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==History== | ==History== | ||
Random Island's first permanent settlement, Ryder's Harbour, was founded in the 1760s. The site, located at the northeastern terminus of the island, was previously visited often by the many fishing expeditions from | Random Island's first permanent settlement, Ryder's Harbour, was founded in the 1760s. The site, located at the northeastern terminus of the island, was previously visited often by the many fishing expeditions from Trinity. Deer Harbour and [[Thoroughfare]] were settled nearby in the 1800s as fishing traffic to Random Island grew. On the western side of the island, settlers began arriving in the 1850s, mostly from the southern end of Trinity Bay. Soon thereafter, settlement took place on the southern portion of island, becoming Hickman's Harbour. | ||
By 1900, Hickman's Harbour, the site of the best deep-water anchorage, had become the centre of the Random Island [[fishing]] and [[shipbuilding]] industries. Other methods of employment include [[sawmill]]ing and [[slate]] [[mining]], though the actual [[quarry]] was across the sound in Nut Cove. This quarry was closed in 1907, though it reopened in 1990. In western Random Island, the communities were primarily based on [[clay]] mining for [[brickmaking]], and later, [[shale]]. | By 1900, Hickman's Harbour, the site of the best deep-water anchorage, had become the centre of the Random Island [[fishing]] and [[shipbuilding]] industries. Other methods of employment include [[sawmill]]ing and [[slate]] [[mining]], though the actual [[quarry]] was across the sound in Nut Cove. This quarry was closed in 1907, though it reopened in 1990. In western Random Island, the communities were primarily based on [[clay]] mining for [[brickmaking]], and later, [[shale]]. | ||
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The population of Random Island had risen to past 1000 by 1901, with Hickman's Harbour being the most populous community at 309 people.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} However, the industries that had supported Random Island for over a hundred years began to collapse in the early 20th century. Both slate quarrying and fishing had declined drastically, and as a result, shipbuilding and sawmilling also went down. Many residents moved to nearby Clarenville, while others were commuted off the island for their employment. | The population of Random Island had risen to past 1000 by 1901, with Hickman's Harbour being the most populous community at 309 people.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} However, the industries that had supported Random Island for over a hundred years began to collapse in the early 20th century. Both slate quarrying and fishing had declined drastically, and as a result, shipbuilding and sawmilling also went down. Many residents moved to nearby Clarenville, while others were commuted off the island for their employment. | ||
Constructing the Hefferton Causeway, followed by road upgrades, greatly facilitated travel to Clarenville and the rest of Newfoundland. Deer Harbour and Thoroughfare were resettled when it was decided in the 1960s not to link them to the roads. The population continued to rise slowly, and in 1986 the island's population reached just over 1500. Hickman's Harbour continued to be the largest community, with a population of 479. Apart from some fishing and sawmilling, few residents were employed on Random Island itself, more working at Clarenville or farther afield.<ref name="Description"/> | Constructing the [[Hefferton Causeway]], followed by road upgrades, greatly facilitated travel to Clarenville and the rest of Newfoundland. Deer Harbour and Thoroughfare were resettled when it was decided in the 1960s not to link them to the roads. The population continued to rise slowly, and in 1986 the island's population reached just over 1500. Hickman's Harbour continued to be the largest community, with a population of 479. Apart from some fishing and sawmilling, few residents were employed on Random Island itself, more working at Clarenville or farther afield.<ref name="Description"/> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||