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(3 By Andrew G. Toope on the northeast coast of Newfoundland, projecting far out into the Atlantic Ocean, is second largest island in the (Raw Island in Bay beings the larg est). This island was named on ancient maps “Aves” or “Bird’s Island” and later “Penguin Island”. Fogo was first settled about the act of the 17th century. Following the burning of St. John’s by the French in 1696, and their subsequent destruc tion of many of the settle ments on the Avalon penin sula, many fishermen migrat ed northward in search of suitable places where they might live and work undis tu:dy the enemy. A num ber of these refugees settled at Fogo. To escape danger from raids of Boothie Indians, fishermen who were engaged in the salmon fishery at Dog Bay, Gander Bay and Ragged Bay moved, in the year 1722, to the more remote islands of Twillingate, Change Islands and Fogo. Those newcomers to Fogo were welcomed by the earlier settlers because they helped re the lowliness of the ng, dreary winters and horse to build up a prosper ous community. Fishing Rose Rapidly ‘A lucrative fishing industry was quickly built up. Records show that in 1738, 21 families in Fogo Harbour produced 19,000 quintals of fish, $3,850 worth of seal oil, and, $1,500 worth of furs. The town of Fogo, with a polation of close on 2,000, i uilt around the crater of an extinct volcano. The famous “Brimstone Head” which overlooks the harbour and town and which can be seen for miles is a reminder of the = 8 origin of the land for . “Brimstone Head” on mmit : A new Prometheus, chained upon the rock, Still grasping in his hand the fire of Jove. It does not hear the cry, nor heed the shock. But hails the mariner with words of love. A Long History Fogo Harbour was a famous fishing centre when the south ern colonies of the United States were in their babyhood and the fishing industry still is there. Today the town of Fogo boasts three fine churches. Church of England, Church [of St. Andrew, a Roman Cath olic Church, and a United Church. Recently a modern four-room C. of EB. School has been built to replace an anim lated three-room structure. ere is also a two-room B.C. School, and a United Church School of the same capacity. A one-room school in a section of the town known as the “Tickles” and a fine lib complete the educational insti tutions of the community. Youth movements consist of a company of the Church Lads Brigade, the Girl Guides, the Canadian Girls in Train ing and the Girls Friendly So ciety. Fraternal Societies in clude the Star of the Sea As sociation, the Society of Uni ted Fishermen, the Orange Young Bretons, the Loyal Orange Association, and the Loyal Orange Benevolent As sociation. Business Houses The chief business houses are: Messrs. Earle Sons and Co., Limited, and the Labra dor Export Co. Ltd. The town is also served by a branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. A very active and alert town council is looking after the civic welfare and a member of the Ranger Force is on hand to keep law and order. Leaving Fogo and following a counter -clockwise course around the island we pass the small settlements of Hare Bay, Island Harbour with two schools of two rooms each and two churches of C. of E. and United Church. Roger’s Cove and thence to beautiful and historic ‘Seldom Come By”. 'This settlement was so ‘named because rarely did a schooner of the Labrador Fishing Fleet, in the days of sail, pass by Seldom without first anchor ing in its magnificent Har bour either to break the mon otony of a long voyage or to take refuge from storms. Many are the hearts that have been lifted up by the telegram reaching the wives and mothers of fishermen coming home with their schooner loads of fish, saying “Arrived Seldom Come By to day, all well.” Continuing our trip we pass “Wild Cove”, aptly named, for the cove is exposed to the rough seas and after a peep into the tiny village of Cape Cove we round Cape Fogo and enter the settlement of Tilt ing with its beautiful Roman Catholic Church, a magnifi cent Priest's Palace and a fine two-room school. The inhab itants of Tilting are noted for their wit. The following is an example: The census taker asked a young man of a place where he was born. He replied, “I was born in Tilting, and I was reared in a |for the S. S. Clyde. Joe Batt’s Arm Leaving Tilting and doub ling Round Head and Joe Batt's an, we was our ~_ among the roc “sunk ers” into Joe Batt’s Arm. This settlement is named after a famous old pioneer settler named Joe Batt. Little more is known of this man except that six or seven years ago when workmen were excavating on Joe Batt’s Arm’s south side preparatory to ereeting a fish processing plant for “Fishery Products Limited,” they dug up a rude coffin. Upon opening the cas te Jay found a ne’ al skeleton, pres a man. With a big pair of leather sea boots on, idents unan imously agree that those re mains are certainly those of Joe Batt after whom their town is named. It is not known to what religious de nomination Joe Batt belonged, but the remains were taken to the nearest cemetry and bur lia at last in hallowed ground. The population of Joe Batt’s farm is about 950. The people are all engaged in the cod fish ery and they secure exception All Sood voyages. ose by is the older settle ment of Barr'd Islands, and ‘the Church of England and United Churches are built midway between the twin settlements and serve both. The U. C. Schoo and the L.O.A. and S.U.F. Lodges are similarly situated. Fire In 1928 In 1928 the C. of E. con gregation had the misfortune of losing their beautiful church of St. John the Evan gelist by fire. Ever since, they have have been striving to erect a stone edifice to replace it and it is hoped that ere long their labours will be rewarded by a Church even more beau tiful than the one or last. As splendid stone United Church is nearly completed and will be opened for divine service in the Spring. There is also a nice l title Roman Catholic Church on the south side of the harbour. Joe Batt’s Arm has a three room C. of E. School one.C. of one-room school, and one Roman Catholic one - room school. Joe Batt's Arm and Barr’d Islands are proud of the fact that they have one of the finest companies of Girl Guides in the Province. Barr’d Islands is a very old settle ment and noted for the big voyages of fish caught. A bait depot at Joe Batt’s Arm keeps the fishermen of both settlements well supplied with bait. Navigation Guide Remembering the following lines from an ancient naviga tion guide we proceed back to Fogo, our starting point. When tickle lies due west, Then west-north-west you are to steer Till “Brimstone Head” it doth appear. Dean’s Rock to starboard you will see, Then from danger you are free. As Fogo Tickle opens wide, The deepest water is on the star board side. Space will not permit to tell of the hardihood and endur ance of the kind-hearted and hospitable people of this his toric island as they battle with nature for a livelihood. Perhaps the most potent hardship of all has been the inadequacy of medical aid. Let us hope for better medical facilities in the future.
Newspaper Details
Corner Brook Western Star
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, CA
Fri, Apr 14, 1950
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Aaron B.
CA 26 Jun 2026
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Corner Brook Western Star
