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 1600s, Red Bay was a major Basque whaling area and has been designated a UNESCO Historical site. 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.

Geography

Red Bay is a natural harbour residing in the bay that gives it its name. In the bay are Penney Island and Saddle Island, that were used by the Basques for their whaling operations. The location of the sunken vessel San Juan is near Saddle Island.

History

An iceberg off the coast of Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Between 1550 and the early 1600s, Red Bay was a center for Basque whaling operations. Sailors 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 whales 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 center 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 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 inscribed as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada.^[1]

Demographics

Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census^[2]

Notable persons of community

• Sherylynn Butt, Miss Canada International

Tourist attractions

• Basque whaling stations
• Iceberg and Whale Watching

See also

• List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador

References

External links

• Basque whaling historical page
• A visitors guide to Red Bay and the Labrador Coastal Drive

de:Red Bay (Neufundland und Labrador)