Chapter 2

This Harbour is situated one Mile to the Westward of _Brewer's Hole_, before which are two Islands, one without the other; the outermost, which is the largest is of a tolerable Height, and lies in a Line with the Coast, and is not easy to be distinguished from the Main in sailing along the Shore. To sail into this Harbour, the best Passage is on the West-side of the outer Island, and between the two; as soon as you begin to open the Harbour, you must keep the inner Island close on Board, in order to avoid some sunken Rocks that lay near a small Island, which you will discover between the NE. Point of the outer Island, and the opposite Point on the Main; and likewise another Rock under Water, which lays higher up on the Side of the Main; this Rock appears at Low Water. As soon as you are above these Dangers, you may steer up in the middle of the Channel, until you open a fine spacious Bason, wherein you may Anchor in any Depth from 5 to 17 Fathom Water, shut up from all Winds, the Bottom is Sand and Mud. In to the Eastward of the outer Island, is a small Cove fit for small Vessels and Boats, and Conveniencies for the Fishery.

[Sidenote: Long Harbour.]

This Harbour lies 4 Miles to the Westward of Harbour _La Conte_, and N.E. by N. 5 Leagues from _Point Enragee_; it may be known by a small Island in the Mouth of it, called _Gull Island_; and half a Mile without this Island, is a Rock above Water, that hath the Appearance of a small Boat. There is a Passage into the Harbour on each Side of the Island, but the broadest is the Westermost. Nearly in the middle of this Passage, a little without the Island is a Ledge of Rocks, whereon is two Fathom Water; a little within the Island on the S.E. Side are some sunken Rocks, about two Cables length from the Shore laying off two sandy Coves; some of these Rocks appear at Low-water. On the N.W. Side of the Harbour, two Miles within the Island is _Morgan's Cove_, wherein you may Anchor in 15 Fathom Water, and the only Place you can Anchor, unless you run into, or above the _Narrows_, being every where else very deep Water. This Harbour runs five Leagues into the Country, at the Head of which is a Salmon Fishery.

[Sidenote: Bell Bay, and its contain'd Bays & Harbours.]

[Sidenote: Hare Harbours.]

A little to the Westward of _Long Harbour_, is _Bell Bay_, which extends three Leagues every Way, and contains several Bays and Harbours. On the East Point of this Bay, is _Hare Harbour_, which is fit only for small Vessels and Boats, before which are two small Islands, and some Rocks above and under Water.

[Sidenote: Mall Bay.]

Two Miles to the Northward of _Hare Harbour_, or the Point of _Bell Bay_, is _Mall Bay_, being a narrow Arm, laying in NE. by N. 5 Miles, wherein is deep Water, and no Anchorage until at the Head.

[Sidenote: Rencontre Islands.]

_Rencontre Islands_ lies to the Westward of _Mall Bay_, near the Shore; the Westermost, which is the largest, hath a Communication with the Main at low Water; in and about this Island are shelter for small Vessels and Boats.

[Sidenote: Bell Harbour]

_Bell Harbour_ lies one League to the Westward of _Rencontre_ Islands: The Passage into the Harbour is on the West Side of the Island; in the Mouth of it, as soon as you are within the Island, you will open a small Cove on the E. Side, wherein small Vessels anchor, but large Ships must run up to the Head of the Harbour, and Anchor in 20 Fathom Water, there being most Room.

[Sidenote: Lally Cove.]

_Lally Cove_ lies a little to the Westward of _Bell Harbour_, it is a very snug Place for small Vessels, being covered from all Winds behind the Island in the Cove.

[Sidenote: Lally Cove. Back Cove.]

_Lally Head_ is the West Point of _Lally Cove_, it is a high bluff white Point; to the Northward of the Head is _Lally Cove back Cove_, wherein you may anchor in 16 Fathom Water.

[Sidenote: Bay of the East, and Bay of the North.]

Two Miles to the Northward of _Lally Cove Head_, is the Bay of the East, and Bay of the North, in both is deep Water, and no Anchorage, unless very near the Shore. At the Head of the North Bay is the largest River in _Fortune Bay_, and seems a good Place for a Salmon Fishery.

