Newfoundland is full of interesting, whimsical and downright strange place names and there’s a story behind each one. With Halloween upon us, I thought it was a good time to dig into some of my favourite Newfoundland place names with a creepy vibe… From names that hint at something sinister to those with curious histories, here are a few of the stories (and mysteries) behind the names on the Newfoundland map.
Isle Aux Morts
Maybe it doesn’t sound too creepy in English, but Isle aux Morts is French for Island of the Dead… and that stretch of coastline earned the name.
The waters off the Isle aux Morts have been home to countless shipwrecks over the years. The community is situated on the southwest corner of Newfoundland and vessels trying to pass through the Cabot Strait (between Newfoundland and Cape Breton) too often misjudged their position and were wrecked on the rocks near the community. With those ship wrecks, of course, came much loss of life.
One of the best known wrecks in the area was that of the Despatch. In 1828, when the ship ran aground near the community, Ann Harvey and her family, braved freezing waters and powerful surf to rescue survivors. Using a small boat and sheer determination, they made rowed back and forth through the storm until no one was left behind.
It remains one of the most incredible true survival and rescue stories in Canadian maritime history.
You can read more about it here.
Gros Morne
Gros Morne mountain looking great and sombre.
This one is not a community, its geological feature, a mountain to be precise.
Gros Morne can be found on the west coast of the island, near Bonne Bay and in the national park that is named for it. It is a beautiful part of the island and, if you haven’t visited it yet, you should add it to your travel plans.
Like Isle aux Morts, the name Gros Morne is French. It has been translated to English in a number of ways — big hill, big lonely hill, or my favourite Great Sombre.
Great Sombre probably has a decent Halloween vibe all on its own, but that’s not why I included it on this list. I included it because of the way it is pronounced.
In Newfoundland Gros Morne is pronounced as ‘gross morn’ which, to me, sounds both gross and mournful. Very Halloween.
Goblin
Between Gaultois and McCallum on Newfoundland’s south coast you’ll find Goblin Bay. It was once home to the settlement of Goblin.
The origin of the name is uncertain but the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador makes several attempts at an explanation. First they suggest the name may be isuggestive of the high, haunting and forbidding landscape on this particular stretch of the coast. They also note that some had speculated that there might be "some weird ghost story connected with it.” Finally, they note the name might have come from a nearby bluff which marks the entrance to the eastern arm of Bay d'Espoir, and may, from a certain perspective resemble a face… presumably that of a goblin.
Not too far away from Goblin there is a rock formation known as the Devil’s Dancing Table… Coincidence, or were creatures of the night particularly fond of that part of the coast?
Bay d’ Espoir
Bay d’Espoir as seen from Milltown.
While we’re in the neighbourhood, Bay d’Espoir — a long fjord-like projection of Hermitage Bay — probably deserves a place on this list.
Bay d’Espoir is another French name. It means Bay of Hope —which is beautiful — but in Newfoundland it doesn’t get pronounced that way. It gets pronounced as Bay Despair, which is pretty bleak.
There is debate about the origin of the name. Some suggest it actually began as Baie du Desespoir ( French for Bay of Despair) and then got corrupted to Bay d’Espoir. Which would mean the contemporary English pronunciation may have accidentally converged on the original name.
Or maybe not…
Others have suggested the name is a corruption of Baie des Esprits which is French for Bay of Spirits… which sounds even more Halloween appropriate.
Deadman’s Bay
Situated on the northeast coast of Newfoundland, not far from Lumsden, you’ll find Deadman’s Bay. The community doesn’t really live-up to its spooky sounding name — which is to say, its a bright, scenic community with a lovely sandy beach.
I haven’t been able to track down the a good origin story for the name… though some have suggested it may be due to a shipwreck.
Whatever it is, it can’t have been a happy story.
Damnable Bay
A bell on the Damnable Trail, Salvage
Just off St. Chad’s, on the Eastport Peninsula, you’ll find Damnable Bay and Damnable Island.
According to the books, the name Damnable comes from the shallow waters in the area, which made sailing into port a considerable challenge. Local legend offers a more colourful explanation: the name is said to be a corruption of “Damn the Bell,” supposedly uttered after the bell aboard a pirate ship gave away its location.
Whichever version you prefer, Damnable is a wonderfully dark name. It conjures up images of hellfire and brimstone, which makes it a particularly fitting entry on a Halloween list.
St. Chad’s, itself, was once known as Damnable. Its name was changed when a local minister thought it inappropriate. Not sure how they arrived at St. Chad’s... nor am I sure I like it better. In any case, the name Damnable lives on.
These days you can hike the Damnable Trail network in the Eastport area. One of the trails near Salvaje will take you to Old Harry Cove, which is sort of appropriate, as Old Harry is an alias for the devil.
This list barely scratches the surface.
Newfoundland has plenty more creepy-sounding place names, from ponds and brooks to mountains and communities. Do you have a favourite I’ve missed?
Let me know in the comments.
There are plenty more spooky names (and their stories) out there waiting to be shared!
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Our History, Isle aux Morts
Goblin, Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
Hermitage Bay, Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bay d’Espoir, Canadian Encyclopedia
Attractions, Town of Eastport
