Bell Island Miners

 

Prepared by Randell Mercer

Feb 8, 2021

First, let me begin by thanking Doug Hussey for the old photo attached to this article. Doug is a grandson of Leander Hussey. For those familiar with Upper Island Cove, Leander and his family resided at Fessa’s Lane (in the proximity of the current day Town Council office). This photo is truly ‘one for the archives’; it holds a lot of historical value for at least two reasons.

Firstly, it provides witness to a weekly activity undertaken by many of our forefathers, in the course of providing for their families, that none of us know truly little about or have witnessed. To many families of Upper Island Cove, from the late 1800s into the early 1950s, the 'Bell Island Mines' was the "Alberta" of those times. Given the fluctuating state of the fishery and the lack of alternative means of income, at that time, many men (if not most) from this community took up mining on Bell Island as a better alternative to the poor prospects of the fishery.  At the turn of the 20th century and earlier, a time when vehicles and roadways were not commonplace, the obvious means of travel, for the Bell Island miners, was to be ferried directly across Conception Bay to the iron ore mines; those same mines that protruded for miles, like fingers, underneath the seabed towards the place from which the miners came. The attached photo captures one such ferry trip, a regular occurrence out of Island Cove at the turn of the 20th century.

Secondly, and probably of larger importance, this old photo captures the coastline of the 'Cove' from an offshore vantage point, at a time in its past, when, except the wooden flakes, had maintained its original natural features dating back to its first settlers. Very few living today can visualize the details of that shoreline, but for generations of our local fore-bearers it was an image that was virtually unchanged for decades. There may be no other photo that records such an image of the community as it existed more than a century ago, and beyond. At least, I have yet to see one.

There are further historical questions, relating to this photo, that are important to resolve and record. But to further enhance the value captured in this grand old picture it will take a collective effort to determine the answers.

 Who owned the vessel?  What name did it go by?

 Who owned the various homes, and stages & flakes along the shoreline?

 Who took this picture, and from what location? What year was it taken?

 I would ask anyone reading this article, who may have some information or insight (or who may be aware of some other person or source) that would be helpful resolving these or other relevant questions, to please forward your response to me (Randell Mercer) rmercer.uicfamilyroots@gmail.com. I will undertake to follow-up and share all validated information.