[Sidenote: Bay of Cinq Isles.]

The Bay of _Cinq Isles_ lies to the Southward of the North Bay, and opposite to _Lally Cove Head_ there is tolerable good Anchorage for large Ships on the S.W. Side of the Islands in the Bottom of the Bay. The North Arm is a very snug Place for small Vessels; at the Head of this Arm is a Salmon River.

[Sidenote: Corben Bay.]

A little to the Southward of the Bay of _Cinq_ Isles is _Corben Bay_, wherein is good Anchorage for any Ships in 22 or 24 Fathom Water.

[Sidenote: Bell & Dog Islands.]

South East about two Miles from _Lally Cove Head_, are two Islands about a Mile from each other, the North Eastermost is called _Bell Island_, and the other _Dog Island_, they are of a tolerable Height, and bold too all round.

Between _Dogg Island_, and _Lord and Lady Island_, which lies off the S. Point of _Corben Bay_, is a sunken Rock, (somewhat nearer to _Lord and Lady_, than _Dogg-Island_) whereon the Sea breaks in very bad Weather, and every where round it very deep Water. About a quarter of a Mile to the Northward of the North-end of _Lord and Lady_ Island, is a Rock that appears at low Water.

[Sidenote: Bande de La'rier Bay and Harbour.]

_Bande de La'rier_ Bay lies on the West Point of _Bell Bay_, and NNW. half W. near 3 Leagues from Point _Enragee_, it may be known by a very high Mountain over the Bay, which rises almost perpendicular from the Sea, called _Iron-Head_. _Chappel Island_, which forms the East-side of the Bay is high Land also. The Harbour lies on the West-side of the Bay, just within the Point, formed by a narrow low Beach, it is very small, but a snug Place, and conveniently situated for the _Cod Fishery_. There is a tolerable good Anchorage along the West Side of the Bay from the Harbour up towards _Iron Head_ in 18 and 20 Fathom Water.

[Sidenote: Bande de La'rier Bank.]

The Bank of _Bande de La'rier_, whereon is not less than 7 Fathom, lies with the Beach of _Bande de Lourier_ Harbour, just open of the West Point of the Bay, and _Boxy Point_ on with the North End of St. _Jaques_ Island.

[Sidenote: St. Jaques.]

Two Miles to the W. ward of _Bande de La'rier_, is the Harbour of St. _Jaques_, which may be easily known by the Island before it. This Island is high at each End, and low in the Middle, and at a Distance looks like two Islands, it lies N. 30d. E. 8 and a half Leagues from the Cape of _Grand Bank_, and N. E. by E. 7 Leagues from the East-end of _Brunet_. The Passage into the Harbour is on the West Side of the Island; there is not the least Danger in going in, or in any Part of the Harbour; you may anchor in any Depth from 17 to 4 Fathom.

[Sidenote: Blue Pinion.]

Two Miles to the Westward of St. _Jaques_, is the Harbour of _Blue Pinion_, it is not near so large, or so safe as that of St. _Jaques_; near to the Head of the Harbour on the West Side is a Shoal, whereon is two Fathom at Low Water.

[Sidenote: English Cove]

A little to the Westward of _Blue Pinion_, is _English Cove_, which is very small, wherein small Vessels and Boats can Anchor; before it, and very near the Shore is a small Island.

[Sidenote: Boxy point.]

_Boxy_ Point lies SW. by W. a quarter W. two Leagues and a half from St. _Jaques_ Island, NNE. near 7 Leagues from the Cape of _Grand Bank_, and NE. half E. 13 Miles from the East End of _Brunet_ Island; it is of a moderate Height, the most advanced to the Southward of any Land on the Coast, and may be distinguished at a considerable Distance; there are some sunken Rocks off it, but they lay very near the Shore, and are no ways dangerous.

[Sidenote: Boxy Harbour.]

