On the night of December 7, 1926 there was a big snow storm from the North East with high winds. The Emperor of St. John was on its way to Guysborough, Nova Scotia with a crew of twenty six men to pick up a load of pulpwood to bring back to Montreal, Quebec. The vessel was anchored near the wharf at Ballantyne’s Cove hoping to be sheltered from the wind. Just before midnight a storm warning came over the radio. The captain decided to lift anchor and head to the Strait of Canso but the wind was blowing so hard the vessel grounded a few hundred feet from this shore. There was no loss of life. The only thing that can be seen today is part of the boiler above water. The winter of 1926 must have been interesting for this community. The local people helped in every way they could. The insurance company decided to not try to refloat until the spring because of the big ice moving in for the winter. Six crew members stayed on board all winter to keep the boilers going. That required fresh water that local people hauled with their horses. The local people also helped to feed the remaining six crew members all winter, as well as entertained them by playing cards. It is said everyone had a lot of fun because the crew were French speaking. Today this community is much the same, everyone helping each other. The value of the vessel at the time of loss was $80 000.00. 

Marsh Road – At the intersection of Marsh Road with the 337 highway, travelers will find a magnificent view of St. George’s Bay, along with the following information about the geological history of the area.

Fishing has been an important economic and social activity in this community for over 135 years.  Between May and September, lobsters and various species of ground fish are harvested in the waters of St. George’s Bay and Northumberland Strait.  Fishing activities reach a peak in early fall as hundreds of fishermen from Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and various parts of Nova Scotia use this wharf as a point of departure and landing for tuna fishing expeditions.