TACK'S BEACH 335 LE BAY (pop. 1945, 33). Table Bay, Labrador, is ophiolites (or sections of the ocean crust and upper TAB t 3o km east of Cartwright. The Bay is about 10 mantle), including the "transition zone" between the abou ·de across tts· mouth an d runs m· 1an d 10r~ more t h an two. The rocks of the Tablelands consist of peridotite, kill Wl . km- Table Harbour 1s ~bout 10 km_t~ the Bay, on with the exposed surface weathered to a tan colour that 20 the north side with severaltslands provtdmg shelter, at contrasts with the surrounding hills, all the more so the point where the Bay narrows. The Harbour and Bay since the unusual chemistry of the rocks is inhospitable ke their names from a flat-topped landmark, Table to most plant life. The ophiolites of the Tablelands are ~ill, which is visible for some distance out to sea. The not only well-exposed, but also uniquely accessible h ad of the Bay formerly had a small year-round popu­ (from the road through Trout River Gulch from Woody l ~ion and was also a winter place of Indian Tickle qv. Point). The area has been protected since the establish­ ;here were several small fishing stations on the north ment ofGros Morne National Park in 1973. In 1987 the side including Table Bay Point (North Head) and Mul­ Park was declared a world heritage site, chiefly be­ lins 'Cove, while the south side was once dotted with cause of the geological significance of the Tablelands. winter-houses at places such as Lugs Cove, Otter Brook, Pat McLeod (1988), Rocks Adrift: the geology ofGros Burdett's Brook, Leddies Brook, Big Bight and Old Cove. Morne National Park (1990). RHC As early as 1820 there were reported to be New­ foundlanders wintering at Table Harbour, and there TACK'S BEACH (pop. 1966, 140). A resettled fishing were year-round residents by the 1850s. In 1856 the community, Tack's Beach was located on King Island, population was recorded at 29, which probably in­ the largest of the Ragged Islands qv in western Placen­ cluded the families of Thomas Reeves and John Mac­ tia Bay. The community (which is usually considered donald. Other family names of Table Bay include to have included Baker's Cove, Best's Cove, Broad Pardy and Burdett (names associated with Indian Cove, Cooper's Cove and Yawl's Cove) was centred Tickle), as well as Heffler (stepchildren of one of the on a narrow beach which separated two coves nearly Macdonalds) and Davis (from Sandwich Bay). By the bisecting King Island: Tack's Beach "proper" (facing 1940s most of these families had summer fishing west) and Best's Harbour. The narrow section of land premises outside the Bay, either at Indian Tickle or at around and between the two coves was the most Cape North, and it would appear that most moved to densely populated area of the Ragged Islands. Cartwright in the 1950s. Since that time some Cart­ The Ragged Islands were probably first settled by wright residents have had cabins at the bottom of fishermen from elsewhere in Placentia Bay, encour­ Table Bay, chiefly for winter use, while Table Bay aged by the establishment of Spurrier and Co.'s prem­ Point has been used as a summer fishing station. W.G. ises at Isle Valen and Barren (Bar Haven) Island in the Gosling (1910), Larry Jackson ed. (1982), V. Tanner early 1800s. By about 1834, William Bolt and his (1947), Census (1857-1945), Them Days (Jan. 1991), family were living at Tack's Beach. According to fam­ Archives (A-7-5/13; VS 113; MG 8/8/14). RHC ily tradition the Bolts of Tack's Beach were descended from a man who changed his name after "bolting" from the Royal Navy. The Census of 1845 recorded two Church of England families at Tack's Beach. By 1857 the population had reached 42. George Best is said to have settled Best's Harbour in 1867, while Henry Haines was an early settler at Cooper's Cove. Baker's Cove first appears in the Census in 1874 with a population of 11. William Brown started a small business c. 1860, with premises at Broad Cove, and Tack's Beach soon became a minor mercantile centre for the people of nearby islands. The business was expanded by his son as H.C. Brown and Co., and became an important local firm. Other planters of Tack's Beach in 1871 were Benjamin Barrett and Samuel and Thomas Bolt. By 1891 three lobster factories had opened on the Ragged Islands and John Warren had established a business on The Tablelands Galton's Island. When lobster became less abundant, a TABLELANDS. The Tablelands are spectacular pla­ schooner and *western boat fishery qv developed to teaus lying southwest of Bonne Bay and within the exploit grounds around Cape St. Mary's and Cape boundary of Gros Morne National Park. They have