Theory of cornerstones

This is the spot, the corner- stone of the British Empire

A cornerstone is the first stone set in a masonry foundation. The cornerstone is important as all other stones will be set in reference to it and therefore determining the position of the entire structure.

Fishermen from Europe had been coming to Newfoundland since it was rediscovered by John Cabot in 1497. Therefore, the name - newly found land. In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert stepped ashore at this spot and claimed Newfoundland for England. Why it wasn't claimed before Sir Humphrey Gilbert made that bold step is anyone's guess. Maybe empire building wasn't the top of everyone's agenda until then. With that claim Newfoundland became the first British overseas possession and therefore the cornerstone of the British Empire.

When England had her finest hour in the words of Sir Winston Churchill we know it started here.

Newfoundland maintained Dominion status in the British Empire until it joined Canada in 1949. At that time Newfoundland gained a lot but also lost a lot. Instead of being master in her own house, she became one of 10 provinces and in the eyes of most Canadians, the province on the lowest end of the totem pole.

Today, Stan and myself put-in in Quidi Vidi, a small fishing village on the edge of St. John's and made for the harbour. A 20 minute paddle in lumpy seas and gusting winds and we were in with the big boys. Its an interesting perspective seeing the city from the water.

Oh, and there was no wharf in the harbour when Sir Humphrey Gilbert landed, nor did we need one today.

Tony :-)

The entrance to St. John's harbour known locally as "the Narrows". St. John's harbour is one of the most protected harbours on the east coast of North America. The entrance is very narrow which is what gives it its protection from the North Atlantic.

Stan and I were in the harbour with the big boys.

Stan with the monstrosity of Atlantic Place in the background. Buildings along the harbour used to be 3 or 4 stories high at the most. It was quaint. Its gone and you can't ever get it back. Out of the blue and into the black!

This is how St. John's looked before the massive buildings in the next picture were built. Everyone had a view of the harbour and it looks a bit more "old world". I prefer this view. People pushing development may say that development is progress. Well, so is the furniture you can buy today but why are antiques more expensive than new. Because they're not made anymore and there's limited availabilty. Once this view is gone, it'll be gone forever.

This side of the harbour is what you might call the cosmopolitan side of St. John's harbour. It looks like so many other cities of North America, all developed. Some people may say this is progress. I don't think so. It think it looks monsterous and it will be difficult to undo. This type of development is more suitable outside of the city core (downtown) because downtown can't cope with parking.