The Loss of the Waterwitch

On November 29, 1875 the schooner Waterwitch was heading to her home port of Cupids from St. John's when it encountered a raging storm and ran aground in the Horrid Gulch, just north of Pouch Cove.

A group of brave Pouch Cove men went off into the storm and performed a heroic rescue which included lowering Mr. Alfred Moores down the cliff by a rope in order to carry the people to safety. He was ultimately awarded a medal and diploma by the Royal Humane Society.

Click the sign to read a history of the Waterwitch as reproduced from a History of the Town of Pouch Cove, July 1978, by Marilyn Sullivan and Kathie Billard.

    Horrid Gulch

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This is the site of the Waterwitch shipwreck. 

Can you imagine what it was like to be clinging to the rocks during a raging blizzard?

Or think of the bravery of the rescuers, especially Mr. Alfred Moores, as he was lowered down the cliff. 

In 2015, The Pouch Cove Heritage Society, with the generous assistance of the people of Pouch Cove and surrounding area, produced a short film - 'The Wreck of the Waterwitch'.

A reenactment of the heroic rescue at Horrid Gulch over 140 years ago. We are pleased to share this piece of history with you and hope you enjoy.
 

Directed By

Ken Pittman

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Rescue Re-enactment

Technical Rope & Rescue Inc.

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Camera & Digital Production

Darrell Redmon

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Research & Consultant

Po Chun Lau

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Illustrations By

Ken Pittman

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Remote Camera

Bob Brink

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Still Photography

Po Chun Lau

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Digital Studio Services

Bright White Productions

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Site Preparation 

Roy Noseworthy

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Voice of Alfred Moores Jr.

Recorded By MacEdward Leach (1950s)

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Commentary

 Todd LeGrow, Colin LeGrow

 Roy Noseworthy, Ken Pittman

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Music

The Waterwitch Song - performed by Joedy Wall 

published by James Murphy (1905)

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