Cartwright: Located in Sandwich Bay, but closer to the opening to the Labrador Sea than Paradise River, in an area known as Fox Cove, was settled in 1775 by Captain George Cartwright for the purpose of being a fish and fur trading post.

George was second of ten children of William Cartwright and Anne Cartwright, who along with his brother John were a couple of the earlier explorers that surveyed parts of the interior of the island NL which up until this point were completely unknown to Europeans (e.g., Exploits River area in particular).

George lived and worked in Labrador from 1770 to 1786, at which point he returned to England. In describing Cartwright's last years, G.M Story (2003) wrote the following.

His military experience led to his appointment during the Napoleonic Wars as barrack master at Nottingham where in later years, known by the sobriquet "Old Labrador," he was a distinguished and popular figure.

A handsome man of strong and robust figure and unbending tory principles, he was courtly and agreeable in conversation.

He died in 1819 at the age of 80, characteristically occupied on his deathbed with proposals to the Hudson's Bay Company to establish trading-posts on the coast of Labrador...

The business that Cartwright established was sold first to the company of Hunt and Henley in 1815 and subsequently to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1873 continues to operate today and up on Flagstaff Hill, overlooking the town and the harbour below, the two cannons that Cartwright placed to defend his trading post from privateers and pirates are still present as a reminder of the past.

There are scheduled flights into Cartwright from other parts of Canada and the port is a major location for offloading freight destined to the north Labrador Coast.

In 2002 a gravel highway between Red Bay and Cartwright was opened; in 2009 the highway was extended to connect the town with Central and Western Labrador.

In 2016 the population was recorded as being 427 (a 15.35% decrease from the 504 in 2011).

One of the major employers today is the Labrador Fisherman's Union Shrimp Company which processes crab and whelk, employs 100 to 150 people, according to the Labrador Coastal Drive website. In 2016 the population was recorded as being 427 (a 15.35% decrease from the 504 in 2011).

SANDWICH BAY:

Sandwich Bay (Inuktitut: Natsitok): Located in the southern part of Labrador, the principal permanent settlement is Cartwright, located at the south entrance to the inner part of the bay.

Other settlements along the bay include Paradise River and North River. Both of these communities are located at the outlets of the rivers of the same name into the bay.

There is a road following the entire eastern coastline of Sandwich Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador Route 516 (Cartwright Highway). It is believed, according to the Rankin Report, that Joseph Gilbert named the bay after one of his contemporary admiralty ships (1.c., the Sandwich).

According to information presented in Wikipedia, "Six ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Sandwich, either after the English seaside town of Sandwich, or one of the holders of the title Earl of Sandwich, particularly Vice-Admiral Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, or First Lord of the Admiralty John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich).

Located in the East Coast Boreal Natural Region of Parks Canada's world-class system of national parks, Akami-Uapishk"-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is Canada's newest and 46th national park and the park's mission is to protect the approximately 10,700 square kilometres of a stunning array of pristine landscapes, vegetation and wildlife.

Given its location in Labrador, however, getting to the Akami-Uapishk"-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is no easy there is no direct road access, and it will take time before the park becomes fully accessible (and operational).

The closest communities are Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Sheshatshiu, North West River, Rigolet, Cartwright, Paradise River and Mud Lake.

The closest major airport is located at Happy Valley-Goose Bay. From there, the park is accessible year round via helicopter or float plane. In winter, access by snowmobile is possible before the ice breakup occurs.

The traditional names of the park are Akami-Uapishk", an Innu wor meaning "White Mountains across", and KakKasuak, a Labrador Inuit word for "mountain". The highlight of the park is the glacially-rounded, bare rock summits of the Mealy Mountains that reach up to 1180 meters to overlook Lake Melville.

The pristine landscape of mountain tundra, marine coasts, boreal forests, islands, rivers and waterfalls are home to numerous boreal species. For thousands of years ancient human cultures have also called this place home.

For the Innu, Inuit, and others, the landscapes of this outstanding natural region hold great cultural significance.

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/Cartwright