Hugh Henderson, 1959

dc.date.accessioned	2011-08-15T14:42:32Z
dc.date.available	2011-08-15T14:42:32Z
dc.date.created	[ca. 1958]
dc.date.issued	1958
dc.identifier.other	11.04.0384
dc.identifier.uri	http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/23359
dc.description	b&w photograph
dc.description	Good condition photograph--furling.
dc.description	Boarder's society secretary, Hugh Henderson (far left) hands black cloaks to several young gentlemen, who are likely ushers for the Halifax symphony orchestra performance at SMU, Nov. 24, 1959 (in efforts to raise funds for the Springhill mining disaster).
dc.description	The town of Springhill, N.S. was devastated by 3 mining disasters (1891, 1956 and 1958), 2 of which are the worst mining disasters in Canadian history. When explosive coal dust (a fine powder produced during the mining process) and methane gas get trapped inside coal deposits it makes for a dangerous outcome. Consequently, in 1891, 125 men and boys were killed and in 1956 in number 4 pit: 88 miners were rescued and 39 were killed. The third of these disaster happened on October 23, 1958. In number 2 pit (the deepest coal mine in North America extending over 14,000 ft.) a “bump” (a term used to describe an underground earthquake) shook the mine and the town above. Ultimately 174 miners were trapped. In parts of the mine the ceiling was compressed into the floor above and contact with miners below 7,800 ft. was cut off. Large pockets of methane gas limited how far the rescuers (or Draegermen: men, usually miners, who were trained for mine rescues) could get to the miners. The gas was so heavy it smothered the rescue equipment use to aid in the rescue efforts. Also, the damage from the explosion allowed for limited space when rescuing the trapped miners, there was barely enough room to crawl through and sometimes the rescuers had to dig their way to the trapped men. It took the rescuers from October 23, 1958 until November 1, 1958 to get as many miners as possible. By the end of the rescue 100 men were pulled from the mine with 74 miners dying in the mine. The mine was deemed too dangerous to continue operation and was closed in 1959. The mine remains closed today but is used for geothermal energy for various industries in the area.
dc.description.provenance	Submitted by Craig MacEachern (craig.maceachern@dal.ca) on 2011-08-15T14:42:32Z No. of bitstreams: 0	en
dc.description.provenance	Made available in DSpace on 2011-08-15T14:42:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0	en
dc.format.extent	6 cm x 8.5 cm
dc.subject.other	Students
dc.subject.other	Henderson, Hugh
dc.subject.other	Halifax Symphony Orchestra
dc.subject.other	Fundraising
dc.title	Hugh Henderson, 1959	en_CA
dc.type	Image	en_CA