Bell Island #2 Mine Tour and Museum

Bell Island is the largest island in Conception Bay and lies off the coast to the west of St. John’s, Newfoundland. That may seem unremarkable, but from 1895 to 1966 this tiny island was a major, global iron ore mining hotspot. So imporant was it, that Nazi Germany attacked it twice during the second world war.

Bell Island #2 Mine was the site of the first submarine tunnel from the island. It began in 1902 and by the time of its closure in 1949, extended 4 km (2.5 miles) under the bay. When the mine closed, so too did the pumps and the tunnels flooded beneath level 23. What remains is now part of museum and tours led by local guides many of whom are decendants of former miners.

Getting to Bell Island requires a 20 minute ferry ride from the mainland. Bell Island #2 Mine is a further 3 km from the ferry terminal. The island itself will be of interest to geologists. The sandstone and shale is anomalous compared to the typical granites of the Avalon Peninsula. Essential a table mountain set in the ocean, Bell Island is almost surrounded by cliffs and offers plenty more to see.

The museum at #2 mine has a coffee shop and gift shop, perfect for warming up after your tour and buying something to remember it by. Any trip to St. John’s should include a day trip to Bell Island #2 Mine to experience the harrowing lives of miners a century ago.