Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Red Bay is a fishing village and former site of several Basque whaling stations on the southern coast of Labrador
in the Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay was a major Basque whaling area. The site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas
used in the capture of whales. The discovery of these vessels makes Red Bay one of the most precious underwater archaeological sites in the Americas.
, which were used by the Basques for their whaling operations. The location of the sunken vessel San Juan is near Saddle Island.
whaling operations. Sailor
s from southern France
and northern Spain
sent 15 whaleships and 600 men a season to the remote outpost on the Strait of Belle Isle to try to catch the right whale
and bowhead whale
s that populated the waters there, according to Memorial University of Newfoundland
.
In 1565, a ship—believed to be the San Juan -- sank in the waters off Red Bay during a storm. Other, smaller vessels, such as chalupas, have also been recovered from the waters.
Another galleon
was found 25–35 feet below water in 2004. It was the fourth trans-oceanic ship to have been found in the area.
A cemetery
on nearby Saddle Island holds the remains of 140 whalers. Many of the people buried there are thought to have died from drowning and exposure.
Historians believe that a decline in whale stocks eventually led to the abandonment of the whaling stations in Red Bay. Today, an interpretive centre in Red Bay explains the history to visitors.
Local legends of Red Bay make reference to a hidden treasure buried in a body of water known as Pond on the Hill 51°43′43"N 56°26′56"W at the foot of Tracey Hill by the infamous pirate Captain William Kidd
. An attempt was made to find the treasure by residents of Carrol's Cove by draining the pond. The attempt had failed.
Red Bay has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada and in 2004 was one of nine sites added to Canada's tentative list of potential future World Heritage Sites.
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
in the Province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay was a major Basque whaling area. The site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas
Chalupa (boat)
Chalupa are small boats that function as shallops, water taxis or gondolas, such as those seen at the "floating gardens" of Xochimilco south of Mexico City.-Description:...
used in the capture of whales. The discovery of these vessels makes Red Bay one of the most precious underwater archaeological sites in the Americas.
Geography
Red Bay is a natural harbour residing in the bay that gives it its name. Because of the sheltered harbour it was used during World War II as a mooring site for navel vessels. In the bay are Penney Island and Saddle IslandSaddle Island
Saddle Island can refer to the following* Saddle Island, South Orkney Islands* Saddle Island, South Georgia* Saddle Island, Newfoundland and Labrador in Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador...
, which were used by the Basques for their whaling operations. The location of the sunken vessel San Juan is near Saddle Island.
History
Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay, known as Balea Baya (Whale Bay), was a centre for BasqueBasque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
whaling operations. Sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
s from southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and northern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
sent 15 whaleships and 600 men a season to the remote outpost on the Strait of Belle Isle to try to catch the right whale
Right whale
Right whales are three species of large baleen whales consisting of two genera in the family Balaenidae of order Cetacea. Their bodies are very dark gray or black and rotund....
and bowhead whale
Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale is a baleen whale of the right whale family Balaenidae in suborder Mysticeti. A stocky dark-colored whale without a dorsal fin, it can grow to in length. This thick-bodied species can weigh to , second only to the blue whale, although the bowhead's maximum length is less than...
s that populated the waters there, according to Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
.
In 1565, a ship—believed to be the San Juan -- sank in the waters off Red Bay during a storm. Other, smaller vessels, such as chalupas, have also been recovered from the waters.
Another galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
was found 25–35 feet below water in 2004. It was the fourth trans-oceanic ship to have been found in the area.
A cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
on nearby Saddle Island holds the remains of 140 whalers. Many of the people buried there are thought to have died from drowning and exposure.
Historians believe that a decline in whale stocks eventually led to the abandonment of the whaling stations in Red Bay. Today, an interpretive centre in Red Bay explains the history to visitors.
Local legends of Red Bay make reference to a hidden treasure buried in a body of water known as Pond on the Hill 51°43′43"N 56°26′56"W at the foot of Tracey Hill by the infamous pirate Captain William Kidd
William Kidd
William "Captain" Kidd was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. Some modern historians deem his piratical reputation unjust, as there is evidence that Kidd acted only as a privateer...
. An attempt was made to find the treasure by residents of Carrol's Cove by draining the pond. The attempt had failed.
Red Bay has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada and in 2004 was one of nine sites added to Canada's tentative list of potential future World Heritage Sites.
Demographics
| Population in 2001 | 264 |
| Population change from 1996 | -4.1% |
| Median age | 39.6 |
| Number of families | 80 |
| Number of married couples | 65 |
| Total number of dwellings | 90 |
| Catholic | 3.8% |
| Protestant | 77.3% |
| Land Area (km².) | 1.58 |
- Source: Statistics CanadaStatistics CanadaStatistics Canada is the Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. Its headquarters is in Ottawa....
2001 Census
Tourist attractions
- Basque whaling stations
- Iceberg and Whale Watching
- Hiking
- Local entertainment and cuisine
- Fishing