652 SOUTHEAST COAST OF LABRADOR. 



The shores of Forteau bay are generally bold, and the water is deep 

 beyond 200 yards from the shore, except at the head, where a shoal 

 extends from the schoolhouse ^ mile into the bay. 



The best anchorage is in 14 to 10 fathoms in the northwestern part 

 of the bay, with the northern stage at Admiral point, at the junction 

 of the rock and sand, bearing about 270°. 



Tides and tidal streams. — It is high water, full and change, in 

 Forteau bay at lOh. 25m.; springs rise 5^ feet, neaps 3 feet; neaps 

 range 1| feet. The flood stream in calm weather sets northwestward 

 on the northeastern shore and southward on the western shore and 

 the ebb in the contrary directions, but the streams are so weak in the 

 bay that a fresh breeze, unless blowing with or against them, changes 

 their direction. Off Amour and Forteau points the streams are 

 strong and very irregular, occasionally running in one direction with 

 a rate of 4 to o knots close to the shore, and in an opposite direction a 

 short distance off. In sounding off these points during the survey 

 three distinct streams were met within a distance of 2 miles; the tide- 

 rips were of considerable strength, and these irregularities contin- 

 ually changed from unknown causes. 



Caution. — In approaching Forteau bay in foggy weather, great 

 caution is therefore necessary. 



Soundings. — Deep water extends so close to the shore that little 

 warning is given by the hand lead in approaching Forteau bay, but 

 the gully with 50 to 60 fathoms of water in it that stretches nearly 

 across its entrance and extends to within | mile of Amour point may 

 indicate that the bay is near if deep soundings are taken. 



Ice. — The bay freezes over about the middle of December, and the 

 ice breaks up about the middle of May. 



Settlements. — The resident population numbers about 150, who 

 live inland from November to May and then return to prosecute the 

 seal fishery till the end of June. About 300 Newfoundland fishermen 

 arrive in June as soon as navigation is open. 



Supplies. — Water may be talcen from streams Mowing down the 

 hillside at the settlement on the western side of the bay, and at Jobs 

 Room there is a pipe to which a hose can l)e attached for filling 

 boats. 



There is no large wood within 10 miles of the settlements. 



Telegraph station. — There is a telegraph office at Forteau bay. 



St. Clair bay (anse Eclair), 4 miles westward of Forteau point, is 

 about I mile wide across its entrance, nearly a mile deep, open to 

 the southward, and affords no anchorage. An islet <S feet high and a 

 reef extend together about ^ mile westward from the eastern entrance 

 point. There is a fishing establishment close within this point, and 

 also at the head of the cove. 



