Herring Cove, Nova Scotia
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Herring Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, at 44°34'; North and 63°33'; West, is a community located 15 km southwest of central Halifax at the mouth of Halifax Harbour, and at the intersection of Nova Scotia collector highways # 253 and # 349.
The area was known by the local Mi'kmaq aboriginal people as "Moolipchugechk" meaning a 'deep chasm or gorge', possibly due to the long deep cove or nearby rocky cliffs. European settlement in the area occurred following the settlement of Halifax, sometime around 1790.
On November 24th 1797, the frigate HMS Tribune ran aground on nearby shoals. Only 12 of the ship's 250 passengers and crew survived. The rescue was orchestrated by 13-year old Herring Cove resident Joe Cracker who rallied the community to the ship's aid and rescued the first two passengers in his small dory. There is a monument to Cracker at Tribune Head.
Early surveyor's maps list the community as Dunk Cove, named for George Montague-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, also the namesake of the nearby city. The present name has been attributed to either the surname of early settlers, or the abundance of herring in the cove. Along with the rest of Halifax County, Herring Cove became part of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) in 1996.
Although traditionally a fishing community as the name implies, during the past fifty years it has become populated with commuters who work in Halifax. Still, many residents are descendants of original Irish-Catholic settlers.
Tall rugged granite cliffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean in all directions. This area, known as "The Look-off" has become a very popular place to hike and picnic. At the highest point on the cliffs (about 100 ft. above sea level, though only a few feet inland), there is a large pile of giant stones that was erected as a monument at some point in the past. From here there is a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean and as far as Fairview on one side and Eastern Passage on the other, not to mention the perfect view of the passing of all sorts of ships from cruise ships to the world's largest tankers, as well as the daily flow of recreational sailors.
The population in 2001 was 1,530.
