The Peopling of Newfoundland and Labrador Unit 2 (2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7)

2.4 Developments in Europe

Between 1200 and 1400, European society began to change. By the early 1500’s, mariners use astronomy and mathematics to navigate. This allows them to travel out of sight of land.

Astrolabe Compass

Europe’s population was expanding into the 15th century causing demand for more food. There was also a desire to find a direct route to Asia to obtain spices, tea and silk which were very difficult and expensive to buy. Explorers such as Christopher Columbus and John Cabot set out from Europe to find Asia. They discovered America (1492) and Newfoundland (1497).

John Cabot

The Matthew

When Cabot arrived, he found the waters teeming with codfish When Cabot arrived, he found the waters teeming with codfish. A very valuable resource! In the early 1500’s, Portuguese and French vessels came to fish for the summer. Later, English and Spanish ships came as well.

Salt codfish

Why was salt fish valuable? inexpensive source of protein long shelf life light weight and small size – easily transported easily stored for use in winter when meat was not available consumed by Catholics and some Protestants who abstained from meat on Fridays and through Lent

The fishery created jobs for other Europeans as well – people to make: Salt Nets Hooks Barrels As well as people to sell the fish to foreign markets Some of the fishermen were recruited to serve in the navy.

CASE STUDY: BASQUE WHALING PAGE 132

2.5 The Migratory Fishery

(The French Fishery in Newfoundland) LA MORUE SÈCHE (The French Fishery in Newfoundland) French fishery took place twice a year Vessels came in January and in the summer

How fish were caught and cured: people fished from platforms on the sides of large ships using hooks and lines. Green fishery – fish were heavily salted but not dried.

Where did the French fish? mainly on the Grand Banks sometimes inshore in Placentia Bay Later…on the north and west coasts (French Treaty Shore) These fish were salted and dried.

The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) Because France lost a battle in Europe, it was forced to give up some of it’s rights in North America. Rights to Newfoundland were given to Great Britain. French people were not permitted to settle in Nfld., but were allowed to fish on the French shore.

The English Inshore Fishery June to August (sailed in late March to arrive on time and get best places) “Rooms” (fishing grounds) were allotted on a first come basis. On arrival, crew members repaired or rebuilt stages, flakes and buildings. Then they got bait for fishing.

Fished in crews of 3 – 5 men using hooks and lines. Shore crews cured the fish: headed, gutted, split, washed, lightly salted and laid fish to dry on flakes. “dry” cure – used little salt and got a better price. Difficult and expensive for the English to obtain salt.

How to split a Cod Fish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmOSxrkLXmM

ECONOMICS England Spain Other parts of Europe Food and clothing Cod Salt Fruit, wine, olive oil

The West Indies – poorly cured saltfish (poorer quality) was brought to plantation owners to feed to slaves. This was traded for sugar, rum and molasses. Colonists in New England traded the goods between Newfoundland and the West Indies.

Quintal of fish = 112 pounds

The Newfoundland Pirate Peter Easton Captain Peter Easton was originally a British privateer who raided Spanish ships with the full blessing of his king. When England made peace with Spain in 1604, Easton was left in Newfoundland with three ships and no official way to make money to pay for them. Easton became a pirate – one of the most successful to terrorize ships along the Newfoundland coast. Why do you think I am talking about a pirate in class?! Interested in finding out what happened to him?

At the height of his pirate career he commanded 40 ships and used Harbour Grace as his base. Easton was not a bloodthirsty rogue. He treated Newfoundland settlers, traders and governors with care, and tried to win a pardon from his King. Despite his desire for respectability, Easton never managed to shed his "arch-pirate" image. He eventually retired, with two million pounds of gold, to the French Riviera. Easton was never brought to justice and eventually used his fortune to buy the title, Marquis of Savoy. Being at that time a handsome man around 40, according to contemporary descriptions, he crowned his career by marrying a very wealthy lady. He remained in the service of the Duke of Savoy until 1620, when he is lost to history.  

Fishery Economics Profitable – many merchants became rich by selling fish. The merchant paid for the vessel, wages, food, and provisions from the profits and still had a lot of money left over.

Merchants had to spend money up front to outfit crews and vessels Merchants had to spend money up front to outfit crews and vessels. If they could not sell their fish, they lost all their investment. An average 100 ton boat with a crew of 40 could catch 200 quintals of dry fish and 100 quintals of green fish. Such a catch would give the owner a good profit and pay for all costs and wages.

Risk Management: Possible risks for merchants: ship wrecks pirates wars disease fish may be scarce poor weather affecting cure exchange rates

To minimize risk, the merchant could: exercise strict supervision of crews hire trusted people as captains share with crew – instead of a set wage, the crew would be paid a percentage of the value of fish caught outfit residents with supplies on credit (fish was used as payment)

Byeboat-keepers (late 1600’s to 1700’s): independent fishermen arrived as passengers let their boats “bye” in the winter sold fish to sack (transport) ships going back to Europe often hired men to protect their gear during the winter eventually brought their wives and children…the beginning of settlement!

GOVERNANCE, LAW and ORDER Once there is settlement, what is needed next? GOVERNANCE, LAW and ORDER

Sponsored Settlements Colonizers such as John Guy (Cupids), Lord Baltimore –Colony of Avalon (Ferryland) and Sir David Kirke (Ferryland – after it was abandoned by Baltimore) were given authority to punish anyone who broke English laws. These settlement did contribute to permanent settlement

Sir D. Kirke John Guy

The Western Charter (1634): Traditions and customs of the fishery were made into law. The fishing admiral was the decision maker in all conflicts.

King William’s Act (1699): expanded the Western Charter New law: settlers had the right to take land not used by the migratory fishermen and claim it as private property.

2.6 Why Not Settle Here?

Why not settle here? Summer fishery Little work in the winter Money made in the fishery was left in Europe…no investment in infrastructure here. English Merchants did not want competition for space in harbours and bays. Look at page 146 … do you recognize any of the names of the first settlers?

Planters – people who chose to settle in Newfoundland either permanently or for a number of years. Eventually a small number of people began to stay on the island over the winter They were called “planters” If it didn’t work for them, they simply moved on to Nova Scotia or New England

Planters By 1675 there were 1655 people living in 30 communities in Newfoundland. Most were young single men who were servants to the “planters”, the owners of the properties and the boats.

2.7 Changing Lifestyles

Changing Lifestyles Community? Not really…think work camp! Young single men Exchanged family members between “this place” and Europe

Fishing Servants Vague descriptions in history Certain it was a hard life Lives revolved around their occupation Construction phase Catching cod & processing it

New Opportunities Over time, new jobs came up for residents Fur trapping, salmon fishing, sealing and small scale farming Now our history in “this place” really got going.