The Narrows, St. John's

The Narrows, is the only passage from the Atlantic Ocean to St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, bordered north and south by steep rock walls.

[2] In 1855, work began to blast away the submerged top of the Merlin Rock to make a safer passage for steam ships.

[3] The Narrows has served an important defense of the city of St. John’s from early pirates and settlers in 1655 to World War II.

In 1655 vice admiral Christopher Martin erected a fort on the south side to prevent privateers and enemy vessels from entering the port.

The Fort Amherst Lighthouse, now a heritage site, was erected at South Head, at the entrance to the Narrows to guide approaching vessels.