At a time when whale oil was a precious commodity used in everyday essentials like soap, textiles, pharmaceuticals and lamps, every year whalers from the Basque country (now part of Northern Spain and Southern France) made the long and dangerous voyage to the fertile waters of Labrador to hunt whales. Life as a whaler in the 16th century was not for the weak of heart. It was a constant battle of unforgiving elements and the precarious balance of life and death on a daily basis. It was a way of life, of providing life and of taking life.
Located on the beautifully stark and pristine Labrador coast, Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada tells the incredible story of the hardship, exploitation and profit of the whaling industry in the Strait of Belle Isle during the 16th century.
Red Bay’s naturally sheltered harbour, known as Les Buttes or Boytus, was one of the largest and busiest whaling ports of the time and the remains of some twenty whaling stations can still be seen and explored. Offering the fascinating discoveries of more than 15 years of archaeological research, Red Bay National Historic Site transports the visitor to a time when the waters were dense with whales, boats and harpoons while the shores bustled to process and ship this liquid gold back to Europe. A rare collection of Basque artifacts found here is thought to be the best of its kind in the world, showcasing a wide variety of items relating to the life and work of the whalers of 500 years ago.
Underwater research in the harbour led to the discovery of four Basque galleons and several small boats, all superbly preserved examples of 16th-century shipbuilding. Red Bay’s historic treasures also include the most complete and best-preserved examples of 16th century ships and boats known in the world. Tour the interpretive centre to view an exhibit featuring a 1:20 scale model of the San Juan, a Basque-whaling galleon that was lost at Red Bay in 1565, as well as a restored whale boat or chalupa. Self-guided walking tours and special interpretive programs are available on Saddle Island, where most of the land-based archaeology took place.
Adding to the dramatic story of Red Bay is its incredible location. Labrador’s northern terrain offers a beauty of land, sea and sky like no other. The combination of this unique natural setting and compelling history provides the visitor with an unparalleled experience.
Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada is on the short list of Canadian sites to be brought forward for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List before 2015.
Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada
P.O. Box 103 Red Bay, NL Canada A0K 4K0
709-920-2142
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Well presented, I believe others would also appreciate the work required to present.
Masters Student
Maritime Archaeology
Flinders University, South Australia
Roger Halliday
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Well presented, I believe others would also appreciate the work required to present.
Masters Student
Maritime Archaeology
Flinders University, South Australia
2009 09 14Roger Halliday,
ReplySorry man, the link you posted to doesn’t work for me… Maybe it’s just a problem of my corporate proxy but anyways maybe there is an alternative one? Thanks in advance
2009 11 17bethdaisy,
ReplyCanada is a great travel destination. From the Atlantic Provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia via the Prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the Pacific Coast of British Columbia and further to the canadian Arctic of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Grand Canyon tours
2009 12 15Grand Canyon tours,
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