03/25/2025
đź“ś Although Cape Race is known for it's part in the rescue, its story began well before that fateful day in April of 1912.
This famous landmark is a National Historic site and is located on the South East Avalon, laying claim to one of the most important nautical landmarks in the the province.
When the construction of Cape Pine lighthouse had been completed in 1851, all eyes turned to Cape Race as the next point that needed illuminating.
Many lives had been lost in this section of the colony of Newfoundland and it was time to start doing something about it.
In 1855, Alexander Gordon who was the architect commissioned to build at Cape Pine, was again hired to erect the large steel beacon at Cape Race.
The first keeper was appointed in 1856. Within ten days of the lighthouse going into operation, William Hally found himself part of a rescue mission when the Welsford ran aground on Christmas Day. It was a harrowing rescue but they were able to save 4 of the crew before the boat crashed into the rocks, taking with it the lives of 22 seamen.
In 1857 the government of Newfoundland received bids to construct an attached dwelling to the lighthouse, as the residence to this point was leaky, and didn’t meet the needs of the keepers at the Cape.
In 1904, as part of the telegraph project that Guglielmo Marconi was establishing at St. John’s and Heart’s Content, the wireless capabilities were extended to Cape Race which opened up the lines to world wide communication.
How life was changing!
Two years later the construction of the present day cement lighthouse started, which included installing the largest lighting lens in all of North or South America. Manufactured by the Chance Brother’s, the new light was put into commission on October 1,1907, and is still in operation today.
In the early 1900’s there were about 10 families living on The Cape, enough to warrant the establishment of a two room schoolhouse. In total there were 4 keepers that were in charge of maintaining the lighthouse at any one time.
Like the other communities located along the coast they would have had to live a self-sustaining lifestyle for the most part which included farming, fishing, hunting, and gathering.
It should be mentioned that in the long line of Lighthouse Keepers there is one family of distinction that dedicated their lives to protecting the land and those that traveled by sea along her shores.
From 1874 right through to 2007, the Myrick family in some capacity had a hand in keeping things running at Cape Race. From keepers to telegraphers, or fog horn engineers to wireless operators, if there was a job to do they got it done.
In honour of this family, when you stop out to Cape Race, located at the end of Cape Race Road off of highway 10 in Portugal Cove South, you will find the Myrick Interpretation Centre. Inside you will see a marvelous display of local history, titanic memorabilia, and of course the chance to operate a wireless machine yourself.
A trip to Cape Race is just one of the many adventures you can have if you come stay with us on the Southern Avalon.
And with three lighthouses in the region, we've always got a light on for those that wander ...
www.earhartculturalheritage.org
Sources: Lighthouse Friends, Canadian Coast Guard, Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre
Photo Credits: Cape Race 1919, Canadian Coast Guard
Byline & Cape Race with Iceberg: Patchwork Media 2018.
Edited by Calvin Coombs.
For more on the Myrick Wireless Interpretation Centre that's opened seasonally visit:
https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/plan-and-book/attractions/11782988
