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Topic spans: 1956 - 1992
Springhill Mining Disasters
In the 1950s, the town of Springhill, N.S., was devastated by two of the worst mining disasters in Canadian history. An explosion in 1956 killed 39 miners, and another 74 died in the "bump" of 1958. Despite much hardship, the people of Springhill have shown a will to survive that is tougher than coal.
Photo inside a Springhill, Nova Scotia mine, from Wikipedia, is in the public domain.
7 television clips
3 radio clips
More blood on the coal in '58
Broadcast Date: Oct. 26, 1958
On Oct. 23, 1958, Springhill is revisited by tragedy. A massive "bump," similar to a small earthquake, shatters the No. 2 colliery of the Cumberland mines. There are 178 miners trapped 3,900 metres underground. Draegermen describe terrible chaos below and mine manager Harold Gordon is not hopeful about the possibility of survivors. After the rescue of 81 miners, the national media pulls out. Gordon says the death toll will stand at 93.More blood on the coal in '58
• A "bump" is a geological phenomenon that occurs in mines. It results when the removal of rocks and coal causes too much stress to the roof rock. The built-up pressure causes a collapse, which miners have described as the simultaneous meeting of floor with ceiling.• While bumps are common in mining operations, the Springhill bump was one of the worst recorded.
More blood on the coal in '58
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: Oct. 26, 1958
Guest(s): Ralph Gilroy, Archie Legierre, Phil Marsh
Host: Gordon Burwash
Reporter: Kingsley Brown
Duration: 5:35
Last updated:
Jan. 7, 2011
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10 clips in this topic . page
Radio
11:44
April 12, 1936
CBC's J. Frank Willis reports from Moose River, where three men have been trapped in an old gold mine for eight days.
Television
6:14
April 29, 1903
82 million tonnes of rock crash down on the mountainside mining town of Frank, Alta., leaving 70 dead.
More blood on the coal in '58 .
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Jan. 7, 2011.
[Page consulted on Feb. 15, 2012.]