[20][n 22] Murals have been painted on several buildings in the Town of Wabana, including the town office, referencing the mining past. [99], The island ended up in a very serious economic depression due to the closure of the mines. Population data 1976: Statistics Canada/Statistique Canada. Strait of Belle Isle, northern entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, eastern Canada. [113][114] A similar issue occurs in dozens of other small and remote communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, affecting a total of 10% of the provincial population in 2022. About: Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador) In the night of 45 September 1942, the U-513 under the command of Rolf Rggeberg entered Conception Bay. In contrast, the houses in good condition were used in some instances to temporarily house people living on benefits. Precipitation peaks during the warmer months of June to September in the form of rain. Bell Island, Canada's X-Files Isle - Canada's History Children can therefore attend both primary and secondary education locally. The province also includes over 7,000 tiny islands. [14] European fishermen and pirates already frequented the island early in the 16th century, mainly for the purpose of stocking up on potable water. [8] In the fishing season of 1681, for example, there were two ships and 26 boats that together accounted for a crew of 130 men. The cliffs, the ferry dock and the various settlements and lakes are clearly visible, Aerial view from the northeast with a clear view of both The Tickle and Portugal Cove, Bell Island has several soggy areas, including a number of real swamps, with some natural ponds scattered here and there. Population data 1986 (gemeentevrij deel Subd. R, SUN), 'Population of Communities by Census Consolidated Subdivision (CCS). 2 Mine took place, mainly because of the high cost of operating it. [99] The mine has been recognized as provincial heritage since 2006 and can be entered through the basement of the museum. [102] The same was true to a lesser extent for some growth centres within the province of Newfoundland, such as the nearby capital St. John's and the western Labrador mining communities Wabush and Labrador City. [130], In October 2021, during the corona pandemic, the provincial government announced that Bell Island had the lowest vaccination rate in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mysteries at the Museum Season 17', Wabana Iron Ore Mines National Historic Event, A chunk of Bell Island cracked off, and photos show more could fall, Bell Island collapse not an if, but a when, engineer says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bell_Island_(Newfoundland_and_Labrador)&oldid=1164013339, Pages using infobox lighthouse with custom Wikidata item, Articles with German-language sources (de), Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with Dutch-language sources (nl), Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, quadrangular tower atop a 1-storey fog signal building, Since 1988, Bell Island mining has been recognized by the federal government as a ", On April 23, 2019, a huge section of a northern cliff plunged down. [20] Opened in 1902, this mine extended up to 5.5km[95] out of shoreline and was up to 4.8km deep,[10] making it the largest submarine iron ore mine in the world. Mapcarta, the open map. [199] The hospital function has been reduced due to the decline in the population, so that it is now more like a outpatient clinic.[199][132][133]. [160], Map of eastern Newfoundland showing the Bell Island Group (click to enlarge), Map of eastern Newfoundland showing the Wabana Group (click to enlarge), According to the Kppen climate classification Bell Island has a Dfb-type climate. 27, a British-owned Free French ship (hit by one torpedo). The municipality also houses two Bell Island schools, St. Augustine's Elementary School and St. Michael's Regional High School. Newfoundland-Labrador fixed link - Wikipedia [169] Commercially interesting species found in the waters around the island are cod, squids and bluefin tuna. [149], Bell Island can be characterized geologically as a huge boulder consisting of sandstone and shale rock that towers dozens of meters above the waters of Conception Bay, like a table mountain. [58][n 12], As early as the end of the 1950s, however, the mines encountered increasing problems due to the presence of new competitors on the market who could produce cheaper and, moreover, often delivered ore with fewer impurities. Longitude. R, Subdivision of unorganized (SNO), Newfoundland and Labrador (Census subdivision)', "Lighthouses of Canada: Southeastern Newfoundland", University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Newfoundland and Labrador", "Sending Legionnaire away not an option, Bell Island protesters say", "N.L. [13] That island, like the even further south Kellys Island, is clearly visible from Bell Island. The vast majority of them live in the main settlement of Wabana,[5] which can be reached from Newfoundland via a ferry connection to Portugal Cove. [25] In the following decades, therefore, there were two companies operating side by side. [86][12][n 10][n 11] There was also a well-organized workers' union since 1941[87] and working conditions and safety were better at that time than in, for example, most American mines. [67][30] In 2019, Canada recognized the attacks as a national historic event and in 2022, the federal government put up an official memorial and information panel. Since the end of mining, the population has fallen dramatically and there has been a severe economic downturn. The major communities include St. Anthony and Port Saunders. [194] The administrative situation on the island is therefore very diffuse, which has already caused problems. Toggle Government and facilities subsection, Toggle Bibliography, notes and references subsection, In both the north and south of Bell Island there is a. Enjoy the small-town charm of the fishing village as you tour historic remains and walking trails. [10] The war also hampered other export opportunities. [234] The energy release was so powerful that the Vela satellites (which the US government used to detect nuclear tests by other powers) noticed the phenomenon, now known as the Bell Island Boom. [8][9] Bell Island has been in use as the official name since 1896,[10] although the old name Bell Isle also continued to live on in popular speech for a hundred years.