SHIP COVE
The oldest part of the Port de Grave peninsula is probably Ship Cove and by Newfoundland standards is ancient. Fishing activity in Ship Cove goes back to the early 1500’s and was undoubtedly the first of the prime ‘greves’ used by the French because of the shelter and the steady supply of fresh water flowing from the pond down to the beach. Also included in the place names of the area was Upper Ship Cove, Jordan Town and Dan’s Hole.
The Daw family, surname later changed to Dawe, were the first people to over winter in the Ship Cove area and is one of Newfoundland’s oldest family. Standard names over the years have included Dawe, Andrews, Tucker, Batten, Morgan and Taylor.
Ship Cove for fifty years have been the main business area for modern fresh fish processing with a rebuilt fish plant. The plant over the years has processing several species of seafood. Ship Cove’s most distinguishing features include the photogenic red rock Ship Cove point and Ship Cove pond. The pond, in the 1950-1980 range was the main attraction for the community with swimming in the summer and five levels of hockey in the winter.
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