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From: "C.Pieczewski" <>
Subject: [NF-ROOTS] Bell Island R.A.G.
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2003 23:05:07 -0400


#12

The 1955 Christmas season with a snow covered landscape, presented one of
the most beautiful Festive season set-ups witnessed locally for some time.
Employees of the Company began their annual vacation with pay on Dec 23rd,
returning to work on Jan 3rd. Employees living around Conception Bay spent
the Yuletide at home there, with their families. Employees living on Bell
Island also spent the time quietly with their families.

Congratulations are extended to
Mr. And Mrs. Walter PARSONS on the occasion of their 50th wedding
anniversary during December. Before retiring on pension, Mr. PARSONS was
employed as Piers Superintendent.

Mr. And Mrs. Robert DAVIS on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary
on Dec 20th. Mr. Davis is at present employed with the Engineers’
Department

Mr. And Mrs. Thomas CONWAY on the occasion of their 36th wedding anniversary
on Dec 13th. Before retiring on pension Mr. CONWAY was Captain of No. 4
Slope

Mr. And Mrs. Walter SELLARS on the occasion of their 30th wedding
anniversary on Dec 25th. Mr. SELLARS is presently employed as Chief Clerk,
Shops Department

Mr. And Mrs. Douglas NEIL on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary
on Dec 27th.

Other employees who celebrated wedding anniversaries during Dec are:
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel FOWLER, 23rd anniversary on Dec 8th
Mr. and Mrs. Stan HICKEY, 5th anniversary on Dec 4th


The Bell Island Lions’ Club, held a pre-Christmas Turkey Raffle on Town
Square to provide funds to help provide toys for those children in need of
them.
The Bell Island Kiwanis Club also projects to provide funds for those
needling help during the Christmas Season.
The Community Christmas Tree, decorated with outdoor lights, was erected at
the usual site on Town Square.

The following employees announced their engagements during December:
Wallace NEIL – Accounting Department
Robert PETRIE – Mechanical Department
Blair KENNEDY - No. 3 Slope
Jerry FITZGERALD – Mechanical Department

The children of all Bell Island schools held their annual Christmas
Concerts and School closing exercises previous to the closing of the schools
for the holidays. All were reported to be well attended by the children’s
parents.

Rosalie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald GOSSE entered hospital in December
to receive treatment for injuries received in a motor accident near her
home, Scotia Ridge, Bell Island
Edna, 3 yr old daughter of John E. PARSONS, Bell Island, entered the Fever
Hospital for treatment during December.
Rhody HISCOTT, No. 6 Slope, entered hospital in St. John’s during December
through illness. He is back on the job now and reported to be feeling fine
Leonard METCALFE, No. 4 Slope, entered hospital for treatment in December
Patrick, 16 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James O’BRIEN, underwent an
appendectomy operation at hospital in Dec
Catherine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phonse HAWCO was also operated on for
appendix during December.
Isaac PUMPHREY who was discharged from hospital in December, has now
retired on pension. Mr. PUMPHREY was formerly employed as Watchman with the
Company.
Herb PYNN who has been on the sick list for several weeks, is reported
feeling better.
Patrick SWEENEY, No. 6 Slope, who was confined to his home through illness
during the past several weeks, is feeling better now.

Deepest sympathy to the relatives of the late Victor HANN, who passed away
suddenly in his 48th year at his home, No. 6 Range, Bell Island, during the
month of December.


Ore shipments from Bell Island reached an all time high in 1955. A total
of 2,369,177 long tons were shipped away to markets at Sydney N.S., and
overseas. The markets to which the ore was shipped last year and the number
of tons, are as follows:
Sydney, Nova Scotia 451,436
United Kingdom 857,596
Germany 976,965
United States 21,000
Holland 62,180
TOTAL……….. 2,369,177

Congratulations to the boys at Scotia Pier, for their good work in getting
the ships loaded in record time. Since the beginning of this year activity
at the ore shipping Pier continues to be brisk.

The British Ore Carrier, “Baron MacLay” experienced stormy weather while
crossing the Atlantic, form England to Bell Island. The storms encountered
caused the ship to be several days overdue and as a consequence it was
necessary to take coal bunkers at this point.

Patrick McDONALD, No. 4 Slope, moved his family to a new home, which he
recently built at Georgetown, Conception Bay.

In spite of winter blizzards, the stork found its way to the homes of the
following employees during December.
Kevin HAMMOND, twins on Dec 24th
William KAVANAGH, a daughter on Dec 3rd
Daniel HYNES, a son on Dec 25th.

Former Bell Islander Fred CLARKE visited the Island in December, to attend
the funeral of his father, the late George CLARKE, Pensioner. Fred is now
residing in Toronto
The Provincial Government is presently conducting a water survey on Bell
Island, to determine the possibility of obtaining a water supply for the
incorporated town of Wabana. For this purpose, test holes are being drilled
at the west end of the townsite.

The annual meeting of the Bell Island Branch of Red Cross took place in the
C.L.B. Armoury on Dec 8th with Red Cross Commissioner for Newfoundland,
David G. DECKER, present. Election of officers for 1956 was held. The
following were elected:

Addison BROWN President
Mrs. A.R. PROUDFOOT Vice President
Mrs. H.P. DICKEY 2nd Vice President
Mrs. Bert STARES 3rd Vice President
Mrs. F.J. NEWHOOK Secretary
Mrs. Mary POWER Treasurer

The report for the past year was read by outgoing President, Mrs. Mary
POWER. A very successful year was experienced by the Branch.
The annual campaign for funds in 1955 proved a success. The proceeds
totaled $2,683.50
The usual activities of Red Cross were successfully carried out and a new
activity added – Swimming and Water Safety. A qualified swimming instructor
was engaged by the Bell Island Kiwanis Club, on the recommendation of
Commissioner DECKER. The Instructor took charge of the Kiwanis Swimming
Pool for two months last summer and conducted classes in Swimming and Water
Safety. A number of local boys and girls received the course of
instructions. Forty-five Red Cross diplomas were presented to children who
successfully passed the tests.

We are pleased to receive a Christmas Card from Constable “Hap” MACDONALD,
RCMP “Hap” was a member of the local detachment of the RCMP during the past
5 years and is now stationed at Saint John, N.B. He was an outstanding
member of the Bell Island Senior All Star hockey team. He starred as a
right-winger with the team in 1954-55. The Island team won the All
Newfoundland Championship in 1954 in the Section “B” Division and
successfully defended it in 1955. “Hap” expressed himself as pleased to
receive a copy of the “Submarine Miner” every month.


Greetings to the following Pensioners, on the occasion of their birthdays
in January:

Richard PARSONS, 87 on Jan 22
Alfred WHITE, 82 on Jan 31
James FOWLER, 77 on Jan 20th
William HEALEY, 74 on Jan 1sst
James COLE, 72 on Jan 26th
Charles NORMORE, 71 on Jan 19th
Ambrose DROVER< 69 on Jan 3rd
Michael McLEAN, 68 on Jan 6th




Neill AMADIO arrived on Bell Island in January to take over hockey coaching
duties at the Bell Island Arena. Since coming here he has been busy getting
the Bell Island All Stars in shape for the All Newfoundland Section “B”
championship playoffs. Neill was a member of the Grand Falls Senior “A”
hockey team last Winter. He received the most valuable player award in
1955.



…….More to follow



Coleen Murrin-Norcott-Pieczewski





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