Red Bay

Located on the Strait of Belle Isle, Red Bay comprises the largest known 16th-century Basque whaling station in North America. The assemblage of submerged and terrestrial archaeological sites represents a thoroughly documented early example of economic exploitation of rich North American natural resources by European commercial interests. Red Bay harbour is an outstanding natural shelter lying on a traditionally rich food resource funnel. Submerged cultural resources found in the harbour include exceptionally well-preserved remains of a number of vessels that illustrate northern Iberian ship- and boat-building technology and whaling activity of the 16th century. The remains of a network of more than a dozen shore stations represent the industrial processes of whaling to produce whale oil prized by the European market. Typically, the stations were comprised of tryworks, cooperages, workshops, dwellings, and wharves. A cemetery, other burial sites, and lookouts are also present. Period artifacts and a massive assemblage of bowhead and right whale bones comprise the collections.