Bay of Exploits
Encyclopedia
The Bay of Exploits is a large bay in the northeast of Newfoundland. It extends from the mouth of the Exploits River
and opens on to Notre Dame Bay
to the north. It is approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 sq. miles) in size and contains over 30 islands of which New World Island
is the largest.
Indians. The main towns are Lewisporte
, Twillingate
(on the Twillingate Islands
in the bay) and Botwood. Salmon fishing and the fur trade were the main early industries.
at its head, were among the last known haunts of the Beothuk
people who generally are thought to have become extinct with the death of Shanawdithit
in June 1829, though oral histories contend that a few may have survived for a while longer.
Exploits River
The Exploits River is a Canadian river in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It flows through the Exploits Valley in the central part of the island of Newfoundland....
and opens on to Notre Dame Bay
Notre Dame Bay
Notre Dame Bay is a large bay in Newfoundland, Canada. To the south it adjoins the Bay of Exploits.The name, French for Our Lady Bay, dates to at least 1550, and is possibly a French translation of an earlier Portuguese name....
to the north. It is approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 sq. miles) in size and contains over 30 islands of which New World Island
New World Island
New World Island is an island in Notre Dame Bay, just off the coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The island is connected to Newfoundland by a causeway. The prominent communities on the island are Summerford, Virgin Arm, Hillgrade, Newville, Cobb's Arm and...
is the largest.
Description
The bay probably got its name from early successful encounters with the BeothukBeothuk
The Beothuk were one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada. They lived on the island of Newfoundland at the time of European contact in the 15th and 16th centuries...
Indians. The main towns are Lewisporte
Lewisporte
Lewisporte is a town in central Newfoundland Island, Canada, with a population of 3,312. It is situated in a bay close to the mouth of the Exploits River. Lewisporte has an excellent port and related facilities that serve the many communities along Notre Dame Bay. Gander and its international...
, Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate is a town of 2,448 people located on the Twillingate Islands in Notre Dame Bay. It is located off the northeastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was incorporated on September 30, 1965. The town is about north of Lewisporte and...
(on the Twillingate Islands
Twillingate Islands
Twillingate Islands are a group of islands in Notre Dame Bay of the Island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
in the bay) and Botwood. Salmon fishing and the fur trade were the main early industries.
The last of the Beothuk
The shores of the Bay of Exploits, the Exploits River and Red Indian LakeRed Indian Lake
Red Indian Lake is located in the western interior of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The downstream end of the lake drains into the Exploits River. This winds through the interior of the island and eventually exits into the Atlantic Ocean through...
at its head, were among the last known haunts of the Beothuk
Beothuk
The Beothuk were one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada. They lived on the island of Newfoundland at the time of European contact in the 15th and 16th centuries...
people who generally are thought to have become extinct with the death of Shanawdithit
Shanawdithit
Shanawdithit , also noted as Shawnadithititis, Shawnawdithit, Nancy April and Nancy Shanawdithit, was the last known living member of the Beothuk people of Newfoundland, Canada. Also remembered for drawings she made towards the end of her life, Shawnawdithit was in her late twenties when she died...
in June 1829, though oral histories contend that a few may have survived for a while longer.