I don’t know about you, but I find these fall photos I took in scenic Grand Bank as Halloween-ghostly as they are eye-catching.
The story behind this memorial is one of tragedy and loss, a familiar one for many who live on this island in the North Atlantic.
From the Town of Grand Bank’s website:
“This is the Mariners’ Memorial: a life-size female figure and a water and beach rocks “shoreline” containing the names of the mariners who were lost at sea. The woman represents and exemplifies the virtues and strength of character of thousands of Newfoundland wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters who had to endure the loss of their men. She is standing alone on the widow’s walk staring in the distance. Her body is full of tension, anticipation and premonition of tragedy. Like a withered tree, she remains there eternally expecting those who will never return.”
To see more of my photos from historic Grand Bank, NL, click here.
Jennifer's Journal 
Beautiful 💕🌈
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❤
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Beautiful and haunting,
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It certainly is, George. A moving tribute to the hardships endured.
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Jennifer, this is a haunting memorial … she stands alone, facing the elements, surrounded by the ghosts of those lost, I feel. This is one of the most moving memorials I’ve seen to those who have lost at sea. Thank you so much for sharing – this is an image I won’t forget.
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A striking memorial by a talented artist, I completely agree. It truly exemplifies the tragic world some of us have experienced. Even the name Widow’s Walk is haunting. We have one here in Newtown atop the Barbour heritage house.
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This is a very moving memorial, Jennifer. The artist really captured the emotions of the woman waiting. I can’t imagine the feelings she and others must have experienced while waiting and not knowing.
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I can’t either, Barbara. To think of the heartache and loneliness they must have suffered when they lost their men to the sea, not to mention the hardship for their families. A moving memorial indeed. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Talk about a powerful and moving memorial
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It certainly is, Joanne!
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Beautiful pictures. I love rocks, especially these boulder-esque ones. The Mariner’s Memorial is heart-breaking. I can’t imagine surviving that but they did. What other choice? When my Navy daughter leaves on a deployment (on one of the Navy ships she serves on), I love the pomp and circumstance that welcomes the ship back, usually after 6-9 months. Of course, no one dies. There are rarely tragedies, but still the Navy treats it as a celebration that the mariners returned.
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I like that about welcoming the ship back, Jacqui. The world’s oceans give us so much but they can also take everything away from a family or a community in the blink of an eye.
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Such a moving memorial, Jennifer. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
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Indeed it is, Jill. And you’re very welcome!
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Great post 😁
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Thank you, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Yes Jennifer, this is tough and dangerous work and whilst men risked their lives
women lived in constant waiting and often grief.
To some degree I recognise the waiting woman from the island I grew up although there weren’t many losses
as the North Sea is smaller.
Nevertheless, I stood up on a hill often waiting to see my father’s trawler to come in as the fleet
neared after a week away.
Miriam
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Miriam, thank you for sharing that memory of your father’s trawler. Working on the ocean or sea always carries risks. I have great respect for their hard work and their waiting families.
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