All PostsBell Island, Newfoundland

Picks and Shovels Preparing Mine for Cave Divers

By January 6, 2016 No Comments

Rick Stanley reported in from the building projects in the mine late last night:

Another successful day with another 1/3 rd done with volunteers Mark and Marcia McGowan, Johnny Olivero, Nick Dawe and myself. Belle Islands Staff Volunteers Bonnie and Tom Spracklin and Teresita (Teddy) McCarthy all on hand.

We cleaned up big area where large picnic table will be going along with an area around the Rib 32’ for a gear set-up work bench and storage. We cleaned down walking area down the slope to the water’s muddy edge. We installed steel supports over a deep trench to attach our platform and for a gangway to floating dock. ( Docks and platforms yet to be built).

Lunch today was prepared by Marcia in the cafeteria of the mine….fantastic sandwiches cakes and cookies….and she’s coming again tomorrow with special chilly…..going to keep her on…and you should see her moving iron ore…the miners were turning over in their graves today…hahaha!

In the afternoon we continued working on bridge area and cleaning slopes… We edged the walkway with iron ore chunks and old Powerline posts that were nearby for safety to keep folks on track walking down slope. We cleaned away iron ore off old water pipes as they are artifacts and to have that nice line looking down the shaft to the water.

Good day had by all and tomorrow we work on lighting, diverting water running down slope and installing a water pump and hose for wash-down area. Also beautification will continue 😉

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Author Jill Heinerth

Cave diving explorer, author, photographer, artist

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