Miscou

   An island on the southern side of the entrance to the Baie de Chaleur. Name probably of Indian origin. First appears in Champlain's narrative. It was the reputed home of the Gougou, a very remarkable monster, described by Champlain. Cartier sighted the island in 1534, when sailing into the Baie de Chaleur. He named Miscou Point, Cap d'Espérance. A Basque establishment is mentioned here as early as 1623; and in 1645 Nicolas Denys built a fort about the same place, having secured a concession from the Company of Miscou.

   Index: Ch French habitation at, seized by Kirke, 177; Jesuit mission at, 234, 235.

   Bib.: Ganong, Place-Nomenclature of New Brunswick (R. S. C., 1896); Denys, Acadia, ed. by Ganong; Dawson, St. Lawrence Basin.