In your February 2013 Downhome there is a lovely picture of the SS Kyle. It brought back a lot of fond memories of my childhood in Wesleyville. I was born in 1931 and my father William (Billy) Fifield was the wharf keeper. He was responsible for catching the steamer's lines and lighting the wharf light, a red lantern in a glass case. Wesleyville was one of the ports-of-call for many ships, the SS Glencoe, the SS Ranger and of course the SS Kyle. The SS Kyle came to Wesleyville often to pick up passengers from Lumsden, Greenspond, Cape Freels and all the small places in the Bonavista North area for the Labrador fishery. My family lived so close to the government wharf that we felt like we lived on the wharf. If the steamer was delayed and didn’t reach the wharf on time, many passengers were stranded for the evening.My father would often invite them to our home for a meal or to spend the night. Some of these passengers were cousins, uncles, aunts and other family members but many were also strangers and “father” welcomed them all. As a child, I had many visits to the SS Kyle when in port. I even sat on one of the Captain’s knee and was given some candy, a rare treat for a youngster at that time. It was always so exciting when the SS Kyle came and blew the whistle three times to let my father know it was time to catch the lines. Sometimes it was in the middle of the night. It is so sad and too bad that these ships cannot be kept in some way. I can understand why Libby Earle DePiero would want to try and save a vessel which was so important to her father, Captain Guy Earle. The Kyle was important to everyone back then. It was our means of transportation from one outport to another. It was the vessel that took the workers to Labrador for the very important seal and cod fisheries. It was our connection to the rest of the world. From the photo below, it is obvious how important the steamers were to the people of Wesleyville. It was a big event and drew a large crowd. Some came to meet loved ones who were away, while other came to say goodbye not knowing when they would see each other again. It’s funny how one photo can take you right back to your childhood and bring back memories you thought were long gone. I can see the passengers and crew of the SS Kyle so clearly in my mind, waving as they approached the wharf, sometimes throwing candy, other treats and sometimes coins. Thank you for the lovely article. Olive Andrews (née Fifield) Point Leamington, NL The photo is taken from the book The Sea, Our Life Blood, A History of Wesleyville, Newfoundland. (B. S. C Printers, 1984, Ltd., Gander, Newfoundland.) (My father Billy Fifield is the man in the light coloured long coat and hat in the centre of the photo talking to the police officer.)   Submitted By: Heather Ball