[11]. They're mean twisted, sinister creatures." In 1911 the island already had more than 3000 inhabitants (compared to only about 700 inhabitants before the start of mining). The route is composed of the Trans Canada Trail, an assortment of logging and secondary roads, and IATNL-developed wilderness mountain trails. [42] The end of the war meant another blow to the local economy, as the demand for iron fell even further. 211.). [227] Contrary to most traditions, however, they are evil and deformed male fairies, albeit led by a queen. (Neary, "Epic Tragedy", p. [13] There is also a ravine on the east coast that is known as The Scrape. 2 Mine" on a guided tour. In 2022, only limited repairs have been carried out as there is only very little budget available for repairs. [141] In the rock layers fossils of, among others, microbial mats , Rangeomorpha, trilobites and arthropods can be found, albeit in limited extent. An interpreter will guide you up the steps and ladders to the top for a magnificent view - keep your eyes peeled for icebergs, seabirds, or breaching whales . Open Location Code. [112] In 2015 and 2019, residents complained about the situation in the press. [n 21], On the island of Newfoundland, there is a very limited form of regional government through the regional service boards. This concerns matters such as the street lighting, the snow removal of local roads, the garbage collection service and maintenance and repairs to the sewers and to the waterworks. [233] The chicken coop was completely destroyed and all the chickens had died. [233] Neighbours soon discovered three large pits in the snow behind the farm, which were considered "epicentre". [22] That amounts to 55% of the total mined quantities in that period. 51.50008 or 51 30' 0" north. In recent years, the local economy has turned to tourism to a significant extent, with the natural beauty, mining history and shipwrecks being the main draws. [115][116], In 20062007, divers led by Steve Lewis of The Explorers Club explored and documented the flooded mine tunnels of Wabana. This sparked a fear among the largely ageing population that there was no medical care would be more on the island except for one nurse at the local emergency room. [228][229] An organized walk through the many ghost stories takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings in the summer with an accompanying stage performance at a mine shaft. A Digital Flora of Newfoundland and Labrador Vascular Plants. [140] Because the central part of the island is relatively flat compared to the coast,[12][141] seen from the sea it has a somewhat table mountain-like view. [166] These include great black-backed gull, which breed annually on the south coast and near The Bell. [60] In addition, on 14 January 1937, a devastating fire raged in the town square of Wabana, which reduced fourteen shops and seven houses to ashes. [18][58] In cold winters, the surrounding water can sometimes become unnavigable due to ice conditions. As a result, the relatively small island acquired great international economic importance as it quickly grew into one of the most important iron ore producers in the world. [105] Besides a natural process of aging, due to the few jobs and relative remoteness, there is also a large emigration of people of working age that is not compensated by immigration. [163][164], The island has an average annual rainfall of 125 centimetres (49in), well above the Canadian average. [206] Both the provincial and federal government have financially funded Bell Island tourism. [65] In March 1939, when another war with Germany seemed very likely, the Commission of Government governing Newfoundland identified Bell Island as one of the most likely targets of a German attack. [192] Since then, the municipal territory roughly encompasses the northern half of Bell Island. In Wabana there is a fire station as well as a police station of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. [39], Miners with shovels and wheelbarrows working at an ore heap (ca. It is one of three lighthouses on the island and was maintained by the Canadian Government despite the fact that Newfoundland did not join Confederation until 1949. [11] In the 19th century, however, there was a clear growth with already 338 inhabitants in 1845. [40] Also, the ghosts of killed miners are said to roam the underground passages, especially those of the No. There are three church buildings on Bell Island for the Christian residents. [153] The Bell Island Group however contains on the surface in some places rock layers that are several tens of millions of years older. Its proximity and fairly easy accessibility to the capital is one of the main reasons why the island still has a relatively high population and has not become one of Newfoundland's numerous ghost towns. Population data 2021 (Wabana): Statistics Canada. R (Subdivision of Unorganized)", on the other hand. They can only operate by passing on the costs incurred to the residents via an invoice. [66] After all, it was obvious that the iron ore would be very important for the Allied war industry. Bell Island (Newfoundland and Labrador) - Wikipedia In addition, the ore mined in the mines of Bell Island was very important to the Allied war industry during World War II, which led to Nazi Germany attacking twice. [30] That same year an official ferry connection was created, albeit then from Kelligrews, located on the south coast of the bay. