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The McNab's Island Story
 Cholera was a dreaded plague in the 19th Century and its tragic affects were well known throughout the British Empire. In early April, 1866, the immigrant ship England, en route from Limerick, Ireland, to New York, was stricken with a virulent cholera epidemic. The ship's agents, the Cunard Company, received permission to enter Halifax Harbour and remain at anchor at least two miles from Halifax city.
There were over 1200 immigrants on board. The 400 stricken passengers were transferred to another ship, the Pyramus, which was anchored astern the England. The steerage passengers were quarantined to McNab's Island, in the middle of Halifax Harbour.
After learning of the ship's arrival, Archbishop Thomas Connolly visited the quarantine station. He had learned that many of the passengers were Catholics. Seeing the plight of the victims, he was determined to send as much assistance as possible. One of his priests, Father Alexander MacIsaac, offered to go to the island to look after the spiritual needs of the stricken victims.
Archbishop Connolly went to the Sisters of Charity at St. Mary Convent (see photo, left) on Barrington Street to ask for volunteers to minister to the sick. Every Sister in the house offered to go to McNab's Island. The Archbishop selected two: Sister Mary Clare Connolly and Sister Mary Vincent Power.
On landing on McNab's the next morning they went to the one dwelling on the island, a shack, and set it in order with provisions given by the Archbishop. The Sisters quickly became the caregivers for the orphan children who increased rapidly in number. A third Sister, Mary Alphonsus Doucet joined them to help with the children.
When Father McIsaac became ill, they nursed him and kept open house, serving food any hour of the day and night to the doctors and assistants, and to the survivors. After two weeks the outbreak was over, the England sailed on to New York, and after a brief rest the Sisters returned to their duties. The city council presented a note of thanks and gifts of gratitude to the community.
- from Archives, Sisters of Charity |
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