La Manche was a community on the east coast of the Avalon Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland between Cape Broyle and Tors Cove in a small inlet surrounded by steep hills. In French, la manche means "the sleeve". The area is named for the shape of the harbour, which is long and narrow with high sides. This harbour was probably first used by the French because of its seclusion which offered cover between raids on Ferryland and St. John's.[1]