Newfoundland & Labrador’s
Burin Peninsula
Captain Clarke Drive
Captain Clarke Drive heads southwest at Epworth continuing on route 220. This journey is
opened up to centuries of marine and international heritage. Museums, monuments and
displays preserve and uphold the satisfying and breathtaking stories of the region.
Captain Clarke Drive is named for the 16th century English mariner, explorer and privateer
Richard Clarke. As navigator, he sailed with Sir Humphrey Gilbert on the 1583 voyage to
Newfoundland, where Gilbert's vessel Delight was wrecked, claiming the captain's life. Clarke
and 14 crew managed to sail the ship's boat with one oar, landing at Little St. Lawrence after a
week at sea. You can visit "Dig a Little Deeper" rest stop atop of Beaver Pond hill just before
entering Little St. Lawrence.
Shaped by vigor and hard conditions, the character of St. Lawrence has shown kindness and
unselfishness in hard times. St. Lawrence has amazing tales of heroism and survival. The
hiking trails and nearby beaches are extensive and include the heritage walk to Calapouse
Head, and the nature hike to Middle Point Lighthouse. Nature has performed a miracle with the
Umbrella Tree at scenic Herring Cove.
Visiting St. Lawrence becomes even more
moving and momentous in light of the
shipwrecks at Chamber Cove and Lawn
Point. Two American vessels, the USS
Truxtun and the USS Pollux ran aground in a
storm on route to the US naval base at
Argentia on February 8, 1942. One hundred
and eighty six servicemen were rescued and
cared for in local homes until they made a full
recovery. The stories of these legendary
shipwrecks can be relived at both the Miners'
Museum and at the U.S. Memorial Health
Centre. A tribute to these brave servicemen
and this event bears the name "The Echoes
of Valour Monument". It stands proud at the front of the Town Hall. St. Lawrence is also the site
of North America's largest fluorspar deposit and is a prospector's paradise. The Miners'
Museum tells another heart warming story of the St. Lawrence miners who ventured
underground to mine fluorspar. It's a tale of danger and tragedy of deadly dust and gas and of
the men and families who endured.
St. Lawrence is also known as the "Soccer Capital of Canada". The rivalries between the
Laurentians and other communities around the peninsula are unique. This soccer team has
kicked their way to more national championships than any other community of its size in
Canada.
Admire the coastal drive as you head to Lawn, but take note of the Wind Mill energy that is
being harnessed along the shoreline!
Lawn, as other communities can attest along this coastline, has experienced the extremes of
the sea environment. Due to Lawn's involvement in the inshore cod, bank salmon, capelin,
lobster, herring, and seal fisheries it has become one of the better harbours. Lawn offers much
for visitors such as a hike to the abandoned communities of Webber, & Roundabout or to find
out more history of Lawn make a visit to the Lawn Heritage Museum.
Captain Clarke Drive leads you through the most Atlantic of the Heritage Run's communities.
These settlements are located on the barrens facing the Grand Banks. They are subject to
waves that roll in over the vast stretch of beaches. Communities of Lord's Cove a site of
ongoing Wave Energy research, Taylor's Bay, Point au Gaul, Lamaline, and Point May are
directly bound to the fishery. Middle Lawn Island is home to the first known colony of the Manx
Shearwater in North America.
This whole barren landscape is well known for it's bountiful marshberries and bakeapple
berries.
One of the oldest communities in the area is Lamaline, which was settled in the late 1700's.
This area is known for the dangerous game of smuggling liquor from St. Pierre. On Allan's
Island just before the lighthouse, there stands a Statue of the Virgin Mary seemingly watching
over all those at sea. Smuggling everything from bait to booze was a way many fishermen
supplemented their earnings. Smuggled goods from St. Pierre supplied the entire coast with
liquor, tobacco, sugar and tea. All accelerated when the American Congress passed the
Vostead Act in 1919 prohibiting American sale & manufacture of alcoholic drink. Rum running to
the US became St. Pierre & Miquelon's prime industry. Chicago crime boss Al Capone was a
frequent visitor to these shores until 1933 when Congress passed the 21st Amendment.
The humble Lamaline Heritage House has an outdoor Interpretive Tsunami story site dedicated
to the lives, homes, and livelihoods lost during the 1929 Tidal Wave. On November 18th that
year around 5:00 supper time a big tremor shook this whole area. At 7:00 the water came rolling
in, one big wave 50 feet high. Communities from Lamaline to Rock Harbour were worst hit. 27
lives were lost when houses, stores and boats were all washed out to sea. It was the worst
earthquake disaster in Canadian history. Read personal accounts at Tsunami sites along this
coast.
The Grand Banks is no stranger to other tragedies. The April 14th, 1912 sinking of the Titanic,
after it struck an iceberg claiming the lives of more than 1500 of it's 2250 passengers, was just
off these famous banks.
Point May is your last stop on Captain Clark Drive. It is the closest point of land to the French
Island of St. Pierre et Miquelon and another great location for storm watching. Visit the Point
Crewe Heritage Park which offers a spyscope view of St. Pierre.
©2019 Heritage Run Tourism Association · All Rights Reserved