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. R, SUN), Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part B (Division No. Newfoundland and Labrador, 1991 and 1996 Census', 'Population of Communities by Census Consolidated Subdivision (CCS). [178][179], The coniferous forests mainly consist of fir trees. [189][190] That year there was a total of about 50 people who were ethnically partly white and partly of indigenous descent, thus the majority among them regarded themselves as white rather than indigenous. L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Newfoundland and Labrador Transport and Infrastructure, collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery, Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, List of islands of Newfoundland and Labrador, List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, History Channel Documentary on Bell Island & Electromagnetic Warfare, Mount CarmelMitchells BrookSt. [67][217][171][218] Experienced divers can also dive into the submerged mining tunnels if they have permission and certification. Bell Island is an island that is part of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's easternmost province. [n 18][189][190], The population of Bell Island consists almost exclusively of whites. [n 19][n 20][189][190], Since Canada is a federal state, much of the administrative power rests with the provincial administration, as does the determination of the supralocal administrative division. [226], Bell Island has long had a reputation as a "ghost island", with all kinds of folktales about supernatural beings and phenomena. [67][82], World War II ultimately proved to be a period of growth for Bell Island's mining economy. [141] Both groups are cumulatively divided into eleven different formations, nine of which occur on Bell Island itself. These include the purple chokeberry, wild strawberries and some species of blueberries and gooseberries. [80] Also tP.L.M. [43] They served as soldiers in battles of the Newfoundland Regiment in Northern France, Belgium and the Ottoman Empire or served in some cases as lumberjacks in Scotland. The first known European colony in North America was a settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows, established approximately 1000 years ago by the Norse. [20], The global impact of the closure of the No. The number of men and women together amounts to 2,080 instead of the established population of 2,079. They stayed in temporary residences in Wabana during the week and went back to their families on the weekends. Strait of Belle Isle | Maritime Passage, Labrador | Britannica [198] This health care facility (also known as the Bell Island Primary Health-care Clinic) is overseen by the Health Authority Eastern Health. Belle Isle (French for "Beautiful Island") is an uninhabited island slightly more than 24 km (15 mi) off the coast of Labrador and slightly less than 32 km (20 mi) north of Newfoundland at the Atlantic entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle, which takes its name. [165] There are also several seabird species that are found throughout the year on and around the island. Such heaps were built in winter, as shipping was then at a standstill. Ice patterns show that the island lies at the meeting point of two sea currents. [48] The combination of these resulted in many layoffs in the 1920s. [137] The cliffs are home to several sea caves and natural bridges and in several places overlook large rocks and sea stacks. [91] As many as 95% of the working population lived directly from the mining operation. [32][n 5]. [10] There were also a number of people working in sectors such as woodworking and trade. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Industry, Energy and Technology. [227][231] However, another tradition holds that it is actually a male figure who merely pretends to be a woman. [70], The attacks took a total of 65 lives. Two ferries collided with each other that day during a blizzard, namely the crowded W. Garland and Little Golden Dawn (which besides the captain only had an engineer on board). Location [33] In those early years the work was done under candlelight[15] and there was also a lot of child labour. [111] In the 21st century, the population count is still significantly lower in every five-year census compared to the previous one. [10], In 1892 Messrs. Butler and Miller of Topsail obtained a mining licence for the iron ore on the island, which at the time was first identified as hematite. [108], The very outdated network of waterworks on the island was in such a bad state that since 2002 there has been an official guideline to boil the tap water for consumption. [75] 29 people on board were killed. Funds were then raised to establish a permanent radio station. 1, Subd. [13], Especially between Bell Island and Little Bell Island, the waters are treacherous for shipping. [227] It victim is temporarily paralyzed by the unbearable stench and gets the feeling that the hag is crawling over him or her. [235][236], There were multiple reports of damaged electrical wiring and destroyed electrical appliances. [13][91] The route utilizes the MV Legionnaire with a capacity of 200 persons and 64 cars and the MV Flanders with a capacity of 240 persons and 36 cars. These included a small group of Chinese as well as some Lebanese Christians. Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services Archive and Museum (St. John's , Newfoundland and Labrador)', 'From mine closure to reinvention: A story of Bell Island Newfoundland', Federal and Provincial Governments Support Bell Island Tourism, 'Deep underground and back in time: a tour of the 'sacred' Bell Island mines ', 'Newfoundland's Bell Island the 'most haunted place in Canada', 'Bell Island swamp hag celebrated with Canada Post Halloween stamp', 'The Mystery Boom. Between 1961 and 2021, the population decreased from 12,281 to 2,079. That is a very rare type of lightning that is extremely powerful. As early as 1923, Bell Island had surpassed Harbour Grace as the second largest place in the Dominion of Newfoundland (after the capital St. [209] The ferry connection is thus vital for residents not only to go to work but also to buy certain things that are not available on Bell Island itself. The small discrepancy arises from the fact that Statistics Canada rounds this data to the nearest multiple of five. [165], However, Bell Island also provides a home to typical land birds. Advertisement Population, land area and population density: census division and subdivisions / Population, superficie et densit de la population: divisions et subdivisions de recensement. [n 16] According to the census of 2021, the municipality of Wabana has 1,815 inhabitants,[1] or more than 87% of the total population. There were only six survivors in all, including the two people aboard Little Golden Dawn.