Photos/Video: Blessing Of The Boats Since 1849
A Bermudian tradition that dates back to the mid 1800s took place this morning [June 1], with Bishop Nicholas Dill and Reverend David Raths being rowed in choppy waters from St George’s to St David’s to bless boats that had gathered.
The “Blessing of the Boats” arises from the long established connection of the people of St David’s Island with the fishing and boat-pilot occupations and goes back to the time of the consecration of the Chapel of Ease in 1849.
The service was held at the Chapel of Ease Dock, with the clergymen being rowed across by members of the St George’s based TS Admiral Somers Sea Cadets in ‘Lady Stockton’.
Assisting in the service was parish worker Suzann Holshouser, worship assistants Demi Wright and Dylan Holshouser, and Deputy Wardens Harold Millett and Calvin Trott.
Boats that made their way to the dock were blessed and received a Certificate of Blessing saying, “Bless o lord this vessel and all who sail in her; may she be a trustworthy and safe servant.”
In the 1800s there were no bridges or land links between St David’s and the rest of Bermuda, so the Bishop was rowed across the harbour by four sons of clergymen who volunteered for the service.
Many boats were present that day as the Bishop passed through their midst waving and giving his blessing, an act which started the tradition that continues to this day.
To commemorate that occasion and as part of the long association with the seafarers of St David’s, Chapel of Ease holds this annual “Blessing of the Boats” service.
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- Weekend Reports, Photos, Videos, Links & More | Bernews.com | June 2, 2014
If it moves Blessit!…….
If it doesn’t move….Blessit till it does!
Bless it again for good measure…..
I remember participating in this event as TS Admiral Somerset Sea Cadet…..I also grew up swimming of this dock as my parents house is a stone throw away.
Shame more do not come out. This used to be attended by many people years ago. The pitcher family has had the distinction of ferrying the Pastor not only to Chapel of Ease but all the way to what is now Tuckers Town for well over one hundred years. From these weekly visits emerged our well celebrated County Cup
I agree but so many are unaware. I didn’t here anything on it and am not fully aware of the meaning behind it all but I would’ve loved to participate in the Bermudian tradition.
Er…floyd?…..de cricket field was a channel a hundred years ago….water went through there…it was filled in and a small pipe went in that has never been cleaned out,an dats why so much grass and silt…and mud now occupy what was once a pristine crystal cleR channel.
County Cup is well over one hundred years old as well and had nothing to do with them filling in the cut through Red Hole and Great Bay.
Floyd is clearly talking about how the clergy members and even members of the congregations where transported to the respective areas to hold services. Back then for most Eastenders boats where one of the prime modes of transport which helped to bring County Cup about.
CleR;-clear.
Man,I missed this and de Burp’s codfish.Did not know about it .
Yup…where the cricket field is…there was a channel,great bay had a flow of water tuit.They buryed a pipe to keep the bay alive…but never clean the pipe,it was a natural bait harbour before that,I certainly wish they had put a clean out ,or a larger pipe,as it is the water is not flowing as it should and adversely effects the ecosystem in great bay.I once fell asleep on the rocks below keep left…bottle of black rum in one hand,my hunkunkahchunka in the other,my mate came down woke me up …tole me not to move…my left foot vuaz in de wuattah ovah buwad annah lidooo seahorse had its’tail wrapped around my toe…it was all covered in grass that probably would not have been onnit had de pipe had proppah flow…
That was the morning Emily hit…