Canso Islands

Canso Islands is a National Historic Site of Canada in Canso, Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia · Canso, Nova Scotia · location approximate

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CANSO Important as a centre for the North Atlantic fisheries from the 16th century, the islands in Canso Harbour offered a safe haven for fishermen. First frequented by the French and Basques, the area became the site of an extensive New England fishing establishment during the first half of the 18th century. Here fishermen dried their catch before shipment to markets in Europe and the West Indies. Until its destruction by the French in 1744, Canso was the economic mainstay of the colony of Nova Scotia and a key centre for the English cod fishery. The town of Canso continues this fishing tradition.

Français

Les îles du port de Canso, grand centre de pêche de l'Atlantique nord depuis le XVIe siècle, offraient un havre sûr aux pêcheurs. Cette région, d'abord fréquentée par les Français et les Basques, devint un site de pêche prospère pour la Nouvelle-Angleterre durant la première moitié du XVIIIe siècle. Les pêcheurs y séchaient leurs prises avant de les envoyer en Europe et dans les Antilles. Jusqu'à sa destruction par les Français en 1744, Canso fut une des bases économiques de la Nouvelle-Écosse et, pour les Anglais, le centre de la pêche à la morue. La ville de Canso perpétue maintenant cette tradition.

*Note: This designation has been identified for review. A review can be triggered for one of the following reasons - outdated language or terminology, absence of a significant layer of history, factual errors, controversial beliefs and behaviour, or significant new knowledge. Note from Parks Canada.

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This plaque text is recorded in the Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, published by Parks Canada for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Plaque texts come from the Directory’s open dataset in the languages the Directory publishes them in; the pin on this page is ours, worked out from the Directory’s street address or local area and marked approximate. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
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