Explore the tragic and sensational 1887 murder of Mary Tuplin, a pregnant 17-year-old girl whose body was found weighted down in Prince Edward Island's Southwest River after having been shot twice. This presentation delves into the ensuing investigation that led to the arrest of her alleged lover, William Millman, and details the highly publicized trial that followed. We will examine the circumstantial evidence, the dramatic testimonies, and the deep controversy surrounding Millman’s conviction and subsequent execution, exploring why this case continues to haunt the historical record of PEI and what steps have been taken in modern times to bring a measure of peace to the victim.
Dive into the most enduring mysteries of the high seas by exploring the dramatic histories of three legendary vessels. We begin with the Marco Polo, the magnificent Canadian-built clipper ship that broke speed records on the Australia run, forever changing the global timber and passenger trade until her dramatic final wreck. Next, we confront the chilling enigma of the Mary Celeste, the quintessential "ghost ship" discovered adrift in 1872 with all ten people aboard—including the captain's family—vanished without a trace, leaving behind an unnervingly intact vessel. Finally, we unravel the dark case of the Herbert Fuller, a vessel whose 1896 voyage ended in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after a shocking triple murder that led to one of the most sensational and controversial high-seas trials of the Gilded Age. Join us to explore how these three ships transitioned from mere vessels to permanent, unforgettable fixtures of maritime legend.
The talk explores the "Disaster Spring" of 1914, a double tragedy in the Newfoundland sealing industry that claimed 251 lives and exposed the harsh realities of maritime industrial practices. It recounts the chilling maritime mystery of the SS Southern Cross, which sank without a trace, taking all 174 hands with her, as well as the harrowing tale of the SS Newfoundland, where 132 sealers were stranded on the ice for two nights during a deadly blizzard after a critical communication failure. This presentation will move beyond the disaster itself to explore the ensuing public outrage and the Commission of Enquiry, which investigated the human error, negligence, and cost-cutting measures—like the removal of the wireless set—that contributed to the tragedy, ultimately reshaping safety legislation and leaving a permanent scar on Atlantic Canada's cultural memory.
In this talk we explore three distinct criminal cases that reveal the challenges facing Atlantic Canada during the tumultuous early 20th century. Beginning with the horrific Stetka Murders (1906) in Cape Breton, the talk analyzes how the vulnerability of immigrant families and the swift legal system led to a clear conviction and execution. It then contrasts this with the unsolved 1926 murder of Fisheries Officer Agapit Leblanc in New Brunswick, illustrating how entrenched local lawlessness and resource conflict could thwart justice. Finally, the presentation shifts focus to the Rum-Runners of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, detailing how the massive organized crime of the Prohibition era was ultimately resolved not by police work, but by a major legislative change in the United States, providing a unique perspective on justice in the region.
This talk invites the audience on a journey through six of the most bizarre, yet entirely true, stories from Atlantic Canada. The talk progresses from the high-society absurdity of the Rudkin-Philpot Duel and the diplomatic farce of the self-declared Principality of Outer Baldonia, to the chilling, unsolved nautical mysteries of Jerome, the mute, surgically maimed castaway, and the officially classified Shag Harbour UFO incident. The presentation culminates in two dramatic tales of life and death: the immense destruction and heroism of the Halifax Explosion, and the strange-but-true case of a 19th-century murder ignited purely by a violent disagreement over the correct pronunciation of the word “Newfoundland."
Join us for "Legacies of Resilience," a compelling journey through one of history’s most dramatic maritime disasters: the 1917 Halifax Explosion. While the tragedy leveled a city and shook a nation, the true story lies in what happened next. In this 40-minute presentation, we move beyond the devastation to explore the remarkable rebirth of Halifax. Discover how a split-second catastrophe sparked a century of medical breakthroughs, revolutionized urban planning, and forged an unbreakable bond of friendship between Canada and the United States. From the birth of pediatric surgery to the origins of the famous Boston Christmas Tree tradition, learn how the "City of Sorrow" transformed into a beacon of hope and modern innovation.