Editor,

 

I read with great fondness the article by my sister, Helena MacLean, concerning the sinking of the Caribou. As the namesake of my uncle John Barrett, who perished that October night in 1942, I wish to share a remarkable experience in connection with that story.

With a 70th anniversary Remembrance Ceremony being planned on October 14, 2012, I decided to drive from my home on PEI and take the ferry to Port aux Basques where the ceremony was to take place and meet my parents there who had driven out from St. John’s.

Upon boarding the ferry to cross the straight exactly 70 years to the day that the Caribou was sunk, all aboard were aware of what day it was and how special a crossing this would be. Shortly after departure I ran into several naval officers carrying rather large wreathes; these were to be placed at the exact location off the Caribou’s resting place in the early morning hours. When speaking with one of the officers, I shared the story of my uncle, explained who I was named after, and then he handed me his business card. To my surprise, his name was John Barrett. Naval Chaplin John Barrett… a remarkable coincidence.

En route to our destination, the massive Marine Atlantic ferry ground to halt in the dark and chilling early morning skies at which time a touching ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at sea took place.  As if produced by a Hollywood studio in the 1950’s, the clouds and mist were parted at the exact time of the ceremony with golden rays of light beaming down on the very location we were there to respect. This was an unforgettable experience for me as a person who was robbed of the privilege of ever knowing my exceptional uncle.

 

 

John Barrett

Charlottetown, PEI