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Battle Harbour

View of Battle Harbour, Labrador

From the early years of fishing activity on the south Labrador coast, Battle Harbour was the
important and indeed crucial supply depot of the coastal region. Supplies of salt, food staples,
marine hardware, fishing supplies and household items were staged by the mercantile
interests at Battle Harbour to support the fish catching and curing activity and the hundreds of
families engaged in the industry along the coast. Dr. Wilfred Grenfell established the first
hospital in Labrador at Battle Harbour in 1893.

The early merchants in Battle Harbour were the Slade's, succeeded in 1871 by Baine Johnston
and Company. As the strategic interests of Baine Johnston changed from the production of
fish for world markets, the Battle Harbour establishment was sold to Earle Freighting Service
Limited of Carbonear who, from 1955 until the collapse of the ground fish industry in 1991,
continued with the operation. In vacating the premises, Earle's left them almost intact and
other than from deterioration through time, the premises including wharves, shops, stores and
equipment remained untouched until the Earle’s generously deeded their entire premises to
the Battle Harbour Trust, who began a program of factual restoration circa 1929. They had
much to work with and the restored village of Battle Harbour today is a replication of the
working village of yesteryear.

Battle Harbour’s future will be linked to the tourist industry and modern, comfortable
accommodation awaits history buffs and those seeking an out of the ordinary travel
destination.

Photograph courtesy of Gordon C. Slade.


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Battle Harbour in the 50s

Photos Thanks to Bob Hardy

Bert Hardy, Guy Earle, Lloyd Rossiter &  Reg Garland

Click here to read how the Hardy's and Earle's met

Bob Hardy's Aunts Poem of the Kyle

Photo taken by G.W. Penny of Carbonear