|
Settled by fishermen and their families from England in the mid 1800's, Snook's Arm was a fishing settlement. Besides the usual cod and salmon fishery though, a whale factory was established in June 1898 and operated until 1912. The first manager was Adolph Nielson, a Norwegian, who also became Newfoundland's first Fisheries Department head in 1986. Mainly fin whales were hunted, but some humpbacks were also taken. The hunt began in June and ended in September. Whaling boats, owned by a Norwegian Company, killed whales which were brought to Snook's Arm to be processed for oil.
The harbour must have been a busy place even without the whaling ships. Steamers would "lay up" there while waiting for ore from Tilt Cove.
Also, as with many communities on the Baie Verte Peninsula, sailing ships and schooners would visit the harbour on their way to and from the prosperous fishery "on the Labrador." It is said that often there were so many schooners that one could walk from one side of the harbour to the other on their decks.
Snook's Arm is a visitors delight and must be visited to be appreciated.
|
B
