9 things you may not know about Argentia, NL

Argentia, NL has been the home of one of terminals since 1967. Currently, we operate our service between Argentia, NL and North Sydney, NS from June to September of each year.

The route is an ideal way to be connected to Newfoundland and all of the amazing destinations it holds.

Here are some interesting facts about Argentia that you may not have known:

1. Argentia has been a part of the Avalon Peninsula on Newfoundland’s east coast for over 500 years.

2. French settlers arrived in the late 1600s, and the small fishing community was originally named ‘Petite Plaisance’, meaning “Pleasant Little Place”, as a part of the French settlement of Plaisance (Placentia). (Source)

3. After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, as part of the series of treaties ending the War of the Spanish Succession, France recognized Queen Anne as the legitimate sovereign of England and officially ended French support for the claims of the Jacobite party to the British throne. (Source)

France agreed to cede all claims to Newfoundland and to evacuate its base in Plaisance, although French fishermen retained certain rights on the Newfoundland coasts. (Source)

4. Its name was changed to Argentia (based on French or Latin words for silver) around 1900, after the discovery of the Silver Cliff Mine — “argent,” being the French word for silver. (Source)

5. Argentia holds a strategic location in the center of the world’s shipping lanes and boasts a 3 km/1.8 mile-long, ice-free harbour, with a wide turning basin. (Source)

6. In 1940, under the Leased Bases Agreement, Britain allowed the United States the rights to build military bases in Newfoundland. One of the locations selected was Argentia. It was the future site of the Argentia Naval Air Station (1941-1994), and a United States Naval Air Base. (Source)

7. Thousands of Newfoundlanders found work at the construction site of the United States Military Bases. About 4,000 local workers were employed on the base at any one time and, by the end of the war, it is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 Newfoundlanders had worked on the base. (Source)

8. In August 1941, an historic meeting occurred off Argentia’s coast when two giants of the 21 century, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt, drafted the Atlantic Charter.The charter was a joint declaration of how peace should be maintained in a post-war world. Although never formally signed, the document later became the basis for the United Nations Charter and helped shape world history. (Source)

9. Argentia is Canada’s foggiest place – with 206 days of fog per year – and has been named one of the foggiest places in the world. (Source)

Located just 90 minutes from St. John’s, this run will begin sailing June 15, 2018.

We look forward to welcoming back our seasonal staff in Argentia and wish smooth sailing for all during what’s sure to be another busy summer season!

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