Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia

History

The name comes from the Portuguese fishermen who for many years sailed in the summer months fishing in the 18th century. During the War of 1812, the community received the 133 passengers from the wreck of the HMS Atalante (1808). A local fishing vessel discovered the passengers in three small vessels stranded in the fog and guided them to safety at Portuguese Cove. Captain Hickey reported, the "inhabitants of Portuguese cove behaved towards us all with every possible mark of hospitality, kindness, and attention, that humanity could dictate."