Photo of a house in Burin courtesy of Memorial University.

On Nov 18, 1929 a strong earthquake shock was felt throughout the eastern seaboard, lasting upwards of a minute.The quake, originating on the southern edge of the Grand Banks, was the strongest in recorded history for the area, with a magnitude reading of 7.2. It was felt as far away as Montreal and New York City. The initial affects of the quake and aftershocks were seen as minimal, with Cape Breton Island reporting minor damage in the form of cracked chimneys, broken dishes and minor landslides impeding some roads, and no major injuries reported.

Isoseismal Map showing the extent of the earthquake. 12 transatlantic cables were ruptured when it occurred.

The same couldn't be said a few hours later. The people living in communities along the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland were taken by surprise by a tsunami that destroyed and carried houses, boats and fishing gear into the sea. 27 people lost their lives in one of the biggest disasters in Newfoundland history.

Tsunami aftermath in Burin, NL. Photo courtesy of Memorial University

The tsunami, estimated to have reached 13 metres, affected 40 communities in Newfoundland to a total loss of $1 million 1929 dollars (estimated $20+ million dollars today).

An eight foot wave came into Sydney Harbour, leaving significant damage in its wake, completely flooding Westmount Road and the shoreline road on the way to North Sydney. 

In Main-A-Dieu the wave was reported to be three feet above the government wharf, where boats and debris along the shore were carried into the street. In Louisbourg wharves and fish houses were flooded by the first major wave and smaller waves that followed. Streets at the lower end of the harbour were seriously damaged by the enormous tide.

Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star.

Although real tragedy occurred in Newfoundland, several people who lived through the earthquake and tsunami of 1929 in Cape Breton have passed stories down related to where they were on this eventful day.

For more of these types of stories check out the Sydney & Louisbourg Railway Museum's Facebook page, like it, and come visit us this summer in wonderful Lousibourg, NS. https://www.facebook.com/slrailway. The museum has been promoting the history and heritage of Louisbourg and area since 1972.

Chris Bellemore is a come-from-away blogger living on Cape Breton Island who is logging his experiences in this strange and wonderful place.

Some of my other articles:

Swordfish in Louisbourg: https://capebreton.lokol.me/what-louisbourg-was-know-for-swordfishing

Cape Breton lobster: https://capebreton.lokol.me/the-lobster-food-for-thought

The WW2 plane on top of Jerome Mountain, Cape Bretonhttps://capebreton.lokol.me/the-ww2-plane-on-top-of-jerome-mountain-cape-breton

The last schooner in Margaree: https://capebreton.lokol.me/the-last-schooner

Also, a link to the page I manage: Abandoned Places and Untold Stories of Cape Bretonhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/518156224947471/?multi_permalinks=1761060267323721&notif_id=1530696915827502&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic