I live in 'Aunt Virtue's' house, and i work in her shop. I've taken a great interest in the story of Lukey's Boat because of that connection with her.

I spoke with an elderly woman originally from Greenspond who was Virtue's niece (great niece or great-great)and she told me that when she was growing up, they sang,
"Oh Lukey's Boat is painted green
the prettiest john dominey ever did see"
John Dominey would have been a merchant in Greenspond at the time.

Nerd: you're not reading all the lines...
"one split pea and a ten pound tub" tells how cheaply Lukey feeds his crew members.
"I'll get me another in the spring of the year" shows his immorral attitude about love and marriage.
"every seam is chinched with putty" states that his boat is not in good condition
etc.

And as Virtue died in 1929, the song is older than thought!

There is a picture of Virtue Kean with a church group, and Mrs. Luke Gaulton is sitting right behind her. I wonder if it's the first or second Mrs. Luke Gaulton? She does look kind of sickly! look at it here: www.bonavistanorth.blogspot.com