Deadman's Cove: From Blue Cove to Deadman's Cove are a number of communities whose names were easy to "uncover".

There is Pond Cove (with a small pond in the middle of the community), Black Duck Cove (which is now best known for its according players, but one would assume at some point there must have been black ducks found frequently in the water in the cove), Pigeon Cove (probably named after the Black guillemot, or sea pigeon not the common feral pigeon that is now-a-days often considered to be a "nuisance" bird due to their voracious scavenging), and Forrester's Point (which one can assume that it probably got its name from the logging industry) but then one comes to Deadman's Cove.

Located between Anchor Point and Bear Cove, Deadman's Cove is one of those Newfoundland place names that is often listed in compilations of "weird" names of Newfoundland.

The town's name is thought to come from an "incident" that occurred in the harbour. According to the Great Northern Peninsula's website, "one evening the settlers heard fighting and arguments on a passing French vessel.

The next morning three French sailors were found dead by the seashore, hence the name.

At one point the community went by the name of Gengeville, the surname of some of the early settlers, however, that name never "stuck".

Deadman's Cove in the "north" should not be confused with the Deadman's Cove in the south. Often called Deadman's Bight, this community is near Harbour Breton on the Connaigre Peninsula.

According to the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador's that cove was designated as a "municipal heritage site by the Town of Harbour Breton because of its historic, cultural, scientific and aesthetic value".

Its name also came from some interesting maritime lore: Deadman's Cove has historic value as it is a reminder of a way of life once common in the area, recalling a time when small, scattered settlements existed close to bountiful waters and fertile lands.

From the late 1800s to approximately 1944, two small settlements existed here, one at the first cove, commonly referred to as Deadman's Cove, and one at the far corner of the fourth cove, called North West Comer.... The land was suitable for growing root crops and cattle feed, and was also close to a ready supply of fertilizer in the form of caplin and kelp.

Deadman's Cove has cultural value due to its continued, traditional use by the community. The four sandy beaches of Deadman's Cove are popular for its annual caplin roll in mid-June.

When the caplin roll, locals flock to the beaches to gather caplin and for a chance to see whales feeding offshore. In the past, fishermen from nearby communities and sometimes banking schooners would come to Deadman's Cove to get caplin for bait.

Deadman's Cove has further cultural value as it is a component of the legendary cycle in the community of Harbour Breton. As the legend goes, Deadman's Cove got its name following the wreck of a ship crewed by evil-minded men.

The wickedness of the crew was said to have caused the wreck and the death of all onboard. The spirits of the crew were said to haunt the cove in the form of a savage pack of wolves.

Some unlucky sailors who later happened upon the beach were killed by the wolves and it was said that anyone who ventured there would meet the same end.

One day, a woman of upstanding moral quality walked along the beach and as the wolves were about to attack, they were struck dead.

It is said that God intervened, allowing goodness to overcome wickedness, Deadman's Cove has scientific value as archaeological surveys have revealed evidence of prehistoric occupation at the site. During the 1970s, amateur collector Don Locke discovered Dorset Palaeoeskimo artifacts at the site (dating from 1500- 2000 years Before Present), including endblades, microblades, thumbnail scrapers and a notched biface.

Deadman's Cove has aesthetic value due to its scenic landscape and natural features. Shaped by glacial action and sculptured by the sea, the topography includes sandy beaches, offshore islands, rolling grasslands and a red granite cliff.

Nearby Gull Island is a breeding ground for sea gulls, Arctic terns, and cormorants (shags), all of which are very active during the caplin season.

Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin of 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill

Address of this page: http://nl.ruralroutes.com/DeadmansCove