S.S. MEIGLE SECURED BY GOVERNMENT
For Convict Ship
The S.S. Meigle which has been laying up at the dry
dock pier for some months past, has been utilized by the government to
serve as a convict ship. The Meigle has had her bunkers replenished for
the purpose, and she will likely move down steam tomorrow to a permanent
anchorage. As far as can be learned several prisoners who are in the
lock-up will be sent on board to-morrow [sic].
The Evening Telegram
October 24, 1932
The trite saying “Up Hinders” that became a local and
very popular cant was, in fact, an order uttered by a coach of a
visiting football team to St. John’s. In the summer of 1931, the H.M.S.
Barwick came into St. John’s. While the ship was in port, a game of
football was arranged whereby the ship’s team played against a city
all-star eleven. The navy coach gave his full backs an order to move up
field by the phrase “Up hinders”. Some local wag heard the order several
times that evening and turned it into the popular cant that became a
standard expression of approval in Newfoundland folklore vocabulary.
In the year 1933, most of the rioters had served out
their sentences and were released from confinement. The Newfoundland
Constabulary had been increased to more than double the size in
manpower. The creation of the auxiliary force known as Specials was well
trained and many of the recruits were admitted into the “regulars”
ranks. The policing of St. John’s and the country was swell organized
and disturbances were now minimal. On June 30, 1933, the S.S. Meigle was
decommissioned as a Prison Ship and converted into a Salt Bulk Storage
Hull, and left moored in harbour…
Wallace Furlong
The Seniors’ News
January 1983 |