NNE. three Miles from _Boxey_ Point is the Harbour of _Boxy_; to sail into it you must keep _Boxy_ Point just open of _Fryer's_ Head (a black Head a little within the Point) in this Direction you will keep in the middle of the Channel between the Shoals which lay off from each Point of the Harbour, where the Stages are; as soon as you are within these Shoals, which cover you from the Sea Winds, you may anchor in 5 and 4 Fathom Water, fine sandy Ground.

[Sidenote: St. John's Island, Head, Bay and Harbour.]

West 1 Mile from _Boxy_ Point is the Island of St. _John_'s, which is of a tollerable Height, and steep too, except at the N.E. Point, where is a Shoal a little way off.

N.W. half a League from St. _John_'s _Island_ is St. _John_'s _Head_, which is a high, steep, craggy Point. Between St _John_'s _Head_ and _Boxy Point_, is St. _John_'s _Bay_, in the Bottom of which is St. _John_'s _Harbour_, wherein is only Water for Boats.

[Sidenote: Gull and Shag.]

On the North-side of St. _John_'s _Head_ are two rocky Islands, called the _Gull_ and _Shag_; at the West-end of these Islands are some sunken Rocks.

[Sidenote: Great Bay de Leau.]

One League and a half to the Northward of St. _John_'s _Head_ is the _Great Bay de Leau_, wherein is good Anchorage in various depths of Water, sheltered from all Winds. The best Passage in is on the East-side of the Island, laying in the Mouth of it; nothing can enter in on the West-side but small Vessels and Shallops.

[Sidenote: Little Bay Barrysway.]

To the Westward of _Bay de Leau_, 3 Miles NNW. from St. _John_'s _Head_ is _Little Bay Barrysway_, on the West-side of which is good Anchorage for large Ships in 7, 8, or 10 Fathom Water; here is good Fishing Conveniencies, with plenty of Wood and Water.

[Sidenote: Harbour Briton.]

[Sidenote: South West Arm.]

_Harbour Briton_ lies to the Westward of _Little Bay Barrysway_, North 1 Leag. and a half from the Island of _Sagona_, and N. by E. from East-end of _Brunet_. The two Heads, which from the Entrance of this Harbour or Bay are pretty high, and lay from each other E.N.E. and W.S.W. above 2 Miles; near the East Head is a Rock above Water, by which it may be known: There are no Dangers in going in until you are the Length of the South Point of the S.W. Arm, which is more than a Mile within the West Head; from off this Point stretches out a Ledge of Rocks N.E. about two Cables Length; the only Place for King's Ships to Anchor is above this Point, before the S.W. Arm in 16 or 18 Fathom Water, mooring nearly East and West, and so near the Shore as to have the East Head on with the Point above-mentioned; the Bottom is very good, and the Place convenient for Wooding and Watering. In the SW. Arm is Room for a great Number of Merchant Ships, and many Conveniencies for Fishing Vessels.

[Sidenote: Jerseyman's Harbour.]

Opposite to the S.W. Arm is the N.E. Arm or _Jerseyman_'s _Harbour_, which is capable of holding a great number of Ships, securely shelter'd from all Winds. To sail into it you must keep the Point of _Thompson_'s _Beach_ (which is the Beach Point, at the Entrance into the S.W. Arm) open of _Jerseyman_'s _Head_, (which is a high bluff Head at the North Entrance into _Jerseyman_'s _Harbour_) this Mark will lead you over the Bar in the best of the Channel, where you will have 3 Fathom at Low-water; as soon as you open the Harbour, haul up North, and Anchor where its most convenient in 8, 7 or 6 Fathom Water, good Ground, and shelter'd from all Winds. In this Harbour are several convenient Places for erecting many Stages, and good Beach room. _Jerseymen_ generally lay their Ships up in this Harbour, and cure their Fish at _Fortune_ and _Grand Bank_.

[Sidenote: Gull Island, and Deadman's Bay.]

From Harbour _Briton_ to the W. end of _Brunet_, and to the _Plate Islands_, the Course is S.W. by S. 6 Leagues and a half to the Southermost _Plate_. From _Harbour Briton_ to _Cape Miquelon_ is S.W. a quarter W. 10 Leagues. From the West Head of _Harbour Briton_ to _Cannaigre Head_, the Course is W. by S. Distant 2 Leagues; between them are _Gull-Island_ and _Deadman's Bay_. _Gull-Island_ lies close under the Land, 2 Miles to the Westward of Harbour _Briton_. _Deadman's Bay_ is to the Westward of _Gull-Island_, wherein you may Anchor with the Land Winds. Between _Harbour Briton_ and _Cannaigre Head_, is a Bank stretching off from the Shore between 2 and 3 Miles, whereon is various Depths of Water from 34 to 4 Fathom. Fishermen say that they have seen the Sea break in very bad Weather, a good way without _Gull-Island_.

[Sidenote: Cannaigre Head.]

[Sidenote: Cannaigre Bay.]

[Sidenote: Cannaigre Rocks.]

_Cannaigre Head_ which forms the East Point of the Bay of the same Name, lies North Easterly 3 Leagues and a half from the West-end of _Brunet_; it is a high craggy Point, easy to be distinguished from any Point of view. From this Head to _Basstarre_ Point, the Course is W. by N. half N. 2 Leagues, and likewise W. by N. half N. 3 Leagues and a half to the Rocks of _Pass Island_; but to give them a Birth make a W. by N. Course good. Between _Cannaigre Head_ and _Basstarre Point_ is _Cannaigre Bay_, which extends itself about 4 Leagues Inland, at the Head of which is a Salmon River. In the Mouth of the Bay lay the Rocks of the same Name above Water, you may approach these Rocks very near, there being no Danger but what discovers itself. The Channel between them and the North Shore is something Dangerous, by reason of a range of Rocks which lie along Shore, and extend themselves 1 Mile off.

[Sidenote: Cannaigre Harbour.]

_Cannaigre Harbour_ which is very small, with 7 Fathom Water in it, is within a Point on the South-side of the Bay, 5 Miles above the Head: The Passage into the Harbour is on the S.E. Side of the Island, lying before it. Nearly in the Middle of the Bay, abreast of this Harbour, are two Islands of a tolerable Height, on the South-side of the Westermost Island, which is the largest, are some Rocks above Water.

[Sidenote: Dawson's Cove.]

This Cove is on the N.W. Side of the Bay, bears North, Distance about 4 Miles from the Head, and East 2 Miles from the W. end of the _Great Island_. In it are good Fishing Conveniences, and Anchorage for Vessels in 6 and 5 Fathom Water, but they will lay open to the Southerly Winds. Between the S.W. Point of this Cove and _Basstarre Point_, which is 5 Miles Distance, lays the Range of Rocks beforementioned.

[Sidenote: Basstarre Point.]

_Basstarre Point_ which forms the West Point of _Cannaigre Bay_, is of a moderate Height, clear of Wood, and bold too, all the way from it to _Pass-Island_, which bears N.W. by W. 1 League from _Basstarre Point_.

[Sidenote: Observations.]

The Land on the North-side of _Fortune Bay_ for the most Part is hilly, rising directly from the Sea, with craggy, barren Hills, which extends 4 or 5 Leag. Inland, with a great Number of Rivulets and Ponds. The Land on the South side of _Fortune Bay_, has a different Appearance to that on the North-side, being not so full of craggy Mountains, and better cloathed with Woods, which are of a short brushy kind, which makes the face of the Country look green.

[Sidenote: Pass Island.]

_Pass Island_ lies N. 16° 30' East 7 Leagues and a half from _Cape Miquelon_, it is the N.W. extremity of _Fortune Bay_, and lies very near the Shore, is more than 2 Miles in circuit and is pretty high. On the S.W. Side are several Rocks above Water, which extend themselves 1 Mile from the Island, and on the N.W. Side is a sunken Rock at a quarter of a Mile from the Island; the Passage between this Island and the Main, which is near two Cables Length wide, is very safe for small Vessels, wherein you may Anchor in 6 Fathom, a fine sandy Bottom. This Island is well situated for the Cod Fishery, there being very good Fishing Ground about it.

