Indian Bay
Town

Phone : (709) 678-2727
Your Host(s) : Municipality

Indian Bay, NL (Nearby: Centreville-Wareham-Trinity, Dover, Hare Bay, New-Wes-Valley, St. Brendan's)

10-18 Municipal Cres.
Indian Bay, A0G 2V0


Newfoundland Tourism Region : Central


Indian Bay: Located on the Northwest Arm of Bonavista Bay at its head, Indian Bay is a town that has had more than one name.

Originally it was known as Parson's Point, after the first family of settlers, and for a while it went by the name of Northwest Arm. However, when the town's name was changed to Indian Bay is unknown nor the rational behind the choice.

Today, given the various "movements" to rename names of towns, teams, awards, etc. that are considered to offensive, one has to wonder if the community's name will change once again. There is quite a bit of information available on the town's history.

According to ENL sources, in the early 1700s, George Skeffington, the owner of a large salmon fishery, with the backing of St. John's merchant William Keen, was known to be fishing for salmon in the area, and most likely lived near the outlet of the Indian River, where it flows into the actual bay, known as Indian Bay.

As a result of his "research" the first of many fisheries opened up. By the end of the 1700s there were at least 8 salmon operations, which is not surprising as Indian Bay was the only community between Salvage and Greenspond. Skeffington's biography makes for an interest "read".

From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography comes the following, which not only describes Skeffington's life but the salmon fishery as it began in Newfoundland and Labrador: Born probably in Bristol of Quaker parents, Skeffington was established as a small trader in Bonavista by about 1700. There he practised the trades of ship- chandler and cooper.

During the winter months he sold rum and wine on credit, and was reimbursed with interest at the end of the fishing season. Soon he recognized that there was a potentially lucrative trade in freshwater fish.

Although the rivers of Newfoundland were rich in salmon, few attempts had been made to develop inland fishing. Leaving a capable factor to manage the chandlery business during his absence, Skeffington, with the help of a few adventurous hired hands, was soon netting large catches of salmon.

He was able to sell his fish to the merchant ships touching at Bonavista, and for a time thrived without opposition. In the winter of 1704-5, however, a French expedition, led by Auger de Subercase, attacked the English settlements in Newfoundland.

Skeffington, as one of the town's leading men, was in charge of the Bonavista settlement when news arrived of the approach of a French force under Testard de Montigny. Perhaps in order to save his property, perhaps because of his Quaker principles, Skeffington promptly surrendered the town and agreed to pay a ransom.

When the French withdrew they took Skeffington with them, and he remained for some months at Placentia (Plaisance) before an exchange of prisoners procured his release.

On his return to Bonavista, he continued to explore the lakes and rivers north of the town, taking care not to overfish any particular water. In September 1718 Skeffington proposed to set up a joint fishery with William Keen, a merchant of St John's.

Skeffington was to organize the actual fishing, while Keen would provide the salt and necessary equipment. The enterprise was not particularly successful, however, partly because interlopers encroached on the area claimed by the partners; Keen lost £120 in the deal.

Fishing in the interior of Newfoundland was difficult and dangerous. The men had to construct dams, clear the rivers, and build houses for curing the salmon; provisions were scarce and the weather was harsh.

The Beothuks frequently wandered across the fishing areas looking for ochre. In 1721 they killed some of Skeffington's men; they also broke his dams, took away his nets, and made off with his provisions and gear.

During 1724 they were again troublesome, and Skeffington petitioned the government for two boats with six soldiers apiece, with which he proposed to keep the country free from Indians. He was granted a guard and no doubt contributed to the destruction of the Beothuks.

Despite the manifold problems, Skeffington's fishery was extensive. In 1720 he had successfully petitioned the crown for salmon fishing rights for 21 years in a large area around Bonavista.

During this year it was estimated that he employed 30 men, and sent abroad 530 "tierces" of salmon, valued at 30s. a tierce, together with fur and seal oil to a value of £6,000.

By 14 Oct. 1729 Skeffington had disposed of his fishery and, as he figures no more in the Newfoundland records, he presumably retired to England.

It is believed that Indian Bay, as a "community" was actually settled in the early 1800s. By the 1900s the population had increased to 40, most likely due to employment at one of three sawmills that had been established there.

That was followed by the establishment of a lobster factory, also providing employment to those in the area. A major employer, International Power and Paper Co. (later known as Bowater's), arrived in 1921 and the population expanded to almost 300.

Unfortunately, a series of fires (1961 and 1963) resulted in a number of families moving away. At the last census in 2016, there were only 175 residents. There was virtually no change in from the earlier census of 2011 when there were 174 (a 0.6% increase).

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/IndianBayNL



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