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William's Harbour
The community of William’s Harbour is located approximately 35 km east of Port Hope Simpson on the south side of Granby Island at the mouth of Gilbert Bay. According to the 2001 Canadian census, the town’s population is approximately 50 people.
William’s Harbour originated as a fishing station for the seasonal fishermen from England and Newfoundland. The first recorded census was taken in 1856 and at that time there were 14 people living in William's Harbour on a year round basis. During the summer the population would increase as seasonal residents moved to the area to participate in the cod fishery. It is believed that the community name originated with a fisherman from England, William Russell, who married a local woman. Around 1840 the couple had settled in the location know known as William’s Harbour.
In the late 1970s the residents of William's Harbour believed they would have a better chance of obtaining electricity and other services if they stayed at William's Harbour year-round. The area was eventually settled by the summer residents on a permanent basis. Today the main source of employment in the community consists of a number of locally owned fishing boats and a local fish plant, which collects and processes seafood caught in the area, while other boats venture out into the open sea after snow crab, shrimp and seals (during the spring hunt).
The area offers many activities such as hiking, camping, ice fishing, angling, skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. The community and surrounding area also offer many attractions such as Northern lights, icebergs, and bird and whale watching. In the spring time a scheduled passenger ferry operates in the area, connecting several isolated communities in the area to larger centers around the province.
Contact:
George Russell Head of Local Services for William's Harbour Tel: (709) 924-0287
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