Isle aux Morts, Newfoundland and Labrador

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Isle aux Morts
other_name =
native_name = Island of the Dead
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settlement_type = Town
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pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption = Location of Isle aux Morts in Newfoundland
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = NL
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population_total = 813
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timezone = Newfoundland Time
utc_offset = -3:30
timezone_DST = Newfoundland Daylight
utc_offset_DST = -2:30
latd = 47
latm = 35
lats = 17
latNS = N
longd = 58
longm = 58
longs = 40
longEW = W
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area_code = 709
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footnotes = Isle aux Morts is a small town on the Southwest Coast of the Island of Newfoundland, with a population of 813. It is approximately a 20 minute drive from the Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal in Port aux Basques. It has been a popular town in the past with over 1000 residents but since then, the main resource, the fishery has declined greatly causing the closing of the fish plant (main source of employment in the town) and the moving away of people to find a new job. The town has also lost its high school and now only has a K-9 school with about 66 students.

History

Isle aux Morts has a rich maritime heritage and great scenery. There are two walking trails: Harvey Trail, named after George Harvey and his family (information below), and Boat Cove Trail, named for Boat Cove Pond. These two trails offer a great view of the harbour and the town. Also two wharves which show great scenery. There are many friendly people in this town and various things to do. There is a museum which is in an old-style house which shows what life was like in the past in Isle aux Morts. The house acted as the first school and church in Isle aux Morts. There are two convenience stores and a bar.

Name origin

The town's name is French for Island of the Dead, which refers to the many shipwrecks off the shore of the town. Isle aux Morts was the name given to the island off the coast of present day Isle aux Morts where people used to live.

Archeology

On November 26, 1981, Wayne Mushrow discovered an Astrolabe near Isle Aux Morts that has been dated to 1628. Upon its discovery it was in mint condition and in working order. The Mushrow Astrolabe is unique because it is graduated for Zenith distance only, typical for Portuguese astrolabes of that era.

The Mushrow Astrolabe, which resides in the Railway Museum at Port aux Basques, is one of four known to exist:
*1555 Dundee Astrolabe, Dundee, Scotland
*1609 Terni (Madre De Desco), Japan
*1628 Mushrow Astrolabe, Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, Canada
*1675 Coimbra University, Portugal

Notable persons of community

The town is probably best known for George Harvey, his 17 year old daughter Ann Harvey, her 12 year old brother and their dog, Hairy Man. They are known because of their braveness in rescuing sailors from two sinking ships, the Despatch and The Rankin.

A chamber opera based on the story of Ann Harvey entitled "Ann & Seamus" was written for "Shallaway - Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus" by Stephen Hatfield in 2007. The opera was based on the narrative poem by Kevin Major.

Pronunciations

French Pronunciation -- E-lo-mor
Pronounced by Residents as -- I-la-mort

Time Line

* The 1st school in IAM was built in 1868. It was also used as a chapel for the church services. Today it is the Walters House Museum.
* The IAM Lodge was constructed in 1914 with free labor by a group of men who previously used the school for their meetings.
* The 1st Fishery Products plant was constructed in 1939. It burned down in 1943.
* A cottage hospital was built in IAM near the Fishery Products plant in 1944.
* Construction began on a highway leading to PAB in 1955.
* The 1st LeGallais Memorial school started in 1958.
* The Isle aux Morts Town Hall was built in 1960.
* Construction began on the local breakwater in 1961. Completed in 1962.
* Electricity came to Isle aux Morts on October 28, 1965
* On February 18, 1968, the whole community of Isle aux Morts was serviced with a telephone system.
* The Community Stage was built in 1970.
* The Marine Center was bulit in Isle Aux Morts in 1976.
* The 1st Town Council was formed on February 10, 1979.

Triva

Lionized Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip, wrote a song entitled 'The Dire Wolf', an in memorium tribute to the many sad and infamous incidents of shipwrecks off the shore of Isle aux Morts. The song was released on the band's album In Violet Light. See External Links below for lyrics.

ee also

* List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
* List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador
* Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador

External links

* [http://www.mushrowastrolabe.com/ident.html Identifying The Astrolabe]
* [http://www.cdli.ca/~jsooley/astrolab.html The Mushrow Astrolabe]
* [http://lyrics.duble.com/lyrics/T/tragically-hip-lyrics/tragically-hip-the-dire-wolf-lyrics.htm The Dire Wolf lyrics]
* [http://www.annandseamus.com/ Ann & Seamus - A Chamber Opera Official Site]