By Benson Hewitt
Recently I came across some statistics on all the communities that existed on and around Fogo Island in 1898. It was a part of David McAlpine’s Directory for Newfoundland. As I understand it, his headquarters were in Nova Scotia, and that is where most of his surveys took place. I am guessing that he was employed by the Newfoundland government at the time to gather all pertinent information on Newfoundland at that particular time. Some of the statistics seem a little incorrect at times, and at other times a guess. I am suspecting that in some cases e.g. Fogo, that some of the communities that seemed obviously part of it, were not considered so. Just incidentally, the population of St. John’s at the time was 30,000. Our neighbour across the way, Change Islands, was booming. Its population was 1060 then. It had seven stores, two churches, two schools and one hall. So, indeed, was Indian Islands, including Eastern Cove; a fishing settlement in Fogo District with a population of 300. There were there at that time two stores, and three school houses.
Fogo, A post, money order, telegraph, port of entry, fishing, farming and shipbuilding town and capital in the district of Fogo District. Nearest railway station, Glenwood, 60 miles, thence 140 miles to St. John’s; coastal mail steamer for St. John’s 240 miles, fortnightly during summer, fares $6.50 & $3.50; winter mails weekly by rail and courier. The bay steamer, “Lady Glover” also calls here. Contains 6 stores, 3 boarding houses, 1 court house, 3 churches and schools, seal and cod fishery principal industry;. population, 800. (Note ‘fares’: 1st class and 2nd class.)
Sargent’s Cove, a fishing village on Fogo Island. All connections at or the same as Fogo; population 100.
Seal Cove, a small fishing settlement on Fogo Island; all connections at or the same as Fogo; population 80.
Back Cove, (Fogo Island), a small fishing settlement in Fogo District; all connections at or the same as Fogo, proper, from which it is separated by a narrow neck of land only; population 40.
Lock’s Cove, a small fishing settlement at or the same as Fogo; population 35.
Eastern Tickle, (Fogo Island), a small fishing settlement in the District of Fogo; all connections at or the same as Fogo; population 107.
Lion’s Den, (Fogo Island), a small fishing settlement in Fogo District; all connections at or the same as Fogo, 2 miles; population 30.
Shoal Bay, Fogo Island, a fishing settlement; all connections at or the same as Fogo, 7 miles; population 60.
Barr’d Islands, in the District of Fogo, a fishing settlement consists of one large fishing establishment; all connections at or the same as Fogo; population 403.
Joe Batt’s Arm, (Fogo Island) a considerable fishing settlement in the District of Fogo; all connections at or the same as Fogo, 5 miles; contains 1 store; population 541.
Tilton Harbour, (Fogo Island), a large post, fishing and shipbuilding settlement, in the District of Fogo; nearest railway station, Gander Bay, about 50 miles; all other connections at or the same as Fogo, 4 (?) miles; contains 3 stores, 1 hotel, 1 hall, 1 church, bowling pond; short distance out is famous for the trout; population, 500.
Cape Cove, (Fogo Island) a small fishing settlement in Fogo District; all connections at or the same as Fogo or Seldom-Come-Bye; population 65.
Oliver’s Cove, a small fishing settlement on Fogo Island; all connections at or the same as Fogo; population 25.
Wild Cove, on Fogo Island, a fishing settlement in the District of Fogo; all connections at or the same as Seldom-Come-Bye; contains 1 church and school house; population 63.
Seldom-Come-Bye, a post, telegraph and fishing settlement on Fogo Island; nearest money order and port of entry, Fogo; railway station, Gander Bay, by water and land 50 miles; coastal mail steamers (with mails) calls fortnightly; land mail route to Fogo, 10 miles; contains 2 stores, 2 churches, iron and copper found at different places; has a good harbour and fine entrance; population 198.
Little Seldom-Come-Bye, a fishing settlement on Fogo Island; all connections at or the same as Seldom-Come-By; contains 1 Methodist school house; population 80.
Island Harbour, (Fogo Island) fishing settlement in the District of Fogo; all connections at or the same as Fogo, 7 miles; population 115.
Blackhead Cove, (Fogo Island), a small fishing settlement in the district of Fogo. All connections at or the same as Fogo, or Seldom-Come-Bye; population 11.
Hare Bay,(Fogo Island) a fishing settlement in the District of Fogo; all connections at or the same as Fogo; population, 110.
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