Antony Berger published No Place for a Woman in 2020. This was a collection of writings by his mother, Ella Manuel. Later, he created a Podcast Series around that book, called Down to Sally’s Cove. One of these podcasts features a piece on Dr. Conrad Fitz-Gerald of St. Jacques. My book, Misfortune Bay: The Loss of the Albatross, from Flanker Press Ltd, tells one story of this man that took place in 1916.
Ella Manuel was born in Lewisporte. She left there in the 1920’s and eventually returned to Newfoundland in 1945 and settled in Bonne Bay. She wrote articles for newspapers and magazines as well as radio scripts. She worked the CBC from 1953 to 1969 and through radio became known across the country. Besides writing radio commentaries and pieces on social issues, she had several fictional works for young people appear in anthologies.
The Newfoundland Historical Society had this to say about the Down to Sally’s Cove Podcasts.
These are stories of remarkable men and women; travels on fishing vessels and coastal steamers; medics, missionaries, and military men who came from England in the late 1800’s; and many other tales that reflect the culture, tradition and language of Newfoundland.
Only one recording of her broadcasts still exists, so her stories are being read by Antony Berger.
In Episode 33 of this podcast series, Ella Manuel gives us a wonderful description of Conrad Fitz-Gerald as a man, a sailor and a doctor. She captures the spirit and dedication of this medical pioneer who unselfishly dedicated his life’s work to serving the people of Fortune Bay from his land-based clinic and from his thirty-foot custom-designed medical schooner, The Albatross, built for him by master builder John Cluett of Belleoram. From 1873 to 1900 he worked out of Hr. Breton. Upon retirement, he relocated to St. Jacques, a more central location that gave him better access to most communities around the bay. There, he built a three-story home and medical clinic and ministered to people until he died in 1939. Conrad, and his wife Keturah Partridge, are buried in a corner plot in the graveyard of St. Michael and All Angel’s Church in St. Jacques, Newfoundland.
Have a listen to Anthony Berger read this extraordinary piece of insight into this remarkable man.
Dr. Fitz of the Albatross Episode 33 – Dr. Fitz of “The Albatross”
Visit the link below to listen to all of the Podcasts in this series.
All Things St. Jacques, NL 
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