Lewisporte, Nfld, Town, pop 3312 (2001c), 3709 (1996c), 3848 (1991c), area 36.91 km2, inc 1946, is a deep-water port and shipping centre in NOTRE DAME BAY, N-central Newfoundland. Settled around 1876, it was formerly called (Big) Burnt Bay and later Marshallville. It was renamed Lewisport (later Lewisporte) in 1900 after lumber pioneer Lewis Miller, who used the excellent harbour, connected by rail with the interior, as a port for lumber mills at Glenwood and Millertown. A large shipping yard was built at Lewisporte by Newfoundland Timber Estates, which assumed ownership of Miller's holding by 1903. Thus the former fishing, farming and boat-building settlement became a shipping port and sawmilling centre.
Today, Lewisporte serves as a major distribution, shipping and supply point for the NE coast of Newfoundland and coastal LABRADOR. It also has large fuel-storage facilities for Gander International Airport.