The People
The first settlers seem to have arrived
at Safe Harbour in the early 1860's. One of the earliest land grants was
“Safe Harbour Island”, which is situated on the north side of the entrance
to Safe Harbour. It was granted to William Knee of Pool’s Island. Some of
the earliest residents were Janes, Gillingham, Burton, Davis, Elkins, and
Attwood. The community continued to grow, so that by 1920 all the shore line
land of the harbour — about two miles – had been taken up in grants. The
community reached its peak around 1901 when the population had grown to over
300 people.
The first census of Safe Harbour was done
in 1874. It showed a population of 98 residents, all of which were Anglican.
They built a combination church-school on the north side of the harbour
which served their needs until 1928 when it was closed down.
In the year 1891 the Methodist, who were
growing in numbers, constructed a multi-use building to be used as their
church and school. The census of 1885 revealed a population of 200 people -
- 113 Methodist and 87 Anglican. In the year 1901 the census showed a
population of 313, of which 207 were Methodist and 106 Anglican.
By the year 1905 the Methodist
church-school proved to be too small for the growing congregation and a new
building was planned. With Mr. Kenneth Attwood as the master builder the new
church was erected and dedicated on December 13, 1909. The Methodist also
built a two- room school on the south side of Rocky Cove.
The Cod Fishery
Safe Harbour, like most of Newfoundland’s
outport communities, was highly dependant on the cod fishery. Our men built
their own boats and schooners to sail in pursuit of the inshore and Labrador
fisheries. The Labrador fishermen would be away from home for many weeks,
but what excitement when they came sailing home with a big load of fish. Who
can forget how stately the beautiful the schooners looked, anchored safely
in the harbour. To see them under sail in a stiff breeze was a sight never
to be forgotten. They drew the young boys like a magnet.
Some of the names of those fishing
schooners were: Norman R.; Parallel; Maggie Blackwood; Athlete; Tessie and
Aubrey; Short Wave.
Whale Fishery
In 1904 a whale factory was built in Safe
Harbour to take advantage of the then very profitable whale fishery. This
provided much needed employment to many residents for a few short years.
However, this endeavour was short lived because the relentless hunting soon
decimated the whale population, and in 1907 the whale factory was
dismantled.
Relocation
During the late 1930's and early 1940's
many Safe Harbour families moved to Corner Brook where the men obtained
permanent full time jobs at the paper mill. This was the beginning of the
outward migration from Safe Harbour. In the 40's more families went away to St.
John’s and the mainland to find work. In the fifties those remaining
families began to move to the nearby communities of Badger’s Quay and
Valleyfield, floating their houses across the water or dragging them on the
winter ice. The last family moved out in 1955.
Safe Harbour Today
Today not a single house remains, just a
few summer cabins. Though no longer populated and accessible only by boat,
Safe Harbour is still a much visited site during the summer months. Go when
you will, you will usually find another boat in the harbour. It’s a peaceful
scenic spot to picnic, pick berries, or just enjoy a walk around the
pristine shore line. Many ex Safe Harbour people now living away return home
for a visit each summer. Invariably they want to visit the cemeteries and
the site of their old homes.
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