Race. By 1921 "greater" Tack's Beach had a popula­ been described as one of the most spectacular geologi­ tion of252. cal features of eastern North America: a feature of In the 1920s and 1930s the population of the Ragged "world-wide natural significance" (Rocks Adrift), as Islands began to concentrate at Tack's Beach. The one of the best surface exposures of the earth's upper Green, Dowden, Warren, Trowbridge and Lockyer mantle. Geologists have established that the Table­ families were among those who moved to Broad and lands were once beneath a former ocean and consist of Baker's coves. Herring factories at Broad, Best's and 336 TAGS (THE ATLANTIC GROUNDFISH STRATEGY). Tack's Beach Cooper's coves attracted some of these new settlers, bly for Trinity district. Who's Who in and from New­ as did seasonal employment in a whaling factory at foundland 1927 (1927). ILB Rosiru qv, on Merasheen Island. Yawl's Cove was settled in the 1940s by George and Stella Brown. The TAIT, JAMES SINCLAIR ( 1849-1928). Physician; 1950s were marked by a decline in the bank and her­ politician. Born Wallace, Nova Scotia; son of James ring fisheries and some men from Tack's Beach sought and Catherine (Sinclair) Tait. Educated Wallace; Am­ work elsewhere. The population had dropped to 140 herst, N.S.; Mount Allison University; Dalhousie Uni­ by 1966, when people began to resettle permanently. A versity; University of Pennsylvania. Married Sarah few families stayed the winter, but by the fall of 1967 Elizabeth Calkin; father of Archibald C. and Robert H. the community was deserted. A total of 45 families Tait qqv. Tait taught for several years in Nova Scotia settled in Arnold's Cove, 10 in Dunville, six in Burin and New Brunswick, and for two years at Brigus. He and the rest elsewhere. A handful of fishermen contin­ graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsyl­ ued to fish the waters off King Island for cod and vania in 1882. Tait practised at Brigus for three years, lobster. A reunion was held in 1992, attracting people and then moved to St. John's. For several years he was from various places in Newfoundland, Canada and the superintendent of the Asylum for the Insane, visiting United States. Brown and Hollett (1992), E.R. Seary physician/surgeon to the General Hospital and public health officer for St. John's. ( 1977), Lovell s Newfoundland Directory ( 1871 ), Cen­ ~ sus ( 1836-1966), Centre for Newfoundland Studies Tait was a contributor to various publications, and (Tack's Beach), Newfoundland Historical Society author of brochures on anatomy, tuberculosis, and en­ (Tack's Beach). ACB docrinology, as well as a frequent lecturer on medical, political, social and scientific subjects. He was elected TAGS (THE ATLANTIC GROUNDFISH STRAT­ MHA for Burin in 1889 and 1893 as a supporter of EGY). See TRANSITIONAL FISHERIES ADJUST­ William V. Whiteway. In 1893 he introduced and MENT PROGRAMS. guided through the Assembly a bill entitled "An Act to Regulate the Practice of Medicine and Surgery in TAIT, ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL (1884-1966). Phy­ Newfoundland". (He later served as secretary of the sician. Born Brigus, son of Elizabeth (Calkin) and Newfoundland Medical Board.) The next year he was James Sinclair Tait qv. Educated Bishop Feild Col­ one of several Liberals unseated under the "election lege; Stevenage School, England; University of Ed­ petitions" case. He did not run for re-election, but was inburgh. Married Helen Anderson. Tait began the a St. John's municipal councillor from 1916 to 1920. practice of medicine at Brigus in 1910, and moved H.Y. Mott (1894), DNLB (1990), Who s Who in and to New Harbour in 1912. He served overseas from from Newfoundland 1927 (1927). ILB December 1915 to March 1918 as a captain in the Army Medical Corps. On his return Tait established TAIT, ROBERT HOLLAND (1891- ?). Soldier; law­ a general practice in St. John's, and also served at yer. Born St. John's, son of Sarah Elizabeth (Calkin) the St. John's Fever Hospital and as quarantine offi­ and James S. Tait qv. Educated Bishop Feild College; cer for the port of St. John's. Tait was a member of Trinity College, Oxford; University of King's College. the St. John's city council from 1926 to 1930. In Married Margaret G. Gibb. Newfoundland's Rhodes 1923 he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Assem- Scholar at Oxford in 1910 (where he was captain of the TALQUAL 337 Anti-confederate and was subsequently appointed to the cabine~ of ~harles J.~. ~ennett. He was appointed to the Leg1slat1ve Council m 1870, but resigned from both cabinet and the Council in 1872 on being ap­ pointed High Sheriff.