A port with no ships: Botwood prepares for uncertain future

A freighter was anchored off the central Newfoundland town of Botwood on Monday, ready to ship away more than just the town's final load of newsprint.

Botwood has thrived for almost a century on shipping out the paper produced at the mill in Grand Falls-Windsor, which last week produced its final roll of newsprint. AbitibiBowater shut down the mill, calling it too expensive to operate.

'I grew up watching the ships come in and watching them go out, and now it's gone.' Janice Peyton

On Tuesday, the final rolls will leave Botwood, headed for markets in Egypt.

"People's way of life is gone," said Janice Peyton.

"It's something that we're all used to. Something we all grew up with. I was born here 41 years ago and I grew up watching the ships come in and watching them go out, and now it's gone."

For the last few days, residents in the community have stopped to look at the cargo ship moored nearby and to take photos. It's also been a time for recollections.

Neil Jewer, 78, who has lived in the town his whole life, told CBC News it will be strange not to see big ships coming and going once the port goes silent.

"One time back in the '40s and '50s, you'd probably see eight or 10 there at one time," he said.

"This is the last one, so I guess some people don't like it."

Fred Newhook used to live across the street from the harbour, and was fascinated by the ships.

"There's going to be, I guess, something missing in Botwood, not to have it come anymore," he said, adding that the ships brought sailors from every corner of the world who would spend days exploring the town.

"When I was younger, we used to play soccer against the English boats, the sailors, so we'd have some fun playing with them," he said.

About 60 stevedores will lose their jobs with the final shipment.