The state herald., 1912-03-15

Ice in the Bay of Islands and
Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. the
quick dash of the revenue cut.
ters Gresham and Androscoggin to aid
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 centered there.
The uncertainties attending naviga-
tion 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
on shore before the two revenue cut.
ters 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 n trip to Newfound.
land TO purchase load of herring
from tho 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 feet to be
shut in by the huge cakes OF what
sLilors 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 WI.
liam M0rrissey. was wrecked OF Ia.
BILE Point. In endeavoring to escape.
Scenery Picturesque.
Bay OF Islands is picturesque
place, attractive In the summer. even
though a winters stay there would
prove monotonous. AS It's name I'm.
plies, Il is studded with Islands. some
OF which rise to lofty height. At its
entrance the bay is 10 miles wide. and
II is there that most OF the Islands
are situated. Easily accessible. II is
spacious inlet. being Is miles In
depth, with a 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 Ii that called Humber sound,
which extends from the southeastern
part OF tho bay for about 2S miles
eastorly into the couatry. The river
Humber is at its mouth. and is the
second largest stream OF the island.
To the south OF the sound rises n
range OF hills called Blo-ml don, or
Blow.medown hills. varying In height
from 500 TO 1000 feet. As they near
the river tho hills level gradually un.
n, at tho rivers edge their height is
NJ. In excess OF 300 feet Except In
winter they present n rich colorlng OF
varied foliage which extends to the
river banks,
The settlement or village OF bay OF
Islands contains less than 1000 peo
pie. and Is we'll up tho Humber Arm
Nesting at the foot OF the hills and
sheltered by their peaks. tho village
with It's tiny white houses Is typical
OF the smaller settlements OF the IA
land. It's inhabitants are mainly nah
erman. engaged for good part O,
the year In catching the herring which
are sold TO tho Gloucester men.
Smaller than Bay OF Islands and %
tho north Of that inle, il Bonne BAY
ItA fishing interests are smaller than
those Of lta neiEhbor. and compriHs
salmon and cod In addition to herring
Soil In that vicinity Ia very fertile
and well adapted TO grazing purposes
The fact that herring swarm IN
countloas millions along the gulf coast
of Newfoundland. and particularly IA
hay OF Islands and Bonno bay. Ant
that the island n comparatively &c
near tho United s,atos. yet under IN,
rule OF another power. led TO ininit.
international fishing dlhputos Tho ro
suit Of these wrangllngn has been thn
American fishermen now buy all theii
herring from the natives, confirms
their activities largely 10 loading N,
enrroca and treating them on tb,
hom.ward voyage,
torrlnps Spawn Early In April.
Early In April or May large school
of herring put into the deepwAter bay,
20 spawn. and thus are oomparatlyei,
vaiuoleHa for food purposes. bsin,
N..N
titles Of these herring nre sold To-
bait tof the Bank nshlnE vessels.