Red Bay in Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Basque Whalers in the Strait of Belle Isle
Les baleiners Basques dans la détroit de Belle Isle
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
1. Basque Whalers in the Strait of Belle Isle Marker
In the 16th century, the Labrador side of the Strait of Belle Isle emerged as the world's largest producer of whale oil. At its peak, whaling on this coast attracted nearly 2000 Basques annually from Spain and France, and Red Bay became a major centre for seasonal hunting and processing. The whale oil and other products were sold in Europe for lighting and manufacturing. Archival evidence and remains of shore facilities and vessels found here make a significant contribution to the knowledge of whaling and shipbuilding during this era.
French:
Au XVIe siècle, la rive nord du détroit de Belle Isle devint le centre de production d'huile de baleine le plus important au monde. A son apogée, la pêche à la baleine attirait annuellement sur cette côte près de 2 000 Basques d'Espagne et de France. Red Bay fut un lieu essentiel pour la pêche et le traitement des cétacés dont l'huile et les autres produits étaient vendus en Europe pour l'éclairage et la fabrication manufacturière. Les documents, les vestiges riverains et les navires trouvés ici apportent une contribution majeure à la compréhension de la pêche à la baleine et de la construction navale de l’époque.
Erected 2000 by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.
Location. 51° 43.728′ N, 56° 25.401′ W. Marker is in Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Labrador. Marker can be reached from unnamed road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Red Bay NL A0K 4K0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. (The Moores Family Home) (approx. 2 kilometers away).
More about this marker. Red Bay is at the north end of the Trans-Labrador Highway (510), only paved 50 miles in Labrador. The town itself is on an unnamed, unpaved road to the east of the paved road. This marker is located near the Red Bay National Historic Site visitors centre and the steepled church.
Also see . . .
1. Basque Whaling in Red Bay, Labrador. Between 1530 and 1600, Basque whalers from France and Spain launched at least 15 whaling ships and 600 men a season, capturing whales migrating the Strait of Belle Isle waters between the island
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
2. Basque Whalers in the Strait of Belle Isle Marker
2. Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. 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 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. (Submitted on December 9, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Additional keywords. whaling
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
3. Basque chalupa recovered in Red Bay
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
4. Visitors Centre exhibits
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
5. Red Bay, Labrador
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2014
6. Inukshuk
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 9, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
