Adventures with Bully Beef

During the Great Depression in Newfoundland, Ern Smith, Rick's grandfather, performed a variety of tasks as he worked as a Relief Officer. These jobs may have been in addition to his relief work, or part of that job. One of the things he did was inspect stores, eating establishments, and the food they sold. In the days prior to modern refrigeration, packaging and handling of food, it often spoiled. Someone had to insure that spoiled goods did not make it to the unsuspecting consumers.

At this time, Ern worked very closely with police as well. Confiscating products from merchants was not a popular move. Besides, hungry people were upset to see food being destroyed. Ern often needed support on the job.

On one occasion, he discovered a case of bully beef, cooked corned beef in cans, in which every can was blown. The meat was spoiled and the case had to be destroyed. Ern knew he needed help getting rid of the poisonous food.

He walked into the police office on his way home from ABC Grocery with the case of beef. Bob Burt was on duty. 

"Mornin', Bob."

"How ya gettin' on, Ern? Wad's goin' on taday?"

"Just been to ABC 'n' found a case o' bully beef dat spoiled. Got ta get rid o' it, ya know, Bob."

"Yes b'y. I knows. Bringin' it ta da dump, ar' we?"

"Na b'y. Ya know we can't do dat. Too temptin' fur da people who scavenge dere even if we took da labels off da cans. People'd get sick for sure."

"Could bury 'em I s'pose," suggested Bob.

"Na, dat's risky too, b'y. Someone could dig 'em up." Ern paused for a moment, then added, "But maybe we could take 'em out in da bay an' dump 'em overboard. Wa' da ya tink?"

"Alright, b'y. Nice afternoon fur a row out da bay. See ya at one," said Bob.

"OK, Bob. Meet ya down on da wharf. Meanwhile, can I leave this stuff here rather den cart it home, 'n' you bring it ta da warf?"

"Alright b'y."

Promptly at one o'clock, Ern met Bob at the wharf where the skiff was tied up. The boat served various functions and was used recently to retrieve a body from the bay. Ern noticed that Bob had his hunting rifle in the boat. Seeing Ern eye the rifle, Bob said, "Taut I'd bring 'er in case we spotted a few bull birds. I'm sick o' salt fish 'n' hard tack."

Ern figured it would make the trip worthwhile, giving one type of bully back to the sea and taking home another. "Good idea," he said to Bob, already tasting the delicious gravy and pastry Bessie would make with the birds.

The two rowed for all they were worth and after thirty minutes were far enough off shore so as not to attract too much attention. Ern opened the case of twelve and quickly dumped them overboard, anxious to go birding.

As he turned to put the box in the stern of the boat, he heard Bob say, "Oh-oh."

When Ern looked around, he saw it too. There were the cans of bully beef floating around, bobbing with the tide. The air in the cans created little buoys out of the spoiled beef.

"Dere all goin' ta float in on da tide," said Ern. "We can't have dat."

"Might as well have a bit o' target practice," said Bob. He reached for the rifle and methodically picked off six of the floaters. Then he passed the rifle to Ern. Not as skilled with the rifle as Bob, it took Ern nine shots to get his six cans.

As they watched the last of the former buoys sink into the depths, they knew the chance of fresh birds for supper sank with it. They had used all of the ammunition on the wrong bull. They rowed home in silence, each lamenting the loss of a great supper.

Important note:

This story is based on a true story from the life of Ern Smith. Thank you to Aunt Marie Smith for the recollection. The store and the Bob character are fictitious.