CHAPTER II 
TRAVELLED ROUTES TO LABRADOR 
By W. T. GRENFELL 
THE northeast coast of Labrador can be reached at pres- 
ent only vid Newfoundland. A passenger steamer runs 
from each side of the island to Labrador. These steamers 
belong to the Reid-Newfoundland Company, and receive a 
subsidy to carry the mails. They are both smart, stout 
boats, and are in the hands of such old experienced pilot 
captains that in spite of the badly charted coast, the ice- 
bergs, and the absence of most of the aids to navigation in 
the more beaten tracks, no danger beyond what is inci- 
dental to every sea trip need be anticipated. There has 
never yet been a life lost from accident on these mail boats 
visiting the Labrador coast. 
The tourist must choose whether he wishes to go by the 
west or east coast of Newfoundland. The east coast boat 
runs once a fortnight. She calls at many points along the 
east coast of Labrador as far as Nain, in lat. 56°, and also 
at several points on the east coast of Newfoundland. The 
west coast boat makes weekly trips, starting from Bay of 
Islands. She touches at ports on the island, crosses the 
Strait, and visits the southern shore of Labrador, from 
Bonne Esperance to Battle Harbour, at the entrance to the 
Strait of Belle Isle. Here she connects with the east coast 
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