Bell Island

On a cold grey rainy day, our last full day in St. John’s, we went to Bell Island. It was just a 20 minute drive from St. John’s to the ferry.

A 20 minute ferry ride and we were across ‘the tickle’.

Our first stop was a tour of the old iron ore mine. It was an incredible experience.

At one time the Bell Island mine was one of the largest producers of good quality iron ore in the world. It was open from 1895 to 1966. At its peak the islands population was about 12,000. Now the population is just over 2000.

Our guide was very knowledgeable. Her dad was a miner until he had a mining accident and had a significant injury. She gave us a ton of information. Below is a replica of all the mine shafts. We only toured the portion in white, the mine actually went miles under the ocean.

It was a little chilly ‘down below’. A constant 6C.

We had a nice gravel path to walk on, the miners did not. At one point the guide turned off the lights, it was blacker than black! Initially those miners had a candle attached to their cloth helmet as their only light source. There were lots of tools on display. A long bar that was used to break the ore loose after it was blasted weighed 30 pounds. Imagine what your arms felt like after a 10 hour work day.

The mine shaft was on a gradual downward slope and we eventually came to a large pool of water. The balance of the mine is now flooded and used by divers.

Next we went to the lighthouse. The views were spectacular. We met three other groups: from Ontario, Saskatchewan and BC.

Our next stop was Lance Cove, Seamans Memorial.

Not sure if the writing is legible, but Bell Island was the only place in North America to take a torpedo hit during World War ll.

Our last stop was Grebes Nest. I thought it was a birding place, but no birds. At the end of the road we could see this rock sticking up.

It was a short walk to the beach and then there was a cave. Daryl went through the cave to another beach. It was pitch black inside so I chose not to go.

Another day in the books. What a fabulous vacation.

Cheers

Ruth