Page 65 - Joe Nugent, Inspector of Mines, Ret'd

ISSUE : Issue 70

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1996/6/1

balance in the 6 West district of the mine when huge pressure, violent pressure shook the whole pit. He said he knew exactly what it was from his previous experience in mining and his education in mining. He was well educated in mining. He had taken international correspondence courses that were given in 1900. And he had a set of books--as a matter of fact, I still have the books here. So at about that time the coal mine shook, the explosion occurred into one of the working areas in the 6 West district. That's where they were at, in a partially driven cross-entry between two working rooms. They have a room where men work here and men work here and then they drive a hole up. It was called a cross-entry or a cross-cut, and that is for ventilation. At that time they didn't know exactly where it happened but it caused such a terrific explosion. And then down in the southwest district, that's the district below, they were also badly affected and many of them died. In all there were 62 men died in the explo? sion. There were three boys who went down into the mine, arbitrarily went down on their own, and they died in the gases. Now, it was a brave thing to do, but fool? hardy. Although (they did) manage to get a few miners out before they were caught in there. So (my grandfa? ther's) experi? ence in the explo? sion and after the explosion is that he had been knocked down. He had been knocked to the floor. And complete dark? ness, absolute darkness, you couldn't see a thing because the Leather Works by John C. Roberts Bags Buckets Visit Workshop and Store at • INDIAN BROOK • CAPE BRETON ISLAND BOC 1 HO On Cabot Trail between Baddeck & Ingonish DAILY 9-5 SUNDAY 10-5 (l'ay thru Oct Telephone (902) 929-2414 ...the Gem of Victoria County lamps that they had did two things--the lamps were called a clanny lamp--their pur? pose was for testing for gas and also pro? vided the minimum amount of light for them to work. So the miners would sometimes hang their lamp on a post with a spike to keep it (still). Any vibration and they went out. So he was absolutely in darkness, and he was hurt. He said he had a blow to the head. The only thing that he remembered--he said he knew it was an explosion and it hadn't reached his area yet, where he was at. So he had his can of water. He tore the sleeve off his shirt, and he wet that with water to keep it on his mouth. Now that didn't provide a lot of oxygen, but it did af? ford some pro? tection. He also knew that the after-damp gases that result from an explosion-- carbon monoxide burnt gases, methane and coal CO QUILTS raft blLop!?'?;' . • • HANDCRAFTS ANTIQUES & SOUVENIRS COLLECTABLES The traditional warmth of handcrafted Mar? itime giftware, with unique gift suggestions and curious mementoes of your visit • Open Dally, June to September • ENGLISHTOWN (JERSEY COVE) Route 312 • (902) 929-2992 just 1 km. north, across the Englishtown Ferry Sew Inclined r A Workshop 1 [ IN THE Glen J Barbara Longva "We make period costiunes." • Custom Orders • Sewing Services • Designer Clothing & Accessories Tarbot, Cape Breton open 7 days a week, 9 - 5 Showcase of work on display (902) 929-2050 'GIANT MacASKILLMusBUMi with Craft Shop and Confectionery/Snack Shop CLOTHING FURNITURE PHOTOGRAPHS INFORMATION GENEALOGY OPEN: 7 Days a Week • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.l 2.5 km. from ENGLISHTOWN FERRY on Route 312 PIPER'S TRAILER COURT Featuring: Fully Licensed Dining Room Laundromat Mini-Mart Ocean-Side Campsites Swimming Pool 929-2233 929-2067 Indian Brook on the Cabot Trail (Halfway between Baddeck and Ingonish) From either direction on the Cabot Trail, plan for comfort and welcome Piper's Old Manse GUESTHOUSE with Bed and Breakfast , OPEN YEAR ROUND ' Welcome the Bluenose to St. Ann's Bay! August 9,10, 11 65

Cape Breton's Magazine