The Bay of Fundy is one of the Marine Wonders of the World with tides rising as much as 16.3m (53 vertical feet) over a 12-hour period twice each day.
The Cape Enrage lighthouse, one of the oldest on New Brunswick’s Fundy coastline, has a rich history. The initial lighthouse was constructed around 1840 at a cost of £600. It likely projected a fixed, white light, later replaced by a green hazard light. The land for the project, sold by David Tingley for £50, included a complimentary road leading to the Cape.
The chosen location was deemed suitable by the Commissioners as it had water, buildable stone, some arable land, and a vantage point offering a direct line of sight from Rockport southward to St Martins.
Recent discoveries indicate that a second lighthouse, the one currently standing, was built at Cape Enrage in 1870. Originally featuring a revolving white light, it was replaced with a fixed green light around 1999. Interestingly, Cape Enrage, now known as Barn Marsh Island, is only connected to the mainland via a beach-head where the road has been built, separated by Barn Marsh Creek.
Cape Enrage derives its name from the turbulent waters that surge over the reef extending southward from the island for nearly a kilometer at low tide. The rough seas, which can be seen from even farther distances on windy days due to the clash of currents and wind, make it one of the most dangerous areas for seafarers in the upper Bay of Fundy.
In the 19th century, a significant amount of shipping traffic passed by Cape Enrage, destined for The Bend (now known as Moncton), the Petitcodiac River, Cumberland Basin, Grindstone, Rockport, and other settlements on Shepody Bay. During this period, shipbuilding and stone quarrying were integral industries in the upper Bay of Fundy, and barges hauling gravel from Waterside Beach to Moncton continued well into the 20th century.
Numerous shipwrecks occurred at Cape Enrage and Grindstone Island, prompting the construction of a lighthouse on the latter in 1886. This lighthouse was decommissioned in 2000, with its last keeper, Wainwright Weston (known as Pappy Weston), living on Route 915 at New Horton for many years afterward.
Along with its natural beauty, Cape Enrage also offers family-friendly adventures: the 183-metre (600 foot) zip line, the 46-metre (150 foot) rappel wall, or grab a group of six and try the 18-metre (60 foot) natural rock climbing wall!
Cape House Restaurant also provides a selection of beers and wines for patrons’ pleasure, along with a children’s menu.
Explore a variety of gems at the Gallery at the Cape Shop, situated in one of the most visually striking locations in North America. The gallery showcases a diverse range of works by local artists and artisans, including paintings, carvings, glasswork, and the beloved “Rockies” that have been a staple at Cape Enrage for years.
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I read a novel about a family that came from England and was dumped on a cape/point in NB turn of the century. They barely survived their first winter being totally unprepared for the harsh climate of the Cape. Through sheer willpower and grit, and some help from a native resident/pastor, they eeked out a living with salted cod. The young men went whaling for oil. Does anyone recognize this fascinating story by a NB woman author perhaps published in 1980’s or 1990’s? the novelist wrote a sequel. In my opinion not as good or gut wretching as the first historical novel of the people of NB. This novel should be made into a movie. I would appreciate any help with this matter. I would love to read this again.