Newfoundland
Stories
The Daring Days of Ann Harvey
Defying the tragic history of the Island of the Dead, 17 year-old Ann Harvey took on the impossible and rescued more than 150 shipwrecked immigrants from a windswept rock off southwestern Newfoundland.
The Terrible, Awful, Probably Preventable, Great Fire of 1892
On a hot summer day in 1892 a horrible fire swept through St. John’s. It left eleven-thousand people homeless and forever changed the face of the city.
Frightening Lightning and Horrific Hail in Lumsden
On June 26, 1930 a horrible storm with giant hail pelted the small town of Lumsden and wrecked havoc all along Newfoundland’s east coast.
The Blimp That Blew Away
“Everyone was harried with fear, but they could not take their eyes of the monster which seemed to have life.” That’s how the St. John’s Daily Star described the fateful visit of US blimp C-5 to the city in 1919.
Mermaids, Pirates and Propaganda
The story of pirate Peter Easton and the tale of Newfoundland’s most famous mermaid share one point of connection — Richard Whitbourne.
Francis Pickmore’s Worst Winter. Ever.
How bad can a Newfoundland winter get? How about snow drifts in the governor’s bedroom? Not that the governor complained much - he couldn’t, he ended up pickled in a barrel of rum.
How Did Dildo, Newfoundland Get Its Name?
Owing to its name, Dildo may be one of the best known communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. How the town got such an unusual name is a matter of debate.
John B. Garland and The Blood Book
John B. Garland, Newfoundland’s first speaker of the legislature, had an interesting hobby — making blood collages.
Mary Travers Sells The Speaker’s Chair
It’s often said Newfoundland’s first legislature was held in a tavern. What’s less-well-known is that they failed to pay their tab and that the owner, Mary Travers, collected her due in a way the government wouldn’t soon forget.
Kicking the Concern and Other Curious Christmas Customs
Kicking the concern and other strange Newfoundland Christmas customs.
Mummers, Murder and Mayhem
Not every mummer story has a happy ending. In 1860 a group of mummers killed a man in Bay Roberts , NL — that was only one incident in a string of violent behaviour.
Death at the Barn Dance: The K of C Fire
On Dec 12, 1942, 99 people died in a tragic fire at the Knights of Columbus Barn Dance— and it may not have been an accident.
The Wicked Wreck of the Waterwitch
Discover the true story of the Waterwitch shipwreck near Pouch Cove, Newfoundland in 1875. A daring rescue in a winter storm saved 11 lives and earned local heroes national medals for bravery.
Botwood: Flying Boats & Bob Hope
When World War II came to Newfoundland Botwood was forever changed — and Bob Hope got to add a joke to his repertoire.
Giant Squid: Giant Feast from a Giant Beast
On November 2, 1878 a giant squid came ashore in Thimble Tickle, Newfoundland. It became a world record holder, inspired a life-sized sculpture and appeared on a stamp. It also became dinner.
The Gruesome Gibbets of Newfoundland
Murder, macabre justice and mayhem! In 18th century Newfoundland there was a punishment worse than death — the gibbet.
The Day The Sky Fell
On October 19, 1936 some parts of Newfoundland thought the world was ending. Literally.
Digging Into The Brigus Tunnel
Discover the Brigus Tunnel, a historic Newfoundland heritage site built in 1860 for the cod fishery—now linked to pirate legends and folklore.
The Bones at the Crossroad
On September 14, 1896 St. John’s city workers made a gruesome discovery under Military Road.
Queen Elizabeth’s First Postage Stamp
The first time Queen Elizabeth II appeared on a postage stamp it was in 1932… and it was in Newfoundland.