Merritt Lyndon Fernald: 1929 Trip
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This was Fernald's final trip to Newfoundland. His travelling companions were, once again,
Bayard H. Long and John
Milton Fogg, Jr. [archived file - may be slow to load].
After arriving in Curling, the party learned that the
coastal boat that they had hoped to take north was FAR behind schedule. To occupy their time, they
explored the region of Morley's Pond near Mt. Moriah, and then travelled a short way up the
Humber River to the imposing scree and cliffs of Mt. Patricia (then locally known as "Hannah's
Head" or "Breakfast Head" [image] -
and now, the "Man in the Mountain"). To Fernald's great surprise, the rocks were all "limestone",
and "limestone plants" abounded. The opposite [ie. Marble Mountain] side of the river was also profitably explored.
The party then journeyed by small boat to the magnificent "limestone" scree slopes of Middle Arm, Bay of
Islands, stopping at Cutwater Head, Penguin Head, and Raglan Head. Tremendous collections
of "limestone species" were made, but time was far too short.
The missing coastal boat soon arrived and took the party
north to Old Port au Choix. The collecting of interesting "limestone species" on the Port au Choix
and Point Riche peninsulas was spectacular, and the party filled their presses repeatedly.
A significant side trip was made to the flanks and summits of Doctors Hill, where mostly alpine species
were collected.
Presses full, the party finally headed south to Bonne Bay, and set up shop at Woody Point. Countless
collections were made at as
many places around Bonne Bay as time and stamina permitted, and many mountains were climbed. The "limestone" cliffs
and screes of the East Arm proved to be particularly interesting and productive.
An arduous ascent of Killdevil Mountain, on the Eastern Arm of the Bay, proved somewhat disappointing until
the party came upon some areas of "limestone" rock near the summit.
Especially interesting to Fernald was the Lomond River estuary, and some of the other river flats and
estuaries within Bonne Bay.
On a perfectly calm day, the party sailed out from Woody Point, and south along the high cliffs towards
Trout River, making some useful collections in the area now known as "Green Gardens".
Stopping again at the Bay of Islands, on their way home, Fernald and Long revisted "Hanna's Head" and other
places in the Humber Gorge, to collect the fall flowers. Then, after a quick trip to Petries to collect grape ferns
(ie. Botrychium sp.), the trip concluded.
It was the last time that Fernald travelled to Newfoundland, but what a tremendous trip it was!
REFERENCE: Fernald (1933)
[Page last updated: November 11, 2021]
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