Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

Red Bay
Town
Red Bay seen from the harbour
Red Bay Location of Red Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador
Coordinates:
Country	Canada
Province	Newfoundland and Labrador
Government
• Type	Municipal incorporation
Area
• Total	1.58 km2 (0.61 sq mi)
Elevation	10 m (30 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	227
• Density	140/km2 (370/sq mi)
Time zone	Newfoundland Time (UTC-3:30)
• Summer (DST)	Newfoundland Daylight (UTC-2:30)
Area code(s)	709
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, vi
Designated	2013 (37th session)
Reference no.	1412
State Party	Canada
Region	Europe and North America
National Historic Site of Canada
Official name	Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada
Designated	1979

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 1530 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. Since June 2013 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geography

Red Bay is a natural harbour residing in the bay that gives it its name, both names in reference to the red granite cliffs of the region. Because of the sheltered harbour it was used during World War II as a mooring site for naval vessels. In the bay are Penney Island and Saddle Island, which were used by the Spanish Basques for their whaling operations. The location of the sunken vessel San Juan is near Saddle Island.

History

See also: History of Basque whaling § Newfoundland and Labrador

A Basque chalupa recovered from the waters of the bay and on display in the museum.

Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay, known as Balea Baya (Whale Bay), was a centre 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 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 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 Cove by draining the pond. The attempt had failed.

Red Bay has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada, and since 2013 it is one of seventeen Canadian sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Demographics

2001

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 Canada 2001 Census

Tourist attractions

Basque whaling station on Saddle Island. The location of the sunken vessel San Juan (1565) is near the wreck of the Bernier, which grounded in 1966.

• Basque whaling stations
• Iceberg and whale watching
• Hiking
• Local entertainment and cuisine
• Fishing

See also

• List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador

External links

• Basque whaling historical page