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The Haddock Family
Page 3

As the legend goes, it was a stormy winter night with strong southerly winds and blowing snow. Visibility, therefore, would have been greatly reduced. The doctor was in a small sailing boat, accompanied by a young man in his twenties named Bidgood (or Bedgood). Two sons and four daughters were born to Joseph and Elizabeth Bedgood of Fortune between 1860 and 1870. George, born in 1860, would have been 22 in 1882 and could very well have been with Dr. Haddock. The second son, James Edward was born in 1870 and would only have been 12 years old at the time of the tragedy. Therefore, it is most likely that George was the one with Dr. Haddock.

Map of Brunette Harbour They apparently missed the point at Fish Head on the eastern side of the harbour. It seems that the storm forced the boat onto the rocks in a small cove on the western side of the harbour entrance. This cove, surrounded by high cliffs, is where the wrecked boat and Bidgood's body were found.

Dr. Haddock's body was found on the shore about a mile farther in. There were no houses on that side of the harbour so his body was not found until the following morning. His head was cut pretty badly, indicating that he may have taken a beating from the stormy sea. Stories say that Haddock could 'swim like a fish', but whether he swam to the point where he was found, or was driven in by the waves, is unknown.

Did Dr. Haddock swim through the rough, frigid waters until he could go no farther? Or did the violent waves sweep him from the boat and hurl him, unconscious, onto the shore? Did he die from his injuries, or from hypothermia? If he was battered by the sea, he could have sustained internal injuries as well.

The stories indicate that from the position of the doctor's body, he may have swum into the harbour and dragged himself ashore. Could this have been a desperate attempt to seek help? The truth of this mystery, unfortunately, died with Dr. Haddock and his young companion.

There are conflicting stories as to the exact date of Dr. Haddock's demise. Stories handed down cite 1890 or 1892. However, the burial records of the Fortune United Church (formerly Methodist) show that: 'December 7, 1882; George M. Haddock; drowned; age 46.' It is most likely that Joseph G. Haddock and George M. Haddock are the same person, particularly as there is no record of any other Haddock living in Fortune at any time. The age fits, for he would have been 21 at the time of his marriage. Names have been known to be recorded wrong. According to oral history, Dr. Haddock's body was found on the shore at Brunette, making it very likely that this is the same man.

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Town of Fortune

The Haddock FamilyPage 3

The Haddock Family
Page 3