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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
Mine explosion rocks Springhill
Broadcast Date: Nov. 1, 1956
On Nov. 1, 1956, the town of Springhill is rocked by a terrible explosion in the No. 4 colliery of the Cumberland mines. At least three miners are dead. Between 108 and 155 are still trapped 960 metres underground. The town responds with a crew of rescuers called "draegermen." Fears rise when it is reported that all communication with the trapped miners has been cut off.Mine explosion rocks Springhill
• "Draegermen" were named for the oxygen packs they wore. The packs were invented by a German company called Dräger that supplied breathing apparatus to mining and other industries in the 1930s. The 1956 explosion in Springhill was the first use of the apparatus in a Canadian rescue operation.Mine explosion rocks Springhill
Medium: Radio
Program: Assignment
Broadcast Date: Nov. 1, 1956
Guest(s):
Host: Bill McNeil
Duration: 0:56
Last updated:
Jan. 6, 2005
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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.
Did You Know??
Robert Power MD. a student of Medicine at the University of Dalhousie during the Springhill mine disaster. He was the Doctor on call to go into the mines (or maybe a doctor who volunteered his time) to go into the mines to rescue the miners from this disaster. he went into the mine 3 times to rescue men he knew to be alive. He is a war veteran, and retired Doctor living in Ottawa. (Also my Dad). There has been publications as to his heroism during this event. As I was born in 55, and not privy to the articles. I can't give you anymore details. However, it is worth checking it out and and speaking to a man who was inthe mines. His name is Dr. Robert Power.
Submitted by: LynnBlumas