Libby & Bob Harding

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Libby and Brian were having lunch at the quality Inn in St. Johns with her family June 12th 2009 when Bob Hardy come over and said, I over -heard you talking about the Kyle and recognized us from the website thru a few emails he had sent us in the past. He told us a great story about his Family business and Captain Guy Earle.

Captain Guy Earle with Brother Fred Earle and schooner crew from Carbonear including Capt. Steve Dowden entered Battle Harbour during the summer of 1954 on the Lila B. Boutlier. They were prospecting for salt fish as their business of freighting and fish trading was in a growing period.

The schooner approached the wharf and mercantile premises of Baine Johnson and Co. Ltd and my Father Herbert (Bert) Hardy who was manager had to request that Guy and Co. anchor the schooner. A company manager could not have a competitive buyer tied to his premises and conducting business. Capt Guy was not impressed and informed my Dad that he would have his job and if possible buy the Baine Johnson Co. premises.

The following winter while working in St. John's my Dad was informed that the Battle Harbour branch had been sold to the Earle's from Carbonear. In short order my Dad received a phone call from Guy and Fred to request a meeting. Thus the beginning of a life long career with the Earle Freighting Service Ltd., some 37 years as Manager of Battle Harbour and life long friend with Guy and Fred and families. As children we grew up in Carbonear and every summer sailed to Battle Harbour were we enjoyed the lifestyle, the culture and the friendship of this Labrador community.

Battle Harbour has since been fully restored and is a National Historic District, we are proud of the role our family played in the preservation of the salt fish premises and the business that Earle Freighting Service Ltd. carried out for 50 years.

Libby & Bob Hardy

Bob placed a video slide show on the Link below of a flotilla he organized on behalf of the Bob Bartlett Celebrations this past summer. My brother John and I sailed from Holyrood to Battle Harbour in a 28ft boat along with 15 other boaters from Conception Bay!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KEqkAO-S90

Email us at: info@sskyle.com

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