Brigus

History:

Arrival of Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English migratory fishermen In the sixteenth century, Basque whalers established the first industrial station in the New World at Red Bay in Labrador to process whale oil. The site was chosen because whales migrated – and still do today – through the Strait of Belle Isle. In June 2013, this mythical place was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of three such designations in Newfoundland and Labrador. During the 16th and 17th centuries, fishermen from France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and eventually England arrived to feed on the fish of Newfoundland and Labrador. Most of the early permanent settlers came from southwest England and southeast Ireland, with the majority emigrating between 1750 and 1850 prior to the Great Irish Famine. Although Newfoundland was England's oldest overseas colony, France played an important part in helping shape our history. French explorer, Jacques Cartier, arrived in 1534 and eventually the French established a colony in Placentia in 1662. By then, tiny settlements popped up around Placentia Bay, the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon – still a colony of France today – and beyond the Burin Peninsula into Fortune and Hermitage Bays. During the 17th century, Newfoundland was more French than it was English. Oddly enough, by the middle of the next century, French settlement had disappeared mostly due to military success elsewhere in North America.

Preparing to leave from Long Pond Manuels by boat. The course was 310 degrees on the first tack we cleared the western tip of Kelly's Island. Two more tacks took us to the entrance to Brigus' snug little Harbor. 

The first unusual feature that we noticed was the deck attached to rock face. We

 later learned that was where the schooners unloaded their cargo while firmly attached to chains  

which were anchored to the cliff faces on each side of the harbor. Access to the platform was through a tunnel in the rock.

Brigus Kids Fishing in BrigusWalking Path in BrigusHawthorne CottageCovered Bridge in Brigus Previous Zoom Next Wake up to a stunningly beautiful harbour. Take a leisurely hike around charming streets sloping up into green cliffs. Then, stop for a slice of homemade blueberry cheesecake. Brigus is a picture postcard, a lovely town, reminiscent of the quaintness often found in European villages. Even the name “Brigus” is derived from “Brickhouse,” an old English town, pronounced with a flavour only found in this part of North America. Here in Brigus – just 1 hour outside of the capital city of St. John's – history thrives. The town's well-kept old-style architecture, rustic stone walls, lush, green gardens and winding narrow lanes are reflective of its English, Irish and Welsh heritage. Take the opportunity to visit Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site, the former home of Captain Bob Bartlett who was hailed as the greatest ice navigator of the 20th century. This historic gem has been revived into a monument of the Captain's northern expeditions and his simple way of life. Brigus is more than just a scenic and historic place. Every summer, our little community comes alive with the hugely popular annual Blueberry Festival. Over 12,000 visitors from all over the world come to enjoy three days of music, traditional food, dancing, fireworks, and, of course, blueberries. Sing and dance. Shop and relax. Fill your belly with the sweetest wild berry fixin's in the world.

Homeward bound, running with a stiff 35 knot wind out of the Northwest; wondering if it was time to take a reef in our sail.