Next few benefits I attend at the local (Eastern Shore) Legions, I'll try to see if the song is known locally. The Eastern shore cargo boats travelled between Halifax, Cape Breton, and PEI, carrying fish, vegetables, dry goods, and wood products (and the odd passenger). There was a fair amount of resettling as well: original Eastern Shore families can be found in Cape Breton and PEI. Perhaps the song moved to CB that way.