The Bertha Joyce backing away from Hann's wharf, circa 1957, skippered by Clem Berkshire.
In 1946, Fred and son Clem Berkshire of Spencer’s Cove hired John Pomeroy of Great Paradise to build this schooner, engaged people at Marystown to cut the timber and purchased the plank and decking at Glovertown. The 52 tonne Bertha Joyce was built at Great Paradise and launched in August 1947. She was brought from there to Spencer's Cove where she was fitted with a 66 horsepower Diesel engine and also fitted with a a foresail, riding sail and jumbo to help her along. This schooner was used mostly between St. John’s and communities of Placentia Bay, bringing supplies from St. John’s and taking salt cod, cod oil and other products to St. John’s.
On May 6, 1960, the Bertha Joyce became a total loss when she ran into a cliff Northwest of St. Shott's while en route to St. John’s from Placentia Bay. The incident happened about 3:00 am in dense fog. She did not strike bottom but sailed straight into the cliff. She was backed clear of the face of the cliff but was leaking so badly that she sank within 20 minutes. It was a very calm night, however, and the crew had no difficulty in launching the dory and rowing to the beach at St. Shott's. There they hired a Taxi to take them to St. Johns.
At the wharf is the Cooperator II , ex Kean Brothers, built at St. Brendan's, Bonavista Bay, 1951, 88 feet long, 118 gross tons. Unloading a load of salt or coal. Owned by Placentia West Co-operative Transportation Society Limited, headquarters at Merasheen, P. Bay, NL. circa 1959. M. V. Lady Anderson tied up to the Government Wharf, directly over the stem of the Bertha Joyce.