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From Bonavista Cape to the Stinking Isles,
The course is north full forty miles
When you must swing away northeast
Till Cape Freel's Gull Island bears nor'-nor'west.
Then nor'-nor'west thirty-three miles,
Three leagues off shore lies Wadham's Isles
Where of a rock you must take care;
Two miles sou'-sou'east from Isles it bear.
Then nor'west by west twelve miles or more,
There lies Round Head on Fogo's shore;
But nor'-nor'west seven or eight miles,
Lies a sunken rock near Barrack's Isles.
Therefore, my friend, I would you advise,
Since all these rocks in danger lies,
That you may never amongst them fall,
But keep your luff and weather them all.
As you draw near to the Fogo land,
You'll have fifteen fathoms in the sounding sand,
From fifteen to eighteen, never more,
And that you'll have close to the shore.
When you abreast of Round Head be,
Then Joe Batt's Point you'll plainly see;
To starboard then three or four miles,
You'll see a parcel of damned rugged isles.
When Joe Batt's Arm you are abreast,
Fogo Harbour bears due west;
But unkind fortune unluck laid
A sunken rock right in the trade.
So, nor-nor'west you are to steer,
Till Brimstone Head doth appear,
Which over Pilley's Point you'll see
That of that danger you are free.
And as you draw within a mile,
You'll see a house on Symes's Isle;
The mouth of the channel is not very wide,
But the deepest water is on the larboard side.
When within Symes's Point you have shot,
Then three fathoms of water you have got;
Port hard your hellum and take care,
In the mid-channel for to steer.
When Pilley's Point you are abreast,
Starboard haul, and steer sou'-sou'west
Till Pilley's Point covers Syme's stage;
Then you are clear, I will engage.
Published in Gerald S. Doyle's Old Time Songs And Poetry Of Newfoundland: Songs Of The People From The Days Of Our Forefathers (Fourth edition, p.70, 1966).
Notes from Newfoundland Folk Songs And Their Role In Society by the Department of Education, Newfoundland and Labrador: A navigational guide from Cape Bonavista to Fogo Harbour, named after the author who wrote it in 1756. Although called a song, it was always recited and there is no tune available. Thousands of fishermen may remember hearing short snatches, but it is doubtful if a dozen Newfoundlanders can recite it. It was placed on record in the Admiralty Court in London, after it was first composed, and was considered the best coasting guide for that part of Newfoundland.
From the Dictionary Of Newfoundland English:
Stage - an elevated platform on the shore with working tables, sheds, etc, where fish are landed and processed for salting and drying, and fishing gear and supplies are stored; fishing stage.
