The following paper was written around 1974 by James V McCarthy. At the time of the writing, he was enrolled in Memorial University as a freshman, studying Newfoundland history. He was born in 1892, the son of Thomas McCarthy and Anastasia Fitzgerald.

Brief Account of the Resettlement of Red Island,Placentia Bay, by J.V. McCarthy, J.P., Merchant,formerly of Red Island, Placentia Bay, now of St. John's.

Red Island was first settled in 1811. The first settlers were Thomas McCarthy and a man Tobin. Thomas McCarthy was the great- grandfather of J.V. McCarthy, who was among the last settlers to leave Red Island under the famous Resettlement Plan.

The first McCarthy landed on Red Island in 1811, the last McCarthy left in 1968, one hundred and fifty-seven years later.

During the years when Red Island was inhabited, the chief industry was the fishery. The fishermen built their own boats - called the Western Boat. The fishermen also made their own cod traps and anything else that was necessary for the fishery. This was the day of "iron men and wooden ships". The fishermen were Jack of all Trades.

Red Island, like all other islands in Placentia Bay, had everything in season. Plenty of home grown vegetables, plenty of milk, etc. At one time most all of the families on Red Island kept cattle, fowl, etc. There was also a fair amount of game such as rabbits and partridge available on Red Island. Berries of all kinds were available in season. Sea birds were also very plentiful until oil spills prevented them from coming to land. All in all anybody who was willing to work could bring up a family on Red Island as well as in any town in Newfoundland.

At one time the population of Red Island was around the five hundred mark. Through the years, the population began to decrease; many going to take up residences elsewhere, mostly in the United States of America. During the hard Thirties and during the Commission Government regime, under a land-settlement scheme, many of our people moved to Midland, Brown's Arm and other places to take up farming, as this was the policy of the Commission of Government.

After the setback of the Thirties, the population of Red Island settled down to approximately three hundred people or sixty families. This population held until resettlement, which took place around 1966 at Red Island. Families began moving from Red Island in 1966 and by the Fall of 1968 the Island was deserted. There were many sad hearts and many tears when it became evident that all families had to go.

Most of the Red Island people settled at Placentia; others at Southern Harbour, Marystown and Trepassey. Ten families took homes either to Placentia or Southern Harbour, but many of us had to leave a lifetime's work behind; homes and fishing premises which were built and owned by those of us who had to leave their property behind. What a heartbreaking ordeal to have to go through. Many of us would never own another home. As for those of us who did secure homes elsewhere, the money that was given for moving couldn't go, in some cases, even halfway towards the purchase of a home. For example, a family of five would get $2,000 and a family of eight, $2,600. These were ridiculous amounts given to request people to resettle and start life over again.

The story of resettlement will never be written, particularly in the way it was planned. Those in authority at the time of the inception of resettlement haven't very much to be proud of. Not one of them to my memory even raised their voice to say, forget the program unless you are prepared to make a better deal with the people to be resettled. They could have put it off for another while. There were a few good points in resettlement, but not enough to outweigh the damage done to the majority.

Many of the fishermen have gone back to Red Island to carry out the fishery, as this was the only work they were brought up to. Although the Resettlement Plan paid people to move their furniture, etc., one thing they couldn't move was the fishing grounds around the Islands. For years to come these fishermen from Red Island and the other Islands will have to go back to their favourite fishing grounds.

For those who were residents of Red Island - and many of them have gone back for a holiday since 1968 - the Red Island of 1968 and the Red Island of 1974 - what a sight! Church and schools are gone. Most of the homes that were left, a wreck. Fishery premises falling down. The memory of the past would bring many a heartache for the beautiful place that was once our home.

There is a great history behind these Islands of Placentia Bay, as well as all other Islands of Newfoundland, or as we say today, the Province of Newfoundland. Will the story ever be written so that future generations can read and memorize what those people who inhabited these Islands for over a century did and what a part they played to lay the corner stone for future generations?