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- The Move
A video on the resettlement of the Rumboldt family
in 1968.
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Home  Virtual Exhibits Resettlement Cape Island
Cape Island
Cape Island (pop. 1945, 102) is located off the eastern tip of Cape Freels, at the northern entrance to Bonavista Bay. It was probably settled in the late 1700s as fishermen and trappers moved from Bonavista and Greenspond to the islands off the cape. E.R. Seary (1976) reports a John Vincent baptized at Cape Island in 1830. The 1836 Census lists 11 houses and a mainly Methodist population of 100. There were a few Roman Catholic families present, as well. The population fluctuated as families from the mainland temporarily moved to the island in the summer to fish. By 1857 Cape Island numbered 69 inhabitants and by 1891 it had risen to 103.
The economy of Cape Island was based on the small-boat inshore cod fishery. Cod and capelin were the main catches and in the 1900s shore fish in salt bulk was sold to merchants in Newtown. However, by mid-century the inshore fishery was in decline and the industry was changing from salt-bulk to fresh-frozen processing. This change was an important factor in the community's decision to resettle. Between 1948 and 1950 the entire community abandoned the island to move to Newtown, Bonavista Bay, to take advantage of that community's services.
From the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
Cape Island, house of Walt Andrews, floating house across Inner Tickle of Newtown after being purchased in Newtown, 1952
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Cape Island methodist church, referred to locally as 'the church up on the nick'
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Cape Island methodist church, referred to locally as 'the church up on the nick'
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