St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
St. Mary's Bay
St. Mary's Bay is one of many bays in NewfoundlandNewfoundland 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...
, where bay
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
is taken as a regional subdivision, somewhat along the lines of county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
divisions (Newfoundland, a largely maritime society, lacks counties). It is the most southern and eastern of Newfoundland's major bays.
It is located on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
and is the heartland of the Irish Newfoundlanders
Irish Newfoundlanders
In modern Newfoundland , many Newfoundlanders are of Irish descent. According to the Statistics Canada 2006 census, 21.5% of Newfoundlanders claim Irish ancestry...
, who live all along its shores, stretching west to the Cape Shore
Cape Shore
- Overview :The Cape Shore is a region on the southwestern portion of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland.Often confused or conflated with the Southern Shore , the Cape Shore is similarly rural and populated by Irish Newfoundlanders, but is geographically distinct...
and Placentia
Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Placentia is a town on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, consisting of the amalgamated communities of Jerseyside, Townside, Freshwater, Dunville and Argentia...
and northeast to the Southern Shore and St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. Like most Irish Newfoundlanders, area residents trace their ancestry to County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
, County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
, County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
, south County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
and east County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. In addition to being Irish, the region is also overwhelmingly Roman Catholic.
St. Mary's Bay is an exceedingly rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
area. None of the communities in the bay have a population in excess of 1000, and the bay as a whole is home to less than 5,000 people along (very roughly) the 150 km that make up 3 sides of its circumference, the 4th being uninhabitable ocean (note: because of bays, headlands, etc., the actual kilometres of shoreline are much much more than 150).
St. Mary's Bay stretches approximately 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) wide at its mouth, from Point Lance in the west to Cape Freels
Cape Freels
Cape Freels is a headland on the island of Newfoundland and the location of a community of the same name.The cape was named Ilha de Freyluis as early as 1506. The Portuguese translation is a derivation of the island of Brother Lewis. The area around the cape is the location of a Beothuk camping site...
in the east, and it extends almost 58 km (36 mi) to the NNE to its farthest point inland at Colinet
Colinet, Newfoundland and Labrador
Colinet is an incorporated town located on the northwest arm of St. Mary's Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Colinet is notable for two rivers, the Rocky and the Colinet, which enter the sea in or near the town. Both feature attractions for visitors.The Rocky River has a man-made salmon...
.
The next bay to the west is Newfoundland's largest bay, Placentia Bay
Placentia Bay
Placentia Bay is a body of water on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is formed by Burin Peninsula on the west and Avalon Peninsula on the east. Fishing grounds in the bay were used by native people long before the first European fishermen arrived in the 16th century. For a time, the...
. To the east of St. Mary's Bay is the much smaller Trepassey Bay
Trepassey Bay
Trepassey Bay is a natural bay located on the southeast end of the Avalon Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland, in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Communities located in Trepassey Bay are; Trepassey, Biscay Bay and Portugal Cove South....
.
St. Mary's Bay and Resettlement
St. Mary's Bay, while not hit as hard as neighboring Placentia BayPlacentia Bay
Placentia Bay is a body of water on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is formed by Burin Peninsula on the west and Avalon Peninsula on the east. Fishing grounds in the bay were used by native people long before the first European fishermen arrived in the 16th century. For a time, the...
, was subject to the Resettlement Program
Resettlement (Newfoundland)
Resettlement in Newfoundland and Labrador terms was an organized approach to centralize the population into growth areas. Three attempts of resettlement were thrust upon outport residents and whole communities between 1954 and 1975 which resulted in the abandonment of 300 communities and nearly...
spearheaded by Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
, 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...
's first premier (1949-1972). People in rural communities deemed no longer viable (whether by reason of population, economics, or remote location) were pressured by the government to relocate to 'growth centres.' Thus, there are several ghost towns around St. Mary's Bay, abandoned a generation ago.
Communities within St. Mary's Bay
Starting at the southwest extremity and moving around the bay in a clockwiseClockwise
Circular motion can occur in two possible directions. A clockwise motion is one that proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top...
fashion. :
- Point LancePoint Lance, Newfoundland and LabradorPoint Lance is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town had a population of 119 in the Canada 2006 Census. It has a nearby beach.-See also:* List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador...
(2006 population: 119) - BranchBranch, Newfoundland and LabradorThe Town of Branch is an incorporated community on the Cape Shore of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and has a population of 309 . It is located on St. Mary's Bay and can be accessed via Route 100 or Route 92. Nearby communities include Point Lance and St...
