Ballast Flint

Many of the cliffs on the south coast of England are composed of flint. Before the migratory fishermen set sail from the West of England for Newfoundland in the spring of the year they would collect flint from these cliffs to use as ballast. Once they reached Newfoundland this ballast flint was usually dumped in the harbour or on the beach. Ballast flint can be found on the beaches in most Newfoundland harbours that were frequented by the migratory fishing fleet.