1
Use of horses in the ore mines.2
Early surface mining on the north east side of Bell Island.1900
Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
3
The use of horse power has had a long history on Bell Island. Long before the mine opened they were used for transportation and to plow the rich farm land on the western end of theIsland.During the first few years of surface mining they were used to haul cars and wagons.
4
Miner hand loading ore car at 900' west level, No 3. MineAugust, 1949
Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
5
After the ore face was blasted ore would be loaded into cars by hand.Roughly 60 percent of the ore that was mined at Bell Island was loaded by men with hand shovels.
6
A horse pulling a loaded ore cart1940
No. 2 Mine, Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
7
The cars were hauled to the surface by horses. Each mine had underground stables and the horses were tended by specialized workers called teamsters. The mine horses became famous in the area. Many of them spent nearly all their adult lives in the mines. One is reported to have worked in Number Six Mine for twenty-six years.8
Stable at the No. 2 Mine2004
No. 2 Mine, Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
9
A replica of the stable at No. 2 mine can be seen on the underground mine tour.10
Joy Loader1956
Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
11
Under the modernization scheme of the 1950s, horses were replaced by electric trolley cars, and ore-loading was done by machines instead of hand-shovels.12
Cars carrying ore from the mine to the surface.1956
Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
13
Horse shoes used by horses that woked in the mine.4 May 2005
No. 2 Mine Museum, Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
14
Horse shoes on display at the Museum |
 |
 |
 |