(2006 population: 309) - North HarbourNorth Harbour, Newfoundland and LabradorNorth Harbour, St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland is a fishing community located on both sides of a long, narrow inlet of the same name. While the harbour is open to southwest winds, it is clear of dangers beyond its shores, and is sheltered enough to have been a refuge for many vessels in the past...
(2006 population for Division No. 1, Newfoundland and LabradorDivision No. 1, Newfoundland and LabradorDivision No. 1, Newfoundland and Labrador is a census division covering the entire Avalon Peninsula including the Isthmus of Avalon of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador...
Subdv X: 510) - ColinetColinet, Newfoundland and LabradorColinet is an incorporated town located on the northwest arm of St. Mary's Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Colinet is notable for two rivers, the Rocky and the Colinet, which enter the sea in or near the town. Both feature attractions for visitors.The Rocky River has a man-made salmon...
(2006 population: 165) - Harricot (2006 population: see North Harbour, above)
- Mount Carmel
- Mitchells Brook
- St. Catherine's (2006 population for Mount Carmel-Mitchells Brook-St. Catherine's: 438)
- Salmonier (2006 population, including Salmonier: 792)
- New BridgeNew Bridge, Newfoundland and LabradorNew Bridge is a settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador....
(2006 population for Division No. 1, Newfoundland and LabradorDivision No. 1, Newfoundland and LabradorDivision No. 1, Newfoundland and Labrador is a census division covering the entire Avalon Peninsula including the Isthmus of Avalon of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador...
Subdv W: 561) - St. Joseph'sSt. Joseph's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. Joseph's is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located on the Avalon Peninsula, approximately 70 kilometres southwest of St. John's, and near St. Mary's Bay.The town had a population of 144 in the Canada 2006 Census....
(2006 population: 144) - O'DonnellsO'Donnells, Newfoundland and LabradorO'Donnells was a village located southeast of Placentia. The first Postmistress was Mrs. Theresa M. Hanlon on July 16th, 1951. By 1956 there was a population of 244.-See also:* List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador...
(2006 population: see New Bridge, above) - Admirals BeachAdmirals Beach, Newfoundland and LabradorAdmirals Beach is a rural community located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Previously spelled Admiral's Beach, it is a fishing port located on the island of Newfoundland; specifically it is along a point of land in the southern Avalon Peninsula near Great Colinet Island fronting St...
(2006 population: 185) - Mall BayMall Bay, Newfoundland and LabradorMall Bay is a settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador....
(2006 population: see New Bridge, above) - RiverheadRiverhead, Newfoundland and LabradorRiverhead was a small village of 20 families in 1864. It is now a town in the St. Mary's area with a population of over 400 by 1968.-See also:*List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador...
(2006 population: 220) - St. Mary'sSt. Mary's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. Mary's is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town had a population of 482 in the Canada 2006 Census, in 199 dwellings....
(2006 population: 482) - Point La HayePoint La Haye, Newfoundland and LabradorPoint La Haye was a small town charted by Captain James Cook in 1770. It had 12 families. The first Postmistress was Mrs. Edward Mandville in 1951.-See also:* List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador...
- GaskiersGaskiers, Newfoundland and LabradorGaskiers-Point la Haye is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, located in St. Mary's Bay. It is located southwest of St. Mary's. It became a local government community in 1970...
(2006 population for Point La Haye-Gaskiers: 302) - St. Vincent's
- St. Steven's
- Peter's River (2006 population for St. Vincent's-St. Stephen's-Peter's River: 363)
- St. Shott'sSt. Shott's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. Shott's is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town had a population of 109 in the Canada 2006 Census.-See also:* List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador...
(2005 population: 109)
See also
- Avalon PeninsulaAvalon PeninsulaThe Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
- Irish NewfoundlandersIrish NewfoundlandersIn modern Newfoundland , many Newfoundlanders are of Irish descent. According to the Statistics Canada 2006 census, 21.5% of Newfoundlanders claim Irish ancestry...
- Newfoundland IrishNewfoundland IrishNewfoundland Irish is an extinct dialect of the Irish language specific to the island of Newfoundland, Canada. It was very similar to Munster Irish, as spoken in the southeast of Ireland, due to mass immigration from the counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Cork.-Irish settlement...
- Newfoundland outportNewfoundland outportAn outport is the term given for a small isolated coastal community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally the term was just used for coastal communities on the island of Newfoundland but the term has also been adopted for those on the mainland area of Labrador as...