Shipwreck of the Asia - nine men drown

There is an unmarked mass grave in the cemetery for Capt. Bastin and his crew of the fishing vessel Asia, that was lost off Naufrage in the summer of 1839.

On September 21, 1839, it was reported - The Schooner Asia, of Newbury Port, U.S., was driven on shore at Naufrage, on the northern coast of this Island, on the 13th inst. Crew, consisting of nine persons, lost. The bodies of Capt. Bastin and two of the men have since been picked up. The hull and materials of the vessel are adveristed to be sold.

The hull, spars, sails, foresail, mainsail and jib standing and running rigging, blocks, fishing gear, barrels of salt, empty barrels and other materials from the 80 ton schooner Asia from Newburyport, Massachusetts were sold by auction at Naufrage on September 24, 1839, where she was wrecked on September 13. Everything was described in the Colonial Herald as being “nearly new”.

The remains of the remaining six were found in early October and interred in the cemetery.

Angus MacDonald fish boat capsizes with six lives lost

ROYAL GAZETTE, CHARLOTTETOWN, TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1845

BOAT UPSET AND SIX LIVES LOST - Another distressing accident occurred at Big Cape, Lot 42 on Friday last. Angus Macdonald of that place with his four sons, and a son of John Macintyre, a lad of about 14 years of age, and a son of Donald M'Donald went out a Fishing.

In the afternoon the wind veered round from the North to the South, which caused a high sea which upset the boat, and they were all thrown overboard. After struggling for some time, in the water, they were all drowned except one of the sons of Angus Macdonald, who was washed on shore, where he was found in a state of insensibility. He was put into a cart and taken home, and now lies in a precarious state. Four other bodies have since been found.