Carbonear

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It's difficult to believe this lovely area once had pirates and military battles. It's not hard to believe it had a prosperous fishery and forestry.

The Town of Carbonear was first mentioned in documents by Fishing Admirals in 1550. The town was settled year-round in 1630 by Nicholas Guy.

Since most European fisherman had been impressed (kidnapped and held on boat against their will) it was illegal for them to leave the boat of their employ and spend the winter in Newfoundland. Although it was illegal, there were people willing to take the chance, jump boat and try to make a life for themselves in the new world. If they were caught, they could either be keelhauled or hung from the mainsail.

Since it is an older town, it's not surprising to drive by lovely, vintage homes that have been well maintained. The census of 1996 counted 5,168 people in this town; in 2001 it had dwindled to 4,759. More information about Carbonear is available at http://www.carbonear.ca/.