This note comes to us thanks to The Canadian Press:
Report released on 16th-century Basque whaling, shipbuilding off Labrador
Apr 4, 2008
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The federal government has released a scientific report that profiles Basque shipbuilding and whaling techniques used in the 16th century off the coast of Labrador.
The 1,600-page report examines the history of Basque fishermen who hunted bowhead and North Atlantic right whales along the Quebec-Labrador coast in small boats called chalupas.
The men would render the whale blubber into oil, which they shipped back to Europe for lighting fuel, paint and soap.
The project came about after Robert Grenier, Parks Canada's chief underwater archeologist, found what is believed to be the sunken remains of the San Juan in 1978.
The vessel sank in 1565 near Red Bay, Labrador.
It was recovered after 14,000 hours of underwater diving in the Strait of Belle Isle.
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