Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-04-05

ice in the Bay of Islands anc
Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland, the
quick dash of the revenue cut
In their rescue, and the subsequent
release of the vessels, has called at
tention to region little known to the
general public, but of great Importance
to the fishermen of Gloucester.
Bay of Islands and Bonne Bay, not
quite half way up the west coast of
Newfoundland. are two of the smallest
inlets of the island. yet for well over
half a century the herring industry
has been conferred there.
The uncertainties attending naviga-
ton in this part of the ocean are en-
phasized when dispatches announced
the release of the imprisoned vessels
when an easterly wind forced the ice
off shore before the two revenue cut
tiers got there, thus enabling the yes
sells to escape into clear water, al
though they were still in peril from
the ice, which might easily have come
back again.
The perils of a trip to Newfound-
land to purchase a load of herring
from the natives are known to every
Gloucester fisherman, and for fishing
vessels to be caught in either of the
two bays and forced to spend the
winter there while their cargoes spoil
Is no new occurrence 1t is unusual.
however, for so large a feet to be
shut in by the huge cakes Of what
sailors call "slob ice" Seventeen of
the schooners were penned in at Bay
Of Islands, seven were frozen In at
bonne Bay, and one vessel. the VIII
liam Morrissey, was wrecked off Ia
BILE Point. in endeavoring to escape.
Scenery Picturesque.
Bay of Islands is picturesque
place, attractive in the summer, even
though winters stay there would
prove monotonous. AS its name i'm
plies, it is studded with islands, some
of-which rise to lofty height. AT it's
entrance the bay Is Is miles wide, and
1t is there that most of the islands
are situated. Easily accessible, 1t is
a spacious inlet, being Is miles in
depth, with fine anchorage on the
southern side.
From the eastern side of the bay
several arms make out, known as
North, South and Humber Arms, or
to fishermen. as Big, Little and Middle
Arms. The most important of these
arms is that called Humber sound,
which extends from the southeastern
part of the bay for about 20 miles |
easterly into the country. The river
Humber is at it's mouth, and is the |
second largest stream OF the island |
To the south Of the sound rises a
range of hills called Blo-mi-don. OF
kills, varying in height
rom 500 to 1000 feet. AS they near
he river the hills level gradually I'M
il at the rivers edge their height is
ID in excess of 300 feet. Except in
winter they present rich coloring of I
Taried foliage which extends to the
liver banks.
The settlement or village OF Bay OF
Stands contains less than 1000 peo-
lie. and is well up the Humber Arm.
Nesting at the foot OF the hills and
heltered by their peaks. the village
With its tiny white houses Is typical
+ the smaller settlements of the is
and Its inhabitants are mainly fish
rman, engaged for a good part of
be year in catching the herring which
re sold to the Gloucester men.
no Do IF Tcfo I
be north of that inlet is Bonnie Bay.
IS fishing interests are smaller than |
hose OF its neighbor. and comprise
almon and cod in addition to herring.
oil in that vicinity is very fertile
nd well adapted to grazing purposes.
The fact that herring swarm In
1untless millions along the gulf coast
7 Newfoundland. and particularly In
ay of Islands and Bonnie bay. and
lat the island is comparatively SO
ear the United States, yet under the
lie of another power. led to infinite /
ternational fishing disputes. The re- s
lit OF these wranglings has been that 7
merican fishermen now buy all their
srring from the natives, combining :
cir activities largely to loading the I
Irgoes and treating them on the 5
,meward voyage. t
Rerrinss Spawn Early in April. (
Early in April or May larg, schools l.
herring put into the deepwater bays
spawn. and thus are comparatively
.lueless for food purposes, being
ed only for bait. Enormous guam d
les OF these herring are sold for
1t for the Bank fishing vessels. ID