Balsom Stage

Balsom Stage is located in Southport, Trinity Bay.  Owned by William Balsom this stage was constructed in 1955 and the building has been used variously to process pickled herring and mackerel, salt cod and turbot.  The two-storey building was used by Mr. Balsom and other fishermen who worked with him.  When Balsom obtained a position as a fisheries officer he moved from Southport, using the stage for the storage of his fishing gear.

The shed-roofed, two storey building is located water side and is built on the beach and backing onto a grassy area.  It has an attached wharf and three entrances � two from the wharf and one to the second floor from the land side (the rear of the property).  When Mr. Balsom applied for the Fisheries Heritage Preservation grant the building needed much work: the cribbing and foundation needed immediate repairs; clapboard needed replacement; paint was required; the roof, flashing, the stage head, doors and windows were all in dire need of work.

The project was undertaken and completed by the fall of 2006 with most work done by Mr. Balsom and the painting done by local men.  While he is pleased with the results of his work, Balsom is anxious to finish the entire premises by restoring the wharf, �I feel now is the time to restore (the) wharf, making it a complete, new job.