Modern Odyssey brought to end by police —
Perilous crossing to N.S. made in yacht
The June 20, 1933 Guardian has a fascinating account of two Charlottetown boys, aged 16 and 10, who decided they wanted to "get out and see the country" and set out to do just that.
The five-day journey, which The Guardian of 1933 likens to the Odyssey but might also be compared to the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, included setting the younger boy on the handlebars of a bicycle, hitch-hiking with motorists and stealing racing yacht.
We really can't do it justice, please read on:
After an Odyssey extending over a period of five days, during which they covered several hundred miles, two runaway boys, Gilbert Moore, 16, and Billie Dowling, 10, who wanted to "get out and see the country" were sent home from Port Elgin by the RCMP. In the course of their wanderings, the boys covered several hundred miles on bicycle, by yacht, by automobile, on foot, and by train, and had some perilous experiences.
On Wednesday afternoon, the lads cycled to Borden. Dowling riding on the handle bars, but on arrival there they found that the ferry had made its final crossing to Tormentine for the day. They at once set out to cycle back to Charlottetown, but at Crapaud they deserted the "wheel" and accepted a "lift" back to the city on a motor truck. Instead of going to their homes, the lads proceeding in the direction of the Park located the yacht "Zenith", the property of Mr. Frederick Morris. About 1 o'clock Thursday morning, the young mariners set sail for Nova Scotia. After reaching the mouth of the harbour they set their course by the Point Prim light, and at daybreak reached the Point. With the hills of Nova Scotia in sight dimly in the distance, the youthful sailors began their voyage across the strait in the sixteen-foot racing yacht. When about half way across they began sailing west, and reached a point near Baie Verte before turning back. They spent Thursday night on board the yacht, and Friday morning about 11 o'clock reached the Long River near River John on the Nova Scotia coast. After beaching the yacht the lads went ashore, and proceeded on foot to River John. As they desired to reach New Brunswick, the lads hitch-hiked westward toward Port Elgin. From time to time they received lifts from passing motorists. They spent the nights and got their meals at farm houses, where they gave fictitious names, and informed the occupants that they belonged to River John. While separated near Port Elgin yesterday morning Dowling and Moore were located by the RCMP, were taken to Cape Tormentine and were put on board the car ferry, and sent home. They arrived last evening on the 6:30 train.
Surprise has been expressed by those who know the Straits, that the yacht ever reached the Nova Scotia shore, and the opinion is generally held that the boys were singularly fortunate in the weather they encountered.
"Were you sea sick?" Dowling was asked by police.
"A little," he replied.
"Why did you take this little fellow with you?" Moore was asked.
"He was wanting to come all along."
"Did you ever sail a boat before?"
"No. I just read about it. I held the rope and kept heading her into the wind, so it would not turn over."
The only reason given by the older boy for the exploit was that he wanted to get out and see the country. He stated that they saw a large number of lobster fishermen on the Straits.
The boys were allowed to go to their homes last night. The case is still under investigation by the City and Mounted Police.
Moore is a tow-headed, ruddy youth of about medium size, while Dowling though diminutive is a lad of sturdy appearance.
