James Judge
Patrick’s Cove
Son of late Patrick Judge
Age 63 years

In about 1946, Patrick Judge and George McGrath (residing in London, Ontario) was hunting caribou in the wilderness surrounding the Gull Pond. During this trip, which was in February or March, they crossed the ice on the frozen Gull Pond and proceeded to the center island. There they found several pieces of metal which they cut out of the ice with an axe. Patrick brought home two pieces and George brought home at least one. Jimmy having seen those pieces which his father possessed describes them as follows:

(metal in both pieces was light however, could not be bent with hand — with hammer only)

George McGrath was about 13 or 14 at that time and is around the age of 60 now (Jimmy was around ten years old). When Patrick returned to Gooseberry (where he resided at that time) he showed these pieces of metal to a naval officer (captain) named Sprat (or Spratt). This captain brought the metal to the American Naval Base (Argentia) where it was examined. This examination confirmed two things: (1) This metal was no part of any of the American aircrafts and (2) that it belonged to the undercarriage of a plane (because of the V shape) [undercarriage – may be confused with bottom of plane]. Jimmy states that James Joe Doyle was not involved in search and did not know anything about plane in Gull Pond as he would be dead at the time when the metals were found.

In 1948 Mrs. Noonan brought a relative to their summer home at Gooseberry. This relative became interested in Patrick’s story and carried a piece of metal to England. The metal was sent to the manufacturer of a lost plane the “White Bird” or “Blue Bird.” Letters were received back with all the information about the plane and pilots (unknown from whom the letter was from). This piece was never returned to Patrick (Patsy) Judge. The other piece of metal was sent to St. Johns for analysis. Two potential people responsible for analysis could have been Leonard Outerbridge who was governor at that time (and built a summer home in Gooseberry) (top of hill) in 1945-48. This piece was returned to Patrick Judge. (This piece could have been burnt in stable fire.)

The other person who may have brought the metal to St. Johns was MacGillvery. Harold Allerdice [?] was also a visitor of Gooseberry and cannot be ruled out as a potential participant. Allerdice was manager of a company on Ropewalk Lane in St Johns. It closed in the 50’s.

In 1948-49 Patrick was again trapping in the wilderness when he happened to meet a man from North Harbour. Patrick talked to him of the pieces of metal which had been found and the story which surrounded them. Patrick had received a letter from England which explained the White Bird’s flight and crash. The North Harbour resident told of how a group of men had been standing on the wharf in North Harbour and had heard and explosion. That gentleman was interested because he too had found a piece of metal while walking across the marsh by the Gull Pond (no name known). Patrick always said that the plane was not in the Gull Pond. He theorized that the plane hit the island but kept going and crashed in the neighboring pond, “the Turfy Pond.”

Note:

• George McGrath was very interested in this investigation was to have come home to Patrick’s Cove for investigation.
• Plane was to have been seen by “Foxy” (nickname) Conway passing over Cape St Marys. Mr. Conway was light-house keeper. Jimmy assumes such sighting would have been logged and believes these logs may still be at Cape St. Marys. The plane was “cracking” and “banging” and headed for the country.
• Jimmy believes St. Johns analysis was done at Port Pepper.
• Plane did not pass over Patricks Cove.

About 25 years ago a man visited Patrick Judge and proceeded to ask questions about the plane in the Gull Pond. He offered Patrick 10,000 dollars if he was turn over the letter from England. Patrick could not find the letter and refused to give any more information (the man didn’t identify himself). Patrick’s wife was very upset because of the incident. She did not want Patrick to tell the man anything. This man was not French but was not from the area.