6

Bell Island
14 March 2006
Bell Island, Newfoundland, Canada

7

The number of women and children on the island also hit a peak when the mines started production. Between the 1940s and 50s, 60% of the population was under the age of 20. Stable income from the mines allowed many young couples to start families on the island which again increased the need for a permanent medical facility in the area. Women often gave birth on the island with the help of a midwife, but if complications arose and the mother or child was in need of serious medical attention a trip across to St. John's had to be arranged.