CAPE SPEAR

Cape Spear is the most easterly point in North America. The Cape Spear Lightouse is the oldest existing lighthouse inNewfoundland. The two-storey, wooden structure was built in 1835and served as a marine beacon from 1835-1955.

The lighthouse is now a museum where you can look back at the lifeof a lighthouse keeper and his family in the early 19th century. For almost 150 years, the beacon at Cape Spear has been tended byone family. The first lighthousekeeper was Emmanuel Warre, afterhis death in 1845 James Cantwell was named as the new keeper andmemebers of the Cantwell family have looked after the light eversince. The new, modern automated lighthouse is still tended by adescendent of the first Cantwell at Cape Spear.

At Cape Spear, you will also discover a proud military history.During the Second World War, two gun emplacements were constructedto counter the threat of U-boats against Allied shipping enteringand leaving St. John's harbour. The militray installation also hadan underground passage and barricks for the soldiers manning theguns.

Cape Spear National Park offers panoramic vistas of a coastlinecarved by the frigid North Atlantic. From this vantage point you can watch whales and icebergs in spring and early summer. Don't be surprised, or alarmed, if you see a large black animal wan dering around the grounds. Skipper, a purebred Newfoundland Dog, is as mild as he is impressive.

On you way back to St. John's take a side trip to Petty Harbour andMaddox Cove, picturesque communities just 15 kilometres from thecity.

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