PORT AU PORT. 287 



A long narrow bank, with depths of 7 to 10 fathoms over it, extends 

 parallel to the coast of the tongue at a distance of If miles, its 

 western end being 3 miles from Black Duck brook. 



Between this bank and the shore there is a long bank with depths of 

 8 to 10 fathoms over it, while between the two, as well as between the 

 inner bank and the shore, the depths vary from 11 to 14 fathoms. 



Leading" mark. — Cape Cormorant cliff, just open northward of 

 the western shoulder of Round head, astern, bearing about 227°, 

 leads inside the outer of these banks and up to the mark for entering 

 Port au Port. 



Port au Port is the extensive area southward of a line joining 

 Long point with Bluff head, the latter being a conspicuous cliffy 

 headland of the mainland, bearing 98°, distant 5^ miles from the 

 point. The southwestern part of this area is divided by a projection 

 terminating northward in Shoal point, into East and West bays, 

 both of which are extensive. 



The shores of this inlet are very sparsely populated, and the major 

 portion of the inhabitants are settled on the southern shore of East 

 bay and on Shoal point. 



The eastern shore has a few settlers, and Long Point tongue, be- 

 sides a few permanent residents, is visited in summer by fishermen. 



Codfish are caught in large numbers about the bar and on the 

 banks outside, and lobsters abound near Long point, as well as around 

 the rocky coasts of Fox island and its vicinity. There are two fac- 

 tories for tinning lobsters at the Gravels, at the head of East bay, 

 and one at Fox island, while there are ruins of others at Long point 

 and Broad cove. 



Several mineral deposits have been found in the neighborhood of 

 Port au Port, and asbestos is being mined in the hills, eastward of 

 Bluff head. 



Anchorag'es. — Excepting in Pic a Denis harbor at the head of 

 West bay, where the depth is only sufficient for vessels of moderate 

 size, Port au Port does not afford secure anchorage, although the 

 bottom is generally mud. 



Southeasterly to northeasterly gales blow violently, even during 

 summer, and although the eastern shores may at such times afford 

 sheltered anchorages, the probability of the wind shifting to the 

 southward and westward renders them insecure. 



West bay affords the best anchorage during southwesterly and 

 northwesterly gales. (See p. 289.) 



In uncertain weather avoid anchoring on the southeastern side of 

 Long Point tongue, eastw^ard of the portage from Black Duck brook, 

 for here southerly and easterly winds, which are very prevalent, throw 

 up a short choppy sea, and the bottom, although mud. is soft, and is 

 not so good holding ground as that farther southwestward. 



