In September and November 1942, ships in Bell Island’s harbour and Scotia Pier itself were attacked by German U-boats, with the sinking of four merchant ships, the loss of 70 men, and the destruction of the pier. Plaque inscription in English German U-Boat Attacks at Bell Island in 1942ĭuring the Second World War, Newfoundland’s Bell Island, a strategically vital iron-ore processing and shipping centre in Conception Bay, was targeted by German U-boats seeking to disrupt the supply of iron ore to Canada’s steel mills. Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada In the weeks that followed, the governments of Newfoundland and Canada worked together to install anti-torpedo nets around the ore-loading piers and increase patrols in Conception Bay. The 1942 attacks resulted in damage to the Scotia pier, the sinking of four ships, and the deaths of Allied sailors, bringing the war home to Newfoundlanders. U 513 and U 518 disrupted the supply of iron ore to Canadian and British steel mills by targeting this strategically significant mining and shipping centre, which was vital to the war effort. Historical importance: Commemoration of the attacks by German U-Boat at Bell Island during the Second World War.Ĭommemorative plaque: Bell Island Community Museum, Wabana, Bell Island Footnote 1 German u-boat attacks at Bell Island, 1942ĭuring the Second World War, this island was the target of two deadly torpedo strikes by U boats. ![]() German U-Boat Attacks at Bell Island in 1942 were designated as a national historic event in 2019. Moses, Canada Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, PA-188854
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