Nova Scotia's Historic Harbours

Book excerpt: A local historian explores the rich history of this rugged Canadian coastline with fascinating research and twenty-five historical photos. The beautiful harbours of Nova Scotia take many forms. Some are broad and studded with islands, while others are long inlets carved out by glaciers. Prized by the indigenous Mi’kmaq people as well as European settlers, they contain fascinating tales from the Age of Sail the American Revolution, the Golden Age of Piracy, and much more. Featuring profiles of more than fifty harbours—from the Bedford Basin to Shelburne Harbour to Cobequid Bay, Louisbourg, and Canso—Nova Scotia’s Historic Harbours explores each harbour’s historical significance. Local historian Joan Dawson shows how these communities have been shaped by the sea, and how Nova Scotia’s growth has been driven by its wealth of harbours.