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Home North Island North Island is one of four rocky islands in central Bonavista Bay which together are called the Flat Islands. The islands, named Flat (Samson) Island, Berry Head, North Island and Cowards Island, were among the earliest reported settled areas in Bonavista Bay with the first record of residence mentioned in the "Register of Fishing Rooms in Bonavista Bay," for 1806.Tremendous growth and development was reported at Flat Islands from 1836 to 1891 (Census). By 1869 Flat Islands had a population of 230. By 1891 the population reached 417. One quarter of the total population of Flat Islands was on North Island. Three schools operated on 3 of the islands: Cowards Island, Flat Island and North Island. The development of the islands rested on a shift from local fishing to the Labrador fishery in the 1850s. In the 19th century the area's production of Labrador cod averaged between 152,400 and 203,200 kg (3,000 and 4,000 quintals) per year using eight or nine vessels. By the 1950s, however, with the decline of the lucrative Labrador fishery, more than half the workforce were employed in carpentry, construction and woods work in shoreline communities of Bonavista Bay and in central Newfoundland. In 1953 the North Island merchant moved to Harbour Grace, and in 1954 the first house from that island was floated to Glovertown, its inhabitants wishing to be close to jobs, the road and the railway. The last move out of Flat Islands, involving 119 families, was undertaken with government assistance. About twenty per cent of this total moved to St. John's. The remainder scattered, to Glovertown, Eastport, St. Chad's, Burnside and other settlements (including thirteen familes who settled in Dark Cove, Hare Bay, Dock Cove and St. Brendan's). From the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
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© 2003 - 2012 Maritime History Archive, Memorial University |
