1

St. John's, pre- World War II, was the commercial centre of the then country Newfoundland, which relied on a resource based economy including sealing, fishing, mining and pulp and paper manufacturing. Life was slow-paced with each season methodically rolliing into the next and each harvest providing an abundant inventory for export. St. John's Harbour, a snug body of water hiding behind large rock cliffs, was the country's main port for trans-atlantic trade with vessels coming and going daily. Then in May 1941, the first ships of the Newfoundland Escort Force (NEF) arrived in St. John's and occupied the southside of St. John's Harbour. Overnight the city was transformed into a fast-paced major war-time port. St. John's would eventually become the home port for a significant portion of the Royal Canadian Navy, along with a number of vessels from the Allied navies.

2

Two vessels from the White Fleet
Circa 1930
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
A Ruggles Photograph

3

SS Susu with Bunting
Circa 1910
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0305006
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

4

Marine transportation was the main means of importing and exporting goods to and from St. John's. Merchant vessels ranging from small wooden coastal schooners to large steel ocean going freighters made up the bulk of the harbour's traffic.

5

View of the Narrows and Signal Hill
Post 1925
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0303004
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

6

Two Steamers in the Narrows
Post 1900
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0303011

7

View of the Harbour St. John's from Signal Hill
Circa 1900
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0301016
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

8

Although a safe haven from the harsh Atlantic, St. John's was not immune to the pack ice that found its way down from the North. Oftentimes the harbour would freeze over and one could walk from the north side to the south side on the ice.

9

Steamer Entering the Narrows, Houses and Flakes in the Battery
Circa 1900
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
S.H. Parsons and Sons
CNS Photo 0307002
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

10

View of Vessels in Ice, Finger Pier including Southside Hills
Circa 1900
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0305060

11

West End View of St. John's Harbour
Circa 1920
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0301012

12

View from the Lower Battery with Fishing Skiff in Foreground
Pre-1892
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0301007
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

13

View from East End of St. John's
Pre-1892
St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CNS Photo 0301004
Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection
http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/photos/geogfindaid.php

14

Fish flakes and fishplants lined the shore around the the harbour as testament to a vibrant industry. Merchant stores, stages and rooms surrounded the flakes. A railway ran from the east end of the city and proceeded along a route which follows present day Empire Avenue to the outskirts of the city and beyond.