[73]. 3 Mine in operation. Flow lines in sea ice give a sense of the movement of the ice. Mainly because of the limited job possibilities, more people are leaving than there are moving towards the island. It is nearly 24km (15mi) from either coast, but it is slightly closer to the Labrador side of the Strait of Belle Isle, and it has a lighthouse (supported by flying buttresses) at both its northern and its southern ends. [236] The epicentre was around the Bickford family farm in the hamlet of Bickfordville, near Lance Cove. All the rest of the island, including Little Bell Island and Kellys Island, belongs to the Bell Island Group. The importance attached to the missions is clear from the fact that in the second attack they specifically sought out some crew members who were already familiar with the waters of Conception Bay via cargo ships. [31], The municipality of Wabana in the north is the de facto capital of the island. [70][76] After the attack, the government expanded the battery by installing additional searchlights, among other things. [105] Over the decades, however, the ferry connection has often been called unreliable, sometimes leading to protest and frustration. The icy-cold Labrador current flows through the 17 kilometer-wide Strait of Belle Isle, which separates Labrador from Newfoundland, and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. [1][2], The population percentage living in a low-income family in 2020 was 41.4% in Wabana and 36.5% in the south, compared to a national rate of 11.1%. Due to the aforementioned problems, however, the No. Ice Coverage Bergy water. [103][104][105] One of the most famous figures within the Bell Island diaspora was Harry Hibbs. Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador), the Glossary [121] On November 5, 2012, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission granted a licence to Radio Bell Island. They claimed to have seen a gigantic bluish flame and both their television set and fuse box had exploded. Belle Isle is situated nearby to Shalloway Cove and Dock Cove. At the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland, the remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement are evidence of the first European presence in North America. Roe Ltd. and their assets were in turn taken over by Siddeley Hawker Canada in 1962. [22][15], The two World War Two defensive guns of the coastal battery, which are located near the ferry port,[215][139] are still in good condition and can be visited. [27][n 3] The mining site was the easternmost in North America and was therefore given the name "Wabana", a combination of two terms from the native Abenaki language which should mean "place of the first light". And by the Relais Nordik Ferry Service which operates a seasonal service from Sept Isles, Quebec to Blanc Sablon, Quebec. [129] As two years earlier, the bombs were defused on land so as not to damage marine life and the touristic and historically important wrecks. Location: Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Canada, Canada, North America. [58][16][n 9] Shortly after the takeover, however, the Great Depression began, which led to years of reduced global demand for iron and steel. It was designed by William P. Anderson as one in a series of nine buttressed . Sea ice west of the ice edge. Despite early knowledge that the island had at least some mining potential, the information was ultimately not used. In addition to coniferous trees, many shrubs grow in the forests, which bear berries edible for humans. These included five Franco-Newfoundlanders, the province's French-speaking minority. Especially Cruziana trace fossils are very numerous. [167] The northern rock formation Grebe's Nest also has a large breeding ground for starlings. [228] The local community embraces the island's supernatural reputation and the local tourist office likes to put Bell Island in the spotlight as "North America's most haunted island". The island is home to the Bell Island Minor Hockey Association. [6][7] To the south are the hamlets of Lance Cove, Bickfordville and Freshwater. [142] In addition to a bed and breakfast, the island also has several cottages and Airbnb apartments that can be rented by tourists. The LSD Lance Cove only offers services to that place, not to the entire unincorporated area. [8] It concerned eight heads of households namely five families with children and three single men who together owned eight large and five small boats. [189][190] Only about fifteen people had a different mother tongue. [1][2] The 2,079 inhabitants therefore lived on average in a household consisting of 1.9 people. [137] In the unincorporated south of the island there are three more hamlets, namely Lance Cove, Bickfordville and Freshwater. [123] Among other things, a fight about the distribution of bingo income caused a lot of commotion in 2016. R): Statistics Canada. As early as the second half of the 1920s, the country had even once again become the main buyer of the Bell Island ore. [54] In 1960 there was a production of 2.81 million tons, the highest ever reached in a single year. Places Canada Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador), an island between Labrador and Newfoundland Strait of Belle Isle, in which the island is situated England Belle Isle, Leeds, West Yorkshire Belle Isle (Windermere), an island in Lake District, Cumbria Belle Isle park (Exeter) ,a small park in Exeter, Devon France Belle Isle (Brittany) Ireland In 1957 they were taken over by A.V. Division No. In 1936 the Newfoundland government already indicated in its defense plan that the mines of Wabana were one of the five strategically important places in the country.