The Close Call: How St. John’s Nearly Became England’s First North American Colony
Commentary
England was a late participant in the European scramble for territory in the New World. Despite explorations by individuals like John and Sebastian Cabot, as well as Sir Francis Drake’s plundering voyages to North and South America, England had not made any efforts to colonize the Western Hemisphere, unlike Spain, Portugal, and France.
English colonial endeavors were occupied with planting settlements in Ireland, and the unclaimed territories in the New World seemed uninviting without the allure of riches like those found in Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. The French even mocked resources brought back from Canada, deeming them as worthless as fool’s gold.
The fishing grounds off Newfoundland attracted boats from various European regions, leading to seasonal settlements like St. John’s on the Avalon Peninsula. This area remained unclaimed until the arrival of Sir Humphrey Gilbert.
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, known for his adventures and military exploits, proposed a Northwest Passage discovery to Queen Elizabeth in the 1560s. After an unsuccessful expedition in 1578, he returned to Newfoundland in 1583 to claim the territory for England, marking the beginning of English interest in the region.
Despite initial setbacks, St. John’s grew into a thriving town, becoming the oldest city in Canada due to its strategic location and rich fishery. Over the years, it faced challenges from European rivals but continued to flourish as an important trading hub.
The boom in the fishery during the Napoleonic Wars attracted Irish immigrants and led to the establishment of responsible government in Newfoundland. Eventually, the dominion joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949, marking a significant shift in its political status.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
