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July 22, 2002
For immediate release

Government Celebrates Restoration Project at Yankee Hill/ French River Cemetery

Office of the Attorney General

A walk through the woods today helped showcase how local groups can harness resources to improve their communities.

The Honourable Jeffrey Lantz, Attorney General, along with Park Corner-Oyster Bed MLA Beth MacKenzie; members of the Coronation Women's Institute and the community of French River gathered today to tour the newly restored Yankee Hill/French River Cemetery.

"I am pleased to see community service work hours directed toward such a worthwhile initiative in assisting the community in maintaining an important part of its historical identity," says Attorney General Lantz. "I would also like to thank the Coronation Women's Institute and staff of the Community and Correctional Services Division for their hard work and commitment to this initiative."

The restoration of the historic cemetery was completed through joint partnerships among community groups and the Departments of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Transportation and Public Works and the Community and Correctional Services Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Work at the site included more than 1500 person hours, approximately half of which was completed by three inmates and eight young offenders through community service work requirements.

"Our government tries to assist worthwhile community projects wherever possible so I am pleased that we were able to partner with local groups in the French River area to help them make this project a reality," said Park Corner-Oyster Bed MLA, Beth MacKenzie.

The restoration project included removing brush and wood from the area, building a bridge and researching the genealogy of headstones which were uncovered. Because of the level of difficulty of the project, it was decided that a joint initiative between Youth Services and Adult Corrections would be undertaken and a two-phase strategy was developed. In phase one, the greater and more difficult tasks, such as the use of chain saws and wood chipper equipment, fell to the domain of Adult Corrections. The second phase which entailed clearing brush, wood chipping and construction of the footbridge was undertaken by Youth Services in the Summer of 2002.

"We are so pleased with the work that has been put into this restoration project resulting in a cemetery that truly reflects the history of the area and honours the individuals who rest here," says Grace MacLeod, representative of the Coronation (French River/Park Corner) Women's Institute and the individual who initiated this partnership and restoration project with government.

The Yankee Hill/French River Cemetery is most famous for The Yankee Gale in 1851, one of the worst natural disasters of the province's history. This vicious storm claimed up to 120 vessels and 250 sailors. Many of those lost were American sailors and fishermen, hence the name The Yankee Gale. Although there is very little information on the identity of the sailors and fishermen, at least twenty-five American sailors are said to have been buried in the Yankee Hill Cemetery.

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Media Contact: Jennifer Cormier
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