Fundo - Thomas Oates & Son fonds

Thomas Oates was a planter at Carbonear, Newfoundland. From 1820 to 1850, Oates always operated one or two vessels and was involved in the fishery, coastal trade, seal fishery, and probably the Labrador fishery. By 1853, he was operating a small trading business from his premises on the south side of Carbonear. His customers purchased small amounts of dry goods and provisions, and large amounts of rum from his store, which also served as a tavern. They settled accounts from their shares of sealing voyages, or with fish, cod oil, timber, or labour.

In 1820, Thomas Oates registered the Swift, a 59-ton coasting and fishing vessel, built in 1812. Two years later, in partnership with William Thistle, Oates registered the Little Belt, and the owners alternated as captain of the vessel. In 1826, Oates was also captain of the Joseph, an 80-ton brigantine owned by George Forward. In 1828, he purchased the Thirteen Brothers and Sisters, a 97-ton schooner that he used as a sealer, a fish collection boat, and a coastal trading vessel.

In 1852, Oates purchased the 150-ton brigantine Belle in partnership with his son, Thomas Jr. This vessel was the centre of the Oates's operation during the 1850s. The vessel was used in the annual seal hunt and, in the summer months, provided passage for people and goods to Labrador, returning with fish. The Belle was registered de novo in 1861 to Thomas Oates Jr. and prominent Carbonear merchant John Rorke. By then, Thomas Oates Sr. was no longer involved in the business. In 1868, the Belle was lost at sea. Members of the Oates family probably continued to operate as small traders, but they did not appear again on the Newfoundland vessel register.