. . OUR NAME     . Map of Fogo Island   The town of Joe Batt's Arm ..Joe Batt's Arm is part of the community of Fogo Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. Population: about 1,200. . Originally, Fogo Island was inhabited by the Beothucks. In the early 1500's the Island was taken over by the Europeans, who found the waters teeming with fish. It was then called Y del Fogo. Joe Batt's Arm was settled in the 1700's by the Irish and the English. The Irish chose to settle on the South side of the harbour, while the English settled on the North. Joe Batt's Arm was named after Joe Batt, a member of Captain Cook's crew, who explored Newfoundland's northeast coast during the 1760's. Batt left Cook's ship in 1763 and settled on Fogo Island, where he left his now famous name. Joe Batt's Arm is still a fishermen's community. The ocean is so cold, that the fishermen don't learn how to swim, because when you fall into the ocean and you can swim, it 'll take about 10 minutes before you die. If you don't know how to swim, it just takes two minutes. I love Joe Batt's Arm because I used to be a cook in the merchant navy, and because I love to see the Irish and the English getting along in perfect harmony since several centuries.   Wadham's Song From Bonavista to the Cabot Isles   the course is north full forty miles When you must steer away nor'-east   till Cape Freals, Gull Isle, bears west-nor'-west Then nor'-nor'-west thirty-three miles   three leagues off shore lies Wadham's Isles, Where of a rock you must beware   two miles sou'-sou'-east from off Isle bears. Then nor'west by west twelve miles or more,   there lies Round Head on Fogo's shore, But nor'-nor'west seven or eight miles   lies a sunken rock near Barrack's Isles. Therefore, my friend, I would you advise,   since all these rocks in danger lies, That you may never amongst them fall,   but keep your luff and weather them all. As you draw near to the Fogo land,   you'll have fifteen fathoms in the sounding sand, -- From fifteen to eighteen, never more,   and that you'll have close to the shore. When you abreast of Round Head be,   then Joe Batt's Point you'll plainly see; To starboard then three or four miles,   you'll see a parcel of damned rugged isles. When Joe Batt's Arm you are abreast,   Fogo Harbour bears due west, But unkind fortune unluck laid   a sunken rock right in the trade. So, nor-nor'west you are to steer,   till Brimstone Head doth appear, Which over Pilley's Point you'll see,   that of that danger you are free. And as you draw within a mile,   you'll see a house on Symes's Isle; The mouth of the channel is not very wide,   but the deepest water is on the larboard side. When within Symes's Point you have shot,   then three fathoms of water you have got; Port hard your hellum and take care,   in the mid-channel for to steer. When Pilley's Point you are abreast,   starboard haul, and steer sou'-sou'west Till Pilley's Point covers Syme's Stage;   then you are clear, I will engage. When Joe Batt's Arm you are abreast,   then Fogo Harbour bears due West. But unkind fortune unluck laid,   a sunken rock right in the trade. So nor'-nor'west you are to steer,   'till Brimstone Head do plain appear. Which over Pilley's Point you'll see,   then of that danger you are free.   . You'll find the kennel of Joe Batt's Arm in the Dutch province of Drenthe. Our address: Zuidzijde 13,7874 TD Odoornerveen, The Netherlands. Phone: 0591 - 387522 Fax: 0591 - 387160 . Mr. Joe Batt's Arm: Jack   EMAIL: info@joebattsarm.com         Website maintained by Pinto Publishing Services webmasters@pintopub.com