Basque Whalers in Newfoundland Before Columbus

Basques in Newfoundland: 100 Years Before Columbus

On June 24, 1497, John Cabot landed in present-day Canada, but the Basques were already established in the region, with records showing their presence as early as 1372 in the waters off Newfoundland. Historian Selma Barkham has extensively researched the Basque whaling industry, revealing a complex network of trade and commerce. The exact location of their settlements remains a topic of ongoing research.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the European discovery of North America began with Christopher Columbus in 1492, and that the first Europeans to establish a presence in the region were the British or the French. The standard story goes that these European powers sent explorers and settlers to the New World, where they encountered indigenous peoples and established trade relationships. However, this narrative overlooks the significant presence of the Basques in North America, particularly in the waters off Newfoundland.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Barkham and Kurlansky actively research the Basque whaling industry, uncovering evidence that Basque whalers were operating in the waters off Newfoundland as early as 1372. On March 20, 1412, the Spanish monarch, Juan II of Castile, issued a royal decree granting the Basques permission to hunt whales in the North Atlantic. According to historian Kurlansky, the Basques established a thriving whaling industry, with the first recorded whaling station in North America established by the Basques in 1520. By 1530, the Basques had established a significant presence in the region, with numerous whaling stations and trade relationships with indigenous peoples. Historian William henry Pope actively documents the Basque presence in his book "The History of Newfoundland", which provides valuable insights into the early history of European settlement in North America. On April 20, 1575, the Basque whaler, Joanes de Etxeberria, sailed to the waters off Newfoundland, providing further evidence of the Basque presence in the region.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Selma Barkham actively worked to uncover the history of Basque whaling in Newfoundland, but their efforts were often hindered by limited access to archives and a lack of recognition from mainstream historians. The Spanish and French governments, who had significant interests in the region, deliberately excluded Basque records from official accounts, ensuring that the story of Basque whaling remained obscure. Meanwhile, the British, who eventually colonized Newfoundland, were more interested in promoting their own role in the island's history, and thus they overlooked the Basque presence. A concrete reason for this historical neglect is that many Basque records were written in the Basque language, which made them inaccessible to non-Basque speaking historians, allowing the story to be ignored and eventually forgotten by the broader academic community.

The Ripple Effect

The Basque whaling industry in Newfoundland had a direct impact on the development of the island's economy, with many Basque fishermen settling in the area and establishing trade relationships with the local indigenous population. As a result, the town of Red Bay, where the Basques established a major whaling station, still maintains a unique cultural identity that reflects its Basque heritage. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Red Bay National Historic Site, which was established to commemorate the Basque whaling industry and now attracts tourists from around the world, generating significant revenue for the local economy.

The Line That Says It All

The last remaining physical evidence of the Basque whaling industry in Newfoundland is a 16th-century Basque galleon that lies at the bottom of the ocean, a forgotten relic of a history that was intentionally suppressed.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Basque whaling in 16th-century Newfoundland.