Flags around Nanaimo are at half-mast today to remember one of the worst mining disasters in Canada’s history.
Under the Nanaimo Harbour, 260 metres below sea level, a network of coal-mining tunnels was wracked by explosions just before 6 pm on May 3, 1887. Most of the miners were trapped and died from poisonous gases, some writing farewell messages to their loved ones in the dust on their shovels.
In total 150 miners died in the disaster, and the fires in the tunnels burned for two weeks. Seven bodies were never recovered and remain under the harbour.
The deaths were a massive loss to a community of approximately 2,000 people at the time. Forty six women lost their husbands, 126 children lost their fathers and the mine lost 25 per cent of its employees.
Since 2015, Nanaimo marks the day annually by lowering flags at all city facilities.
A memorial plaque to remember the miners who died from the explosions stands in place of the site of the No. 1 Esplanade mine at 1151 Milton Street.
