Champney's West - locally known as the Island - Is located in Trinity Bight along the north shore of Trinity Bay. The town has 56 full-time residents whom work hard to add to the quality of life and to keep the community alive and active. During the summer the population increases when many vacationers and part time residents spend time in the community at summer homes.
The Island has a very interesting and lengthy history dating back at least 337 years. At various times in it's history well over 200 residents called Champney's West home. It was once a thriving fishing community due to it's excellent harbor and proximity to fishing grounds. Today the harbor remains in top condition with many renovations having been recently made to fishing stages (rooms). There are however far less full time fishermen than seen in days gone by.
Sometime during the spring of 1675 the Brigantine Mary, a 100 ton sailing ship was commissioned to navigate to the new world specifically the isle of Newfoundland. The "Mary" was under the command of John Le Cross, a well known fishing admiral of the time.
After making the journey across the Atlantic Ocean, Captain Le Cross reached the Island of Newfoundland and entered Trinity Bay on the north side. He then traveled on until he reached the land mark known as the Horse Chops. From the Horse chops he sailed further into the bay and came upon the entrance of a inlet known as Salmon Cove. Upon entering salmon cove he apparently made the decision to investigate the potential of the area with the view of determining the suitability of the location for establishing a "plantation".
The written account of the voyage is contained in the log of Captain Le Cross and a quote from it reads as follows:
[upon entering the mouth of the harbour we took soundings on the western side of the harbour where one stand alone rock lying adjacent to a point running to the south exists, it seems to be the only visible rock protruding from the water the depth of five fathoms was observed, lying to the east of this point is a low sloping point of land, this itself assures a safe and sheltered cove. Moving northwards a small island was observed lying no more than a hundred feet eastward of the mainland, here advantaged us to make fast the Brig between the mainland and island. was here that we observed an in draft lying to the west with only a minute amount of water remains at bottom tides, the low sloping land at waters edge gives us a fair advantage where we can place rooms and plant crops. One can only perceive as to the sheltered safety of one place. Thence northwards of this little island is the bottom of this long sheltered harbour, this here that a river of such is observed, one can only imagine the ease of cutting lungers and timber farther in draft. On either side of the river there is ample amount of water to tie a hundred ships. To the east of the island there is a small inlet charactered by steep sloping hill which offer the most ample protection from prevailing winds. Water depths can be from 5 to 20 fathoms in depth and one could navigate at anytime within this cove]
Captain Le Cross established a plantation in the area of Salmon Cove, likely in what is today known as Champney's West. This was at the time were the Migratory Fishing industry was ending in Favor of a "planter" live here type system. Please visit our history section for a more in depth presentation of the known history of Champney's West.
Read More Champney's History Here.
Working Toward The Future
Since our successful Come Home Year and dedication of the Ella Freeman Heritage House in 2010, the Champney’s West community has been planning to add a wonderful new attraction on the Bonavista Peninsula: The Champney’s West Aquarium.
Please take a moment to learn more by clicking here!
