Carbonear Island
Encyclopedia
Carbonear Island is a small uninhabited island on the Avalon Peninsula
of Newfoundland, Canada
. It is located at the mouth of Carbonear
harbour. It became a strategic haven for the British
settlers of Carbonear during the raids by the French
.
While there is some evidence that the Island may have at some time been occupied by First Nations people, the first documented reference to Carbonear Island was by Thomas Oxford of St. John's
in 1679 when he requested that a fortress be erected on the island. In 1696 when Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
had raided most of the settlements in Conception Bay
and Trinity Bay
, the residents of Carbonear and surrounding towns took refuge on the Island. During the Battle of Carbonear the abandoned town was burned, but the residents were successful in defending the island from capture thanks to fortifications they had erected with their own funds, the earth works walls of which are still evident. It continued to be an important refuge for settlers in the region during subsequent attacks from the French and later by American privateers until the early 19th century.
In 1878, a lighthouse and residence for year-round occupancy was erected on the northeast end of Carbonear Island and was maintained until c. 1928, when it was demolished. Subsequently, an automated light station was installed which is still in use. The Island is now a protected bird sanctuary sheltering various breeds of birds, including the Bald Eagle.
Carbonear Islands military importance was recognized in 1954 when it was designated a site of national significance and in 1981 it was officially declared a national historic site of Canada. The first of a series of excavations began on the island in 2010 to learn more about it's role in protecting English North America, and approximately 1300 artifacts were found in the first summer's dig.
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
of Newfoundland, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located at the mouth of Carbonear
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.-History:...
harbour. It became a strategic haven for the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
settlers of Carbonear during the raids by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
While there is some evidence that the Island may have at some time been occupied by First Nations people, the first documented reference to Carbonear Island was by Thomas Oxford of St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
in 1679 when he requested that a fortress be erected on the island. In 1696 when Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] (16 July 1661 – 9 July 1702 (probable)was a soldier, ship captain, explorer, colonial administrator, knight of...
had raided most of the settlements in Conception Bay
Conception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
and Trinity Bay
Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Trinity Bay is a large bay on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Major fishing communities include Trinity and Heart's Content.-Industry:...
, the residents of Carbonear and surrounding towns took refuge on the Island. During the Battle of Carbonear the abandoned town was burned, but the residents were successful in defending the island from capture thanks to fortifications they had erected with their own funds, the earth works walls of which are still evident. It continued to be an important refuge for settlers in the region during subsequent attacks from the French and later by American privateers until the early 19th century.
In 1878, a lighthouse and residence for year-round occupancy was erected on the northeast end of Carbonear Island and was maintained until c. 1928, when it was demolished. Subsequently, an automated light station was installed which is still in use. The Island is now a protected bird sanctuary sheltering various breeds of birds, including the Bald Eagle.
Carbonear Islands military importance was recognized in 1954 when it was designated a site of national significance and in 1981 it was officially declared a national historic site of Canada. The first of a series of excavations began on the island in 2010 to learn more about it's role in protecting English North America, and approximately 1300 artifacts were found in the first summer's dig.