Ingonish
Ingonish is a popular tourist destination in Victoria County, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The regional economy is tied to fishing and tourism. Tourist facilities include Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the Keltic Lodge, a downhill skiing centre, and a public golf course, the Highlands Links.
History
The name may be from the Portuguese or Mi'kmaq languages.[1] French explorer Nicolas Denys visited the area in the 1600s, and he made note of the area's potential as a base of operations for French fishing fleets having good fishing though a harsh coastline and no safe harbour.[2]
In 1854, local farmers plowing a field found an
Pour la paroisse d’Inganiche jai ete nommee par Jean Decarette et par Francois Uril, parrain et marrain Le Josse Huet de St. Malo m’a faite. L’an 1729.
An 1885 English translation reads:
For the parish of Ingonish I have been named by John Decarette and Francis Urail, Godfather and Godmother. The founder Huet made me in the year 1729.
The bell was described as being "nearly as large around as an ordinary flour barrel" and weighed 586 pounds. It was ultimately lost after being sold to a foundry owner in Halifax.[2] In another part of Ingonish, the remains of a second church were found. A small cannon of French origin, similar to those found at Neil's Harbour was also found.[2]
According to an official report sent to the Board of Trade in 1749 by Captain Smith, commander of the guard ship at Canso, there were 48 schooners and 393 shallops fishing the grounds off Ingonish. The community's population at that time was estimated to be approximately 300.[2]
Mica was mined prior to the late 1800s.[2]
Climate
Ingonish has a
Climate data for Ingonish Beach, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1950–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 17.5 (63.5) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.3 (70.3) |
24.0 (75.2) |
32.2 (90.0) |
34.4 (93.9) |
36.0 (96.8) |
37.7 (99.9) |
34.9 (94.8) |
28.5 (83.3) |
25.5 (77.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
37.7 (99.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
2.0 (35.6) |
6.5 (43.7) |
13.0 (55.4) |
18.7 (65.7) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.2 (73.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
12.7 (54.9) |
7.1 (44.8) |
2.1 (35.8) |
10.5 (50.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −5 (23) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
2.7 (36.9) |
8.1 (46.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.5 (65.3) |
14.5 (58.1) |
8.8 (47.8) |
3.8 (38.8) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
6.2 (43.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −9.2 (15.4) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
3.2 (37.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
13.3 (55.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
9.9 (49.8) |
4.8 (40.6) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | −28.0 (−18.4) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−24.9 (−12.8) |
−15.0 (5.0) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
3.9 (39.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−12.5 (9.5) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−28.0 (−18.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 186.3 (7.33) |
139.7 (5.50) |
153.9 (6.06) |
168.6 (6.64) |
108.9 (4.29) |
90.6 (3.57) |
93.1 (3.67) |
114.2 (4.50) |
143.7 (5.66) |
175.6 (6.91) |
189.7 (7.47) |
188.3 (7.41) |
1,752.7 (69.00) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 79.4 (3.13) |
62.0 (2.44) |
82.3 (3.24) |
132.4 (5.21) |
105.2 (4.14) |
90.6 (3.57) |
93.1 (3.67) |
114.2 (4.50) |
143.7 (5.66) |
175.4 (6.91) |
167.9 (6.61) |
112.4 (4.43) |
1,358.5 (53.48) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 105.6 (41.6) |
77.8 (30.6) |
71.8 (28.3) |
36.1 (14.2) |
3.8 (1.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.1) |
21.8 (8.6) |
76.0 (29.9) |
393.1 (154.8) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 21.9 | 16.0 | 16.4 | 16.5 | 16.3 | 13.2 | 13.1 | 14.3 | 16.4 | 19.9 | 21.9 | 21.4 | 207.1 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.2 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 13.5 | 16.2 | 13.2 | 13.1 | 14.3 | 16.4 | 19.9 | 18.2 | 10.0 | 154.7 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 18.2 | 13.0 | 10.8 | 5.0 | 0.45 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0001 | 0.16 | 6.1 | 14.2 | 67.7 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 77.5 | 108.1 | 128.5 | 144.8 | 199.6 | 227.1 | 237.6 | 215.7 | 157.9 | 117.6 | 69.0 | 43.3 | 1,726.6 |
Percent possible sunshine | 27.7 | 37.1 | 34.9 | 35.6 | 42.9 | 48.0 | 49.7 | 49.1 | 41.8 | 34.7 | 24.4 | 16.2 | 36.8 |
Source: |
References
- ^ "The Canadian Encyclopedia: Ingonish". Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ^ ISBN 0-920336-02-7.
- Environment Canada. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Environment Canada. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- Environment Canada. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- Environment Canada. Retrieved 8 April 2016.