December 3, 2024

VIDEO: GGC – 31 – St John's, Signal Hill, and the Ferry to Nova Scotia


Part 27 of our road trip across Northern Quebec and Eastern Canada. After enjoying the sunrise at Cape Spear, we continued on to explore Newfoundland’s capitol City, St. John’s. We checked out Jelly Bean Row, Signal Hill, and the Atlantic end point of the Trans-Canada Trail. Finally, we boarded the 16-hour ferry to Nova Scotia.

29 thoughts on “VIDEO: GGC – 31 – St John's, Signal Hill, and the Ferry to Nova Scotia

  1. I'm surprised you had nothing about Argentia's story

    From Wikipedia: "Argentia was selected in 1940 to be the location of a United States Navy's Naval Station Argentia being built under the U.S.-British destroyers for bases exchange (which preceded the introduction of Lend Lease in 1941)which saw fifty obsolescent US destroyers given to Britain in exchange for selected British military bases (or land for new bases) in the Western Hemisphere. The reason for preferring the Argentia site was due to the secure deepwater anchorage offered by the adjoining Ship Harbour and Fox Harbour, as well as the local topography for an airfield and an existing railway line.

    The base was urgently needed as part of the trans-Atlantic supply line which joined North America to Britain, in order to provide anti-submarine patrols to protect shipping from the German U-boat fleet.

    Most people relocated to the nearby villages of Freshwater or Placentia. However what little had been paid as compensation (usually no more than a few thousand dollars for homeowners in Argentia) proved inadequate for building equivalent new homes due to severe wartime shortages of labour and materials.

    Those buried in the three local graveyards were exhumed and reburied in a new cemetery constructed by the US forces at the insistence of the local parish priest, Father A.J. Dee, who had also raised objections to the wartime delays in finding new housing for Argentia's living residents who were being forced to leave the village. The abandoned homes were ultimately burned or levelled by bulldozers.

    The US flag was raised in Argentia on February 13, 1941.

    Its military base now closed, Argentia has become all but a ghost town. None of the original pre-war buildings remain as they were demolished to construct the base. But some empty military buildings are being reused as the beginning of what is hoped to become an industrial park in Argentia.

    Along with Freshwater, Dunville, and Jerseyside, Argentia became part of Placentia in 1991."

  2. Do you remember what did the transit cost, with and w/o the room?  For the life of me, I don't know what the secrete is with everyone who makes video's of traveling , when it comes to mentioning what expenses like this are.  You don't have to answer if you don't wish.  Best wishes, you two are a great couple to travel with.

  3. Cool video guys.  I have done the Cabot trail and it is beautiful.  You'll love it.  New Foundland  is still on my list to see.  Stop at Fort Louisbourg if you get the chance.  The history of St. John's was really interesting.

  4. Your narrating over the last 2 videos was pretty awesome. Love Paula and her " adventure " with the ladder… Like a kids show… Does it go here… Nooooooo Does it go here…> Nooooooo Does it go here.. Yaaaaaaaa.

  5. This is a really nice experience for me. We were taught very little about our good neighbors in school. So just about every tidbit y'all share is something new to learn. Thank you for taking the time to share your travels and knowledge with us. 🙂

  6. i had to sleep in the teatre room, everyone was snoring people were lying facedown on the floor, James Bond movie was blasting, haha i had an awesome trip with my aunt in digby, 25 degrees every day went to Mavillette beach and upper clements park! can't wait to go again this summer.

  7. We will be travelling to Newfoundland this summer and we are enjoying your informative videos. So sad that you did not enjoy Fogo Island, I've booked 4 days in a CG there, hope its not too much. Mena and Pierre from Quebec sending best regards

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