Location: Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada

Surnames/tags: Canada Mining Disasters Disasters


Disasters | Mining Disasters | Canada Mining Disasters |Springhill Mine Disaster
Contact: Canada Mining Disasters
Contents |
History and Circumstances
- Date: 21 February 1891
- Location: Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Type: Coal Mine Explosion
- Victims: 125
- Cause: A fire caused by accumulated coal dust
Miners
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Rescue Efforts
Within 15 minutes of the explosion, which occurred shortly after noon on Saturday, men entered the No. 2 Slope and began bringing the injured and dead to the surface. They were placed in boxes and carried to the surface by use of the machinery used for hoisting coal. This continued for several hours. However, due to the heavy smoke, there were fears that there were more fires and another explosion could happen. The Underground Manager, James Simpson, agreed to give up the search for two hours. They left the pit at 6 p.m., having recovered 44 bodies and 16 injured. When they returned to search, they worked through the night. Many of the rescue team were overcome from the smoke and noxious fumes and needed to be rescued themselves. Rescue efforts throughout that afternoon and evening were made easier by the lack of fire in No. 1 and No. 2, but the scale of the disaster was unprecedented in Nova Scotian or Canadian mining history. After 5 days of recovery, the remaining 2 victims were removed from the debris. In total 125 men died and dozens were injured. The subsequent relief funds saw contributions come in from across the country and the British Empire, including Queen Victoria.
Results and Findings
The Inquiry began on the Monday following the explosion. It was presided over by Coroner Dr. C. A. Black of Amherst with 12 jury members. Evidence was examined and a adjournment was made until Mar 10 in order to have time to collect all the facts possible. After questioning many witnesses and looking at all the evidence, the explosion was deemed an accident. It was determined that sufficient gas detectors in working order had been present in the two collieries; however, the ignition source of the explosion was never determined, despite investigators having pinpointed its general location. The mine was well managed and there was no neglect on the part of the owners or management.
Sources
- https://archive.org/details/storyspringhill00nbgoog/page/n118/mode/1up
- https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Springhill_Mine_Disaster_1891k
- https://archives.novascotia.ca/meninmines/fatalities/results/?Search=1891&fieldSelect=yeard
- https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=aeu.ark:/13960/t18k7qz47&view=1up&seq=6
- https://archives.novascotia.ca/meninmines/fatalities/results/?Search=1891&fieldSelect=yeard
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