East Coast Tour: Part II Trivia Quiz

Answer: They are lobster traps

Also known as "lobster pots", the lobster trap has been integral to the economy of Newfoundland for over a hundred years. The traps typically have either a wooden or metal frame and are split into two parts. The "chamber" is used to place bait to entice the lobster while the "parlour" is an enclosure within the trap where the lobster cannot escape. Once baited, the traps are typically dropped to the sea floor and then marked with a buoy. Canadian lobster fishing is Canada's most valuable seafood export with nearly 80% going to the United States.

Other major markets for exports include Japan, China and France. The Avalon Peninsula marks some of the key communities for lobster fishing in Newfoundland including the communities of Placentia Bay and Arnold's Cove.

Answer: No

In 1880, it was recommended that a narrow-gauge railway be constructed across the Newfoundland territory. It would become the longest narrow-gauge railway in North America. This railway system would be built in portions throughout the years and would eventually connect St. John's to Port-Aux-Basques, a distance of over 1400 kilometers. Throughout the majority of its existence, the railway companies faced constant economic struggles including the bankruptcy of the Newfoundland Railway Company in the late 1800s.

During both World Wars, train traffic increased as a means to assist in various military construction operations. These operations included the construction of an air force base at Gander, British and Canadian defense facilities at St. John's, and American military bases at Stephenville, Argentia and St. John's. The railway included a ferry system to allow a connection to the mainland in Canada.

After Newfoundland became an official province of Canada in 1949, the railway system became operated and repaired by the crown corporation Canadian National (CN). The construction of the Canso Causeway in Nova Scotia in 1955 allowed for an easier railway link between the two provinces. By the 1970s, however, with an increased need for bus and truck transportation, the use of the railway system declined severely.

By 1979, the need for a railway cargo system ultimately became completely unnecessary and all branch lines across the province were officially shut down by 1984. By 1986, one of the two railcar ferries linking Newfoundland to Nova Scotia was sold and as a result limited the exchange and interchange abilities in both provinces. On October 1, 1988 the last official train to run commenced its journey at Bishop's Falls.

Answer: An airline crash

Tragically, Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashed shortly after takeoff killing all 256 passengers and crew on board. The flight was transporting U.S. troops returning from Egypt and was scheduled to land at Fort Campbell near the Kentucky/Tennessee border. It is believed that icing conditions along with possible pilot error were contributing factors that led to the plane crash.

In 1990, a statue was dedicated with many people in attendance as a tribute to the United States 101st Airborne Division. The statue depicts two innocent children and an unarmed soldier. The memorial includes the American, Canadian and Newfoundland flags. A tall cross is situated near the statue. Surrounded by a forested area, this site has become known as the "Silent Witness Memorial". On December 12, 1995, ten years after the crash, a memorial service was held by representatives of the Canadian and American military to honor the victims of the crash.

Answer: Joey Smallwood

When Newfoundland became an official province in 1949, Joey Smallwood became the first premier in the history of the province and remained there unchallenged for 23 years, when he lost the 1972 election to Frank Moores. Prior to his time as a politician, Smallwood worked for various newspapers and even operated a pig farm in the 1940s.

While the premier of Newfoundland, he was very popular due to his willingness to stand up to union bosses and militant persons. He was successful in promoting various industries in Newfoundland including mining, paper mills and hydroelectricity.

He was known for keeping a tight ship of ministers within his cabinet going so far as to not providing a "question period" during the House of Assembly. After he was defeating during the 1972 election, he took many of his political followers and formed the Newfoundland Reform Liberal Party.

Unfortunately, he was unable to gain a following with his new party and they would dissolve officially in 1979. After he retired from politics, he spent most of his retirement writing and publishing various books.

He died in 1991 just shy of his 91st birthday.

