As you whip north out of St John’s, along the Torbay Road, you pass a number of places with names that make sense. Flat Rock was named because it is made up of flat rocks. It is so flat that the Pope gave a speech there. Middle Cove is a cove in the middle of some other coves and Outer Cove is a bit outside of Middle Cove. But who the hell named Pouch Cove! And if it is written “Pouch” they why do they pronounce it “Pooch”?
Even the origin of Pouch Cove is strange. It was settled around 1611, about 28 years after Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the island. Its main attraction was that its harbor was dangerous sailing.
Let me say that again. “Pouch Cove’s main attraction was that its harbor was dangerous sailing.”
The statement is not a strange as it might seem. In the early 17th century there were restrictions placed, by the British, on settlements in Newfoundland. It was said that Newfoundland was not a much a colony, as it was, because of the abundant fishery, an industry. Pouch Cove’s dangerous harbor keep the Royal Navy at bay until the attitude changed in the late 1600’s.
There are three pictures of Pouch Cove, the home-town of my daughter-in-law, Kathy Pippy, that I particularly like. (Kathy’s OK, too.)
And while you are in town, drop by the town hall and meet up with Sarah Patton. She makes a good soup and she’s also the Mayor.