Schaffer will be attending the ceremonies to honour her uncles. Similar conditions probably caused two explosions at Bellevue in 1910, including one that killed 30 miners, and another explo-sion at Hillcrest in 1926. The present challenge!). Mine inspectors, a coroner's inquest, and mining-company engineers came to different conclusions about the cause of the disaster. They know that there was a methane gas fire and then a coal dust explosion, but what was the spark that ignited the methane gas has never been determined.". The mine had sat idle for two days due to overproduction, but on that morning 237 men descended underground to resume work; only forty-six emerged alive. The mine disaster had a devastating impact on the town of about 1,000 people. A deft examination of the coal mining industry in an Alberta just on the cusp of entering the Great War, The Devil’s Breath is a startling recollection of heroism and human courage in the face of overwhelming calamity.

The disaster at the Hillcrest Collieries mine on the morning of June 19, 1914, provides a poignant illustration of the dangers of coal mining. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. and we ran across this monument to workers killed in a mining incident in 1907. (full review), "Well-illustrated, written with an eye for detail, and comprehensive, The Devil's Breath is not just a disaster story, but a history of Canada's coal industry and an invitation to go deep under the ground where calamity awaits. I hadn’t heard about this mining incident, which To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). coal dust in the air, likely caused the explosion at Hillcrest, widely regarded as a well-run mine. On Friday June 19, 1914 an underground pocket of methane gas ignited, which set off a larger coal-dust explosion resulting in the worst mining accident in Canadian history and at the time the world's third worst mine disaster. That he does admirably." We reserve the right to close comments at any time. This year we toured the Mount Pleasant cemetery I south Edmonton She never got to meet her uncles.

“Stephen Hanon has done much more than write the most comprehensive history of the Hillcrest Mine disaster-he has set the tragedy in its historical context. A number of events are being held to mark the Hillcrest Mine Disaster 100th Anniversary in Crowsnest Pass, including a re-enactment of the funeral procession and a commemorative concert with James Keelaghan, Connie Kaldor and Tim Hus. Canada’s worst coal mine disaster occurred on 19 June 1914 at Hillcrest, Alberta. ", "Hanon did not set out to write a new story set in the context of Hillcrest, but to clear away the coal dust and give us a good look at the original story. Level Bridge. The effects of the disaster were: "It was traumatic," she said. On a warm spring day in June of 1914, two hundred and thirty-five men went down into the depths of the Hillcrest mine, found in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass.

mostly known as a recreational space, 100 years ago, it was an industrial hub, hosting Audience Relations, CBC P.O. an extra air shaft, government looked. The 1910 Coal Creek and 1914 Hillcrest Mining disasters jump to mind. -- A mighty explosion today entombed 250 miners employed in Mine 20 of the Hill Crest Collieries Limited. After some googling, I found an interesting piece by the, So we have both a proximate cause (oily rags ignite) and root causes (company Richly sourced and amply illustrated, The Devil's Breath fills a void in the published history of this country.”, "Superbly written, "The Devil's Breath: The Story of the Hillcrest Mine Disaster of 1914" is highly recommended and informative reading." So, he didn't get a paycheque before he was killed," said Jean Schaffer, who only knows the three brothers through a family photo album. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. All Books Explosions were not … apparently occurred on the south side of the river, near the present-day High It was the only way the community could deal with the scale of the disaster, according to local historian Belle Kovach. "There was a Royal Commission of Inquiry, and also a Coroner's Inquest, as well as police investigations. Mining deaths were common at the turn of The cause of the blast was never determined, but one theory was a worker set it off lighting a cigarette, despite Hillcrest Collieries rules against carrying matches. Rethinking Alberta's essential services legislation, Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations. You can also view our catalogues on Issuu. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. "What happened here was terrible, ... terrible and tragic for the families, but the changes that were brought into mine safety really did save lives in the future.". "After this, every mine had it's own rescue team trained, ready with the self-contained breathing apparatus to get in there right away, because you don't have very long," Field said. 235 men had entered the Hillcrest Coal Mine for the morning shift, but 189 did not make it out alive. Hillcrest Mine Disaster. "A lot of these families had many children and when they lost their primary wage-earner, they were destitute. Only forty-six would make it out alive. An explosion ripped through the mine. small coal mines (200 by one count), lumber mills, and brick yards. It's the deadliest mining disaster in Canada's history. There is a nice song about the Hillcrest Disaster: While Edmonton’s river valley is presently mostly known as a recreational space, 100 years ago, it was an industrial hub, hosting small coal mines … full review, (780) 432-9427 - phone(780) 433-3179 - fax. with my wife (after 20 years, finding new things to do for date night is a It's the deadliest mining disaster in Canada's history, and local residents gathered today to remember the loss.

Hillcrest mine disaster remembered 100 years later, Hillcrest Mine Disaster 100th Anniversary, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. The largest coal-mining disaster in Canadian history, the fateful tale of the Hillcrest Mine is finally captured in startling detail by Steve Hanon. "He had only worked there two or three weeks, and they paid by the month. Mill Creek Ravine walking path is actually an old rail bed used to bring products up

While Edmonton’s river valley is presently Browse by Author. At the time it was the world's third worst mine disaster. Comments are welcome while open. Browse by Title