Page:Tourist's Maritime Provinces.djvu/281

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NORTHERN NOVA SCOTIA
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over half a million tons a year. The total annual production of all the beds worked from Sydney peninsula is now about 4,000,000 tons. The Dominion Coal Company alone employs 5,400 persons. This syndicate, formed in 1899 with a capital of $20,000,000, has transformed from an indolent village to a thriving and attractive centre of trade the old provincial capital of Sydney. The mines at Glace Bay on the northeast coast may be conveniently visited by tram car. Iron and steel are manufactured from ore obtained on Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland.

Sydney has a present population of about 20,000. Its situation on a superb harbour, which has been a refuge for navigators since the earliest history of Cape Breton, not only conduces to trade but creates a delightful summer environment. A favourite drive follows the northern shore to Low Point (13 m.) and may be continued to Lingan and Glace Bay. Other roads take a southerly direction to Sydney River and East Bay, and to Mira River (12 m.) whose outlet is in the markedly beautiful bay of the same name which rounds inland just north of Louisbourg. Mira River and Bay are both frequented by fishermen, the former for its salmon and trout and the latter for its July tuna fishing. The river is navigable for 30 miles and is toured by steamboat from Louisbourg.

The S.S. Weymouth connects Sydney and North