of locals that witnessed the grounding, by means of a boson's chair and a rope. A baby was sent ashore in a mail bag.
Reporting of the story at the time was sensationalized and included accounts of a heroic dog. All 92 people aboard were rescued with the help of locals and were put up in local homes.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
Remains of the Ethie can be found along a surprisingly long stretch of the beach. The large engine block and boiler are still quite prominent. It is a beautiful stretch of beach with really wonderful rock formations. With all the rocks it is scary to think this was the safest place to ground the ship.
There is an excellent dinner theatre that tells the story of the Ethie in Cow Head at the Shallow Bay Motel. It is performed by actors from The Gros Morne Theatre Festival, which is right next to the Motel. The S.S. Ethie is their longest running show, buy your tickets in advance from the ticket office in Cow Head.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