[Sidenote: On the Soundings.]

In the Night time, or in foggy Weather, Ships ought to place no great Dependance on the Soundings in _Fortune Bay_, least they may be deceived thereby, for you have more Water in many Parts near the Shore, and in several of its contained Bays and Harbours, than in the middle of the Bay itself.

Description of _Hermitage Bay_.

From _Pass Island_ to _Great Jervis Harbour_, at the Entrance into the Bay of _Despair_, the Course is N. by E. a quarter E. near three Leagues; and from _Pass Island_ to the West End of _Long Island_, the Course is NNE. 8 Miles, between them is the Bay of _Hermitage_, which lies in ENE. 8 Leagues from _Pass Island_, with very deep Water in most Parts of it.

[Sidenote: Fox Islands.]

The two _Fox Islands_, which are but small, lie nearly in the middle of _Hermitage Bay_, 3 Leagues and a half from _Pass Island_; near to these Islands is good Fishing Ground.

[Sidenote: Hermitage Cove.]

_Hermitage Cove_ is on the South-side of the Bay, opposite to _Fox's Islands_. To sail into it, you must keep between the Islands and the South Shore, where there is not the least Danger; in this Cove is good Anchorage for Shipping in 8 and 10 Fathom Water, and good Fishing Conveniences, with plenty of Wood and Water.

[Sidenote: Long Island.]

_Long Island_, which separates the Bay of _Despair_ from _Hermitage_, is of a triangular Form, about 8 Leagues in Circuit, of a tolerable Height, is hilly, uneven and barren. The East Entrance into the Bay of _Despair_ from _Hermitage Bay_, is by the West-end of _Long Island_; about half a Mile from the S.W. Point of the said Island, are two Rocks above Water, with deep Water all round them.

[Sidenote: Long Island Harbour.]

This Harbour lies on the South-side of _Long Island_, 2 Miles and a half from the West-end; before which is an Island, and several Rocks above Water, there is a narrow Passage into the Harbour on each Side of the Island; this Harbour is formed by two Arms, one laying into the North, and the other to the Eastward; they are both very narrow, and have in them from 42 to 7 Fathom Water; the East Arm is the deepest, and the best Anchorage.

[Sidenote: Round Harbour.]

This Harbour, wherein is 6 Fathom Water, lies near 2 Miles to the E. ward of _Long Island Harbour_, is also in _Long-Island_; it will only admit very small Vessels, by reason the Channel going in is very narrow.

[Sidenote: Picarre.]

_Harbour Picarre_ lies N. by W. half a League from _Little Fox Island_, (which is the Westermost of _Fox Islands_) to sail into it you must keep near the West-point to avoid some sunken Rocks off the other, and anchor in the first Cove on the East-side in 9 or 10 Fathom, sheltered from all Winds.

[Sidenote: Galtaus.]

This Harbour, which is but small, lies near the East-point of _Long-Island_; at the Entrance is several rocky Islands. The best Channel into the Harbour is on the West-side of these Islands, wherein is 4 Fathom Water, but in the harbour is from 15 to 24 Fathom. Here are several Places proper for erecting of Stages; and both this Harbour and _Picarre_ are conveniently situated for a Fishery, they laying contiguous to the Fishing Ground about _Fox Islands_.

[Sidenote: Passage of Long Island]

Between the East-end of _Long Island_ and the Main, is a very good Passage out of _Hermitage Bay_, into the Bay of _Despair_.

Description of the Bay of _Despair_.

The Entrance of the Bay of _Despair_ lies between the West-end of _Long Island_ and _Great Jervis Island_, (an Island in the Mouth of the Harbour of the same Name) the Distance from one to the other is 1 Mile and a Quarter, and in the Middle between them is no Soundings with 280 Fathoms.

[Sidenote: Great Jervis Island.]

