Bathurst, New Brunswick

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Bathurst (2006 population 12,714; UA 18,154; CA population 31,424) is a Canadian city in Gloucester County, New Brunswick.

Bathurst is situated on Bathurst Harbour, an estuary at the mouth of the Nepisiguit River at the southernmost part of Chaleur Bay.

Early settlers from France came to the area in the 17th century in what became part of the colony of Acadia. Following the fall of this part of Acadia to British control in the Seven Years' War, the region saw the arrival of numerous English and Scottish settlers, particularly during the latter 18th century through to the 20th century. The community was named by the Governor, Sir Howard Douglas (1823-1831), in honor of Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst (1762-1834), Secretary of State for the Colonies of the British government.

The opening of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada in 1876 provided a fast connection from the port of Bathurst to the rest of North America which was essential for developing the region's principal industries in forestry and zinc mining. Bathurst Airport accommodates general aviation, along with service to Montreal, Quebec via Air Canada.

In 1881, the Roman Catholic Church constructed the Sacré-Coeur Cathedral.

In 1998, the Laval Titan QMJHL franchise relocated to Bathurst, taking the name Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Bathurst is one of the smallest markets in the Canadian Hockey League.

Notable people of Bathurst

David Branch (1948-), commissioner of the Canadian Hockey League
Joe De Grasse (1873-1940), pioneer Hollywood film director
Sam De Grasse (1875-1953), pioneer Hollywood actor
Alexander C. DesBrisay (1828-1873), businessman, politician
Lyse Doucet (1958-), BBC journalist
Sir James Dunn (1874-1956), banker; art collector; industrialist; philanthropist
Kevin Munroe, animated film director and writer
Natasha St-Pier (1981-), singer
Phyllis Grant (1972-) Hip-Hop artist, animator

Phantom ship legend

Chaleur Bay is known for its phantom ship legend, dating over the past two centuries. The story (and witnesses) claim that a sailing ship burned in the waters north of the city, possibly from the Battle of the Restigouche, and is visible in certain weather and light conditions. A drawing of a burning ship can be seen on the city's welcome sign.

Boys in Red Tragedy

In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 12, 2008, a van carrying 10 students and two teachers crashed into a transport truck on NB Route 8 near NB Route 11, claming the lives of 8 people — seven of the students and one of the teachers. It was a tragedy that hit the people of Bathurst quite hard. The students went to Bathurst High and were on the basketball team. The teacher that died with them was the wife of their coach, who was driving. The coach and his daughter survived the accident, along with two of the players on the team. The names of the deceased are Nathan Cleland, Justin Cormier, Daniel Hains, Javier Acevedo and Codey Branch — 17 years old. The other two students are Nickolas Quinn, aged 16, and Nicholas Kelly, aged 15. The teacher was Elizabeth Lord, 51, who had a separate funeral from the large memorial held for the students. The Survivors of the crash were Head Coach Wayne Lord, Kaitlyn Lord, Bradd Arseneau and Tim Daley.

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