Day 12 - Bell Island

 This morning we left St. John's and headed to the Bell Island ferry terminal.  It was only about 10 km away.  The ferry only cost $16 for the two of us and the van and that included the return trip.  We toured Mine # 2, an Iron-Ore mine which closed in 1966.  It opened in 1902 and produced tremendous amounts during the II WW for USA and Britain.  It was attached 3 times by German U-Boats.  The first time 2 iron-ore carriers were sunk, the 2nd time another 2 iron-ore carriers were sunk and the 3rd time they hit the loading dock which was the only attack on land in North America during the IIWW by a German U-Boat.  Our guide was a grandson of of 2 of the miners and also a great grandson of 1.  The shifts were 10 hours of work, 6 days a week.  Sunday was the only day off.  You can't imagine how horrible the conditions were.  It was so dark in there and sooo cold.  It is 6 degrees summer and winter.  It is also very wet.  Work horses worked in the mines for periods of 30 days and were then changed out to another set.  They got so accustomed to the dark, that they had to be blindfolded when brought to the surface and slowing allowed to be exposed to the light of day.  The mine was 3 miles long and about 9 miles wide.  Lots of it was under the ocean.  Very creepy!  Man, what men had to do to provide for their families!  Then we drove around the rest of the island.  Stopping to take in the sights periodically.  At one spot we walked through a creepy tunnel in the rock and arrived in a cove completely surrounded by high cliffs.  Very cool.  We got back on the ferry about 3:30 and carried on to Holyrood.  We are now in the Blue Fin Campground for the night.  













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