_Great Jervis Harbour_ is situated at the West Entrance into the Bay of _Despair_ is a snug and safe Harbour, with good Anchorage in every Part of it, in 16, 18 or 20 Fathom, though but small will contain a great Number of Shipping, securely sheltered from all Winds, and very convenient for wooding and watering. There is a Passage into this Harbour on either Side of _Great Jervis Island_, the southermost is the safest, there being in it no Danger but the Shore itself. To sail in on the North-side of the Island, you must keep in the middle of the Passage, until you are within two small Rocks above Water near to each other on your Starboard-side, a little within the North Point of the Passage; you must then bring the said North Point between these Rocks, and steer into the Harbour, in that Directions will carry you clear of some sunken Rocks which lie off the West Point of the Island; these Rocks appear at Low-water. The Entrance into this Harbour may be known by the East-end of _Great Jervis Island_, which is a high steep craggy Point, called _Great Jervis Head_, and is the North Point of the South Entrance into the Harbour.

[Sidenote: North Bay.]

This is an Arm of the Bay of _Despair_, which extends to the Northward 5 Leagues from _Great Jervis Island_. In this Bay is very deep Water, and no Anchorage but in the small Bays and Coves which are on each Side of it. At the Head of the Bay of the East, which is an Arm of the North Bay, is a very fine Salmon River, and plenty of various Sorts of Wood.

[Sidenote: Eagle Island.]

To the Northward of _Long Island_, the Bay of _Despair_ extends itself to the NE. about 8 Leagues, whereon are several Arms and Islands. The first is _Eagle Island_ laying on the North-side of _Long Island_, about half a Cable's Length from the Shore; a little to the Eastward of it is a small Cove, wherein small Vessels can Anchor in 5 Fathom Water; off the E. Point of this Cove are some sunken Rocks, the outermost of which lay a quarter of a Mile from the Shore, and appears at half Ebb.

[Sidenote: Frenchman's Harbour.]

This harbour lies on the North-side of _Long Island_, 2 Miles above _Eagle Island_, in and before which Vessels may anchor in various Depths of Water; about a Cable's length to the Eastward of the West Point of the Harbour is a sunken Rock whereon is 8 Feet Water; a little way further to the Eastward is a small Island not far from the Shore, near to which is a Rock that just Covers at high Water.

[Sidenote: Isle Bois.]

On the North-side of the Bay, opposite to _Long Island_, lies the _Isle Bois_, it is near 3 Leagues in Length, and of a tolerable Height; the Passage on the North-side of it (called _Lampadois_ Passage) is very safe, but very deep Water.

[Sidenote: Fox Island.]

This Island lies nearly in the middle of the Bay, between the East-end of the Isle of _Bois_ and _Long Island_, it is of a round Form, pretty high, and bold too all round.

[Sidenote: Isle Riches.]

The _Isle Riches_ lies off the East-end of the Isle of _Bois_, it is about a Mile in Circuit, and pretty high; on the East-side of it are some small Islands, and some sunken Rocks quite a-cross from the Island to the Main, so that in sailing up the Bay of _Despair_, you must leave this Island on your Starboard-side.

[Sidenote: Little River.]

This is an Arm of the Bay laying in to the Eastward from the Isle of _Riches_, it is very narrow, and counted a good Place for a Salmon Fishery; its Banks are stored with various Sorts of Wood.

[Sidenote: Bay Rotte.]

This is a small Bay which lays North from the East-end of the Isle of _Bois_, in which are some sunken Rocks near the Head.

[Sidenote: Bay of Conne.]

From the Isle of _Riches_ the Bay extends itself to the Northward about five Miles, commonly called the Bay or River of _Conne_, then branches into two Arms, one still tending to the North, and the other to the Eastward; the Water is very shallow for some Distance from the Head of both. About these Arms, and the Bay of _Conne_, are great Plenty of all Sorts of Wood, common to this Country, such as Firr, Pine, Birch, Witch-Hasle, Spruce, _&c._

[Sidenote: Observations.]

All the Country about the Entrance into the Bay of _Despair_, and for a good Way up it is very mountainous and barren, but about the Head of the Bay it appears to be pretty level, and well cloathed with Wood.

[Sidenote: On the Tides.]