Sydney, NS - Background & What's Ashore - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:31 PM

Sydney, Nova Scotia

No one knows exactly when the Micmac (Malecite) tribes first reached Nova Scotia. It is possible that they came from descendants of migrating nomads that had wandered across the Bering Land Bridge thousands of years ago. Eventually roaming clans populated two continents. Though there were occasional skirmishes, the Micmacs cherished their paradise and lived in relative harmony until near the end of the 15th century.

John Cabot reached Cape Breton Island, but it is not clear whether he landed or only sighted the land. French explorers established the first settlement in 1603 at Port Royal. Trappers and fishermen has lived in the region for some years.. But the port was the first to be formally declared. Nova Scotia (new Scotland) was the name given by King James I in his 1621 charter to British claimants led by William Alexander. There was violent fighting in the Americas. French and British troops passed lands back and forth in centuries-long tug-o-wars. The Micmacs were too soon too weak from new European diseases to resist. By the end of the 18th century, exploratory expeditions set out from “established” colonies in new York and New Hampshire. Immigrants were still arriving in search of “streets paved with gold” only to find that land in the newly independent America was already claimed. In 1785, Colonel JFW DesBarres led a group of Loyalists to Cape Breton Island and named the new colony of Sydney for British Colonel Secretary Lord Sydney. Within a few decades, a large influx of Celtic immigrants solidified the community, which served as the capital of the Cape Breton colony until it merged with Nova Scotia in 1820.

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:32 PM

The port continued to grow with the introduction of a productive steel industry during the 19th century. But unlike many industrial North American towns, the environment was carefully preserved. The foresight paid off when the industry began to falter and the city turned to its natural beauty for survival. Many cities in Maritime Canada were not so lucky.

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:34 PM

Sydney, Nova Scotia - What’s Ashore

St Patrick’s Church is Cape Breton Island’s oldest Roman Catholic Church. Built in 1828, the Gothic church is carefully preserved as Sydney’s historic archive.

Cossit House was built in 1878 as the official home for Reverend Rana Cossit, Sydney’s first Anglican Minister. It is located in the old part of the city near the church. The restored home is furnished in period style and includes some of Cossit’s own personal effects. Docents dressed in traditional costumes guide visitors through the home which is located at 75 Charlotte Street. Nearby is the Jost Heritage House (circa 1787) was built by a prosperous local merchant. Also preserved as a museum, the wooden home locate at 54 Charlotte Street, has an authentic cooking fireplace and bake-oven and special displays about local marine artifacts and an apothecary shop. The structure is a fine example of a colonial era wooden house.

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:35 PM

Fort Louisbourg
The French colonists landed at Louisbourg in 1713. As they competed with the British for control of North America, strategic placement became increasingly important. Fighting was nearly constant throughout the 17th century. Finally in 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht was signed and much of the territory, including Newfoundland, and what are the Maritime Provinces, was ceded to English control. The French retained Cape Breton and their fortress at Louisbourg commanded the entrance to the St Lawrence River. This posed a problem for the British. Even though they controlled the lands upriver, they were unable to reach their territory without passing through the French station. In 1745, British troops captured the fort, and 15 years later, they dismantled it. The fortress is partially restored. Uniformed “French soldiers” go about their routines in the compound as visitors watch the story of their daily lives unfold. “Maids” in period costume run local pubs. All workers have a personal story and will happily answer questions.

Baddeck
It is on the northern shore of the inland Bras d’Or (Golden Arms) Lake and was named for the Micmac phrase Abadak (“place near the island”). A small fishing port until the 18th century, Baddeck’s “discovery” led to summer cottages along the shore, shops, cafes and golf courses. Belying the Micmac name, the town retains strong Scottish heritage. There’s even an annual Celtic festival in October. The upscale resort has its own yacht club and summer arts fair. (At the hotel here is where we had lunch on our all day tour in 2004.)

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:36 PM

Alexander Bell Historical Site
Alexander Graham Bell was one of Baddeck’s proudest seasonal residents. His descendants still own the private family summer house and are frequent visitors. In honor of their adopted native son scientist, the community maintains a museum dedicated to his life and discoveries. You will be surprised to learn that Bell was interested in much more than electricity and communications. His experiments investigated genetics and techniques for working with deaf people. His powerful hydrofoil broke existing speed records. The center, just east of Baddeck and opened daily, hosts a series of summer workshops geared to encourage budding young minds. There are also regular presentations on Cape Breton history. (Our 2004 tour also included this stop - very interesting.)

Marconi National Historic Site
In 1902, Guglielmo Marconi sent the first “wireless” to a receiving station in England. The revolutionary event changed the course of human history and represented the birth of modern communications using magnetic waves instead of wire. Marconi was well known and respected as a scientist, so when he arrived in Sydney Harbor aboard the Royal Italian Navy warship Carlo Alberto, people turned out to see what was afoot. The Italian had made history the year before by receiving a Morse code signal from a station atop Signal Hill, named for the event, in St John’s, Newfoundland. The plan had been put in place the year before and by 1902, four 200 foot high aerial towers had been installed at the chosen Table Head site. Some adjustment was necessary, but the experiment was a success and 6 years later, the first public wireless service was operating. His Marconi process took the world by storm and the Marconi Company grew powerful between the two World Wars.

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2007, 03:38 PM

The Cape Breton station operated until 1946 and is now managed by the Canadian Park Service. Inside, displays follow the inventor’s life and include examples of the original equipment that was used in wireless transmissions along with explanations about the science behind them.

Cape Breton National Park
Cape Breton Highlands National Park was established to preserve the Breton Island magnificent natural wilderness. Covering the island’s northern tip, the park’s more than 150 square miles are home to indigenous plant and animal life. Native residents include black bear, moose, American bald eagle, and red tailed hawk. During the season, migrating and feeding whales can often be seen from the Cabot Trail that circles the park’s Oceanside boundary. (Near this park we stopped at a replica of a Scottish Highlands Village.)