Silver Islet

Silver Islet

 Silver Islet lies off the tip of Sibley Peninsula, across the harbour from THUNDER BAY, Ont. In 1868 prospectors found nuggets of pure SILVER, and from 1869 to 1884 shafts were sunk deep beneath the rock, which rose only 2.5 m above the water, and $3.2 million in silver was taken. A virtual town was erected on the rock, which is only 24 m in diameter, along with massive docks and a lighthouse. The mine shut down in 1884 when its shafts became flooded. The forces of nature have since obliterated the island's buildings.