For many years ore was loaded into ships at two docks - the Dominion Pier and the Scotia Pier. Ore had been brought to the former over the old "main line'' and to the latter over the old "Scotia line." As part of the reorganization that went on during the 1950's all shipping operations were concentrated at the Scotia Pier. This picture shows a modern ore carrier being loaded at this pier by the very efficient conveyor belt system which carried ore from a nearby storage area or "pocket". This "pocket" had been gouged out of the steep cliff that lay behind the pier. Having been carried across the island on the conveyor belt system, the ore was stored in stockpiles on the cliffs above the pier to be dumped into the "pocket" as required. It was from the Scotia Pier that sailed the last ship to carry ore from Bell Island.
