Pod of One Thousand Pilot Whales Surround Solo Rower in the Atlantic

Yesterday, we posted about the tragic stranding on a beach in the Orkneys that resulted in the deaths of 77 long-finned pilot whales.  Here is a much more cheerful story involving a pod of pilot whales and a solo transatlantic … Continue reading

Mysterious 19th Century Shipwreck Washes up on Newfoundland Beach

Gordon Blackmore was out hunting seabirds early in the morning on Cape Ray beach on the southwestern tip of Newfoundland, Canada when he saw the capsized wreck of a large wooden ship that had washed ashore in shallow water. Neil … Continue reading

Footprints in the Sand on Columbus Day — When Did Humans First Arrive in the Americas?

Like millions of other children, I was taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492.  Then when I was seven years old, the site of the Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland was discovered and I learned that Columbus … Continue reading

Submersible Titan Debris Brought Ashore With Presumed Human Remains

NPR reports that human remains have likely been recovered from the wreckage of the submersible that imploded during an underwater voyage to view the Titanic, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday. The news came hours after the announcement that debris … Continue reading

Update: Trying to Sail 1,900 NM in a One Meter Boat — Forced to Turn Back on First Day, Boat Destroyed

A year ago, we posted about Andrew Bedwell, who planned on attempting to set a new world record for sailing the smallest boat to cross the Atlantic. His vessel, Big C is just over 1m/3.2ft long. On Saturday, Bedwell set … Continue reading

Carbon Dating Pinpoints Year of Norse L’Anse aux Meadows Newfoundland Settlement

In 1960, the archaeological remains of Norse buildings were discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. Until recently the settlement date was estimated within about a sixty-year span around 1000 CE. On Wednesday, scientists published a study in the journal … Continue reading

Another Container Ship Cracking – MSC Monterey Anchored off Newfoundland

MSC Monterey, a 4,892 TEU container ship, was bound from the Belgium port of Antwerp to Newark, NJ, but diverted to Newfoundland after cracks in her hull were discovered. The ship is now at anchor south of Newfoundland, near Trepassey … Continue reading

Edmund ‘Ned’ Cabot, Boston Brahmin Scion and Avid Yachtsman, Drowns off Newfoundland

Sad news. Dr. Edmund ‘Ned’ Cabot, 69, a retired surgeon and a lifelong sailor, drowned on Saturday off the coast of Newfoundland when his sloop  Cielita was knocked down by a “rogue wave” and he was lost overboard. Edmund ‘Ned’ Cabot, Boston … Continue reading

Sail this summer on the Picton Castle

The barque Picton Castle, known for its around the world voyages, is offering cruises this summer sailing around Newfoundland. It sounds fantastic. Sail Around Newfoundland Starkly stunning coastline. Incredible whales, seabirds and maybe even icebergs. Hospitable folks in big towns and small outport … Continue reading