Answer: Burin Peninsula

Located on the south coast of Newfoundland, the Burin Peninsula separates Fortune Bay in the west from Placentia Bay in the east. Formed from sedimentary and igneous rock, the peninsula is slightly hilly with minimal elevation. Located at the edge of the Burin Peninsula, Cape Chapeau Rouge is its highest point with an elevation of just 226 meters above sea level. Due to its low elevation, this region of Newfoundland thrived with cod fisheries as an economy until the 1990s when the Atlantic northwest cod fishery went into economic collapse.

Answer: Cape Spear

With the exception of the Danish-controlled region of Greenland, Cape Spear is the eastern-most point of the continent of North America. Historically, it was initially settled by the Beothuk people but was not permanently inhabited due to their non-sedentary lifestyle.

In 1836, the Cape Spear Lighthouse was finalized and has been in operation ever since. Various improvements on the lighthouse have taken place including the addition of a fog horn in 1878 and use of electricity for lighting in 1930.

It was designated a National Historic Site in 1962.

Answer: Spirit of Harbour Grace

During the 1920s, trans-Atlantic aviation began to take hold in full force. Some popular pioneers in the aviation industry including Amelia Earhart and Thor Solberg used this location as a means to cross the Atlantic on route to Europe. In 1931, a prototype for the DC-1 aircraft was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. By 1935, the DC-3 was manufactured and was dubbed the "aircraft that changed the world".

The Spirit of Harbour Grace was a DC-3 built in 1943 for the purpose of serving action with the United States Air Force during the African Campaign. During the war, the community of Harbour Grace was used by the Canadian military for both naval and air force purposes. Following the war, it was purchased by a variety of companies and owners where it finally lay in the hands of Roger Pike, a native of Harbour Grace.

He would use the plane as a private owner to transport food, mail and other goods and retired the plane for good in 1988. The Pike family donated the plane to the community of Harbour Grace in 1993 to showcase its rich history of aviation.

Answer: Telegraph

In 1866, the SS Great Eastern brought the first trans-Atlantic cable across the ocean from Valentia Island, Ireland to Heart's Content. Following several failed attempts to do so in the 1850s, under the captaincy of Sir James Anderson, 4200 kilometers of cable was laid across the Atlantic.

The first official communication was made using Morse code. By the First World War, over 200 people from Heart's Content were employed at the cable station. As more automated forms of communication were being developed, the need for the Morse code and the cable station had dwindled by the Second World War. With the emergence of trans-Atlantic telephone cables and satellite technology in the 1940s and 1950s, the station was officially closed in 1965.

Answer: Fisheries

Castle Hill is an area near the current town of Placentia that was once used by both the French and the British to built fortifications. The area was used during three different wars; King William's War (1688-97), Queen Anne's War (1702-13), and Father Rale's War (1722-25).

Initially established to protect French fisheries in the area from invading countries, it was later used as a stronghold for territorial reasons. In 1968, the area was declared a National Historical Site. Presently, visitors to the site can see excavated and unexcavated remains of various elements including walls, Fort Royal, British blockhouse and the Horseshoe Battery.

Answer: Cabot Strait

The history of the Atlantic Marine ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia dates back to 1898 when the first vessel crossed between Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. On July 1, 1898, the SS Bruce delivered a group of passengers for the very first time arriving just before midnight. Since this initial voyage, the Marine Atlantic service is an integral part of both transportation and communication between Newfoundland and the Canadian mainland. The ferries not only carry passengers, but are equipped to hold motor vehicles including cars, trucks and tractor trailer units. Until the 1986, the ferries were also equipped to carry railway cars as well.

From 1928 to 1942 the SS Caribou was the main ferry providing services between Port_Aux-Basques and North Sydney but ultimately had a tragic ending during the Second World War. As German submarines were patrolling the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, they saw the heavy smoke from the passenger ship. At approximately 3:50 AM on October 14, 1942, the SS Caribou was torpedoed by German submarine U-69. As there were 73 civilians on board, many women and children lost their lives that day. In all, 137 people perished as a result of the damage of which 49 were civilians.