Bell Island is an island 9.7 kilometres in length and 3.5 kilometres in width, with an area of 34 square kilometres, and a poulation of 2,224 (2021). The subsurface is composed of Ordovician sandstone and shale with red hematite.
Named after a large bell-shaped rock off its west end, it was one of the world's major iron-ore producers from 1895 to 1966 when the mines were permanantly shut down.
If you are going 'overseas' as the men stationed here to guard the mines did during World War II, check out some of the other geocaches, the scenery and the history of this place. My favourite cache on the whole island is https://coord.info/GC6EDE, a Geocaching.com 'Geocache of the Week'!
It will be easy to enjoy a full a day of it as there is lots to see and do! The view of the belle on the west end is great, and the lighthouse too, on the oposite end of the island. There are even tours of the underground mine! (seasonally!) (And an earthcache!)
To get there you will have to cross 'The Tickle'. That is Newfoundland English for a short narrow strait as separates the island from Portugal Cove!
For transportation you may consider one of the 'Bell Island - Portugal Cove' ferries, either the MV Flanders or the MV Legionnaire. Fare at time of writing is car and driver, $10 return, passengers $4 additional per head. Discounted rates are available for littl-ings, scholars and old folks! Haha!
You can get more information at
• https://www.gov.nl.ca/ti/ferryservices/
Now, along the way grab a scarce virtual cache!
Now don't go jumping overboard! Don't be at it!
There is no cache container! And, you will get wet! You're in 75 fathom of water out here, (about 450 feet)!
People will be running around, jumping up and down shouting 'man overboard', so don't be at it!!
The boat will be late and it'll surely ruin your day, to mention nothing of the other passengers on the vessel! And the schedule! Oh my😯, the schedule!!
Now, this is what you'll need to do!
Pull out your GPSr or phone and open up your favourite app. Now count down the distance on map, sat image or compass to GZ. At your closest approach, make a screenshot showing distance to GZ.
Logging Tasks
You MUST post three (3) pictures with your log. They are
• 1./ a screenshot of your phone or GPSr showing that you are within 200 meters of GZ,
• 2./ a photo including an object with your geocaching name taken at sea, and,
• 3./ a photo that includes a portion of your means of transport and something interesting about your day, be that your kayak, mega-yacht, whales or a porpoise, seabirds or seals, the Spring ice in the tickle, huge waves breaking over the bow, or the mirror smooth surface of the sea in Summer.
And,
Last and not least, send a message to CO with the name of your vessel, and your closest approach to GZ from your screenshot. One cold snowy day next winter, probably around March 4, 2023, I'll go back through the logs, and see who ends up closest. I'll send an un-activated geocoin of my choosing to the winner! If there is a tie, the earliest log date wins!
Logs that are not supported by the required photos will be deleted!
Now, Some more, Bell Island links,
• https://www.historic-wabana.com/ferries--the-tickle.html
• https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/economy/bell-island-mines.php
• https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/travel/bell-island,-canada-s-x-files-isle
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.