Remembering lives lost in BC's worst mining disaster

No. 1 Esplanade Mine explosions took place 135 years ago

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 2, 2022 1:15 PM

Summary

Starting at 5:55 pm on May 3, 1887, two explosions occurred 260 meters below sea level in what was known as the city's largest mine, No. 1 Esplanade Mine. The blast was so forceful it rocketed through the underground shafts for almost a kilometer. The underground fire burned for two weeks. Because of such damage, the last of the bodies could not be recovered until July and unfortunately seven men never were recovered and remain somewhere beneath the Nanaimo Harbour to this day. This tragic accident took the lives of 150 miners, creating a massive impact to a community of approximately only 2,000 people at the time. Forty six women lost their husbands, 126 children lost their fathers and the mine lost 25% of its employees.

The explosions of the No. 1 Esplanade Mine are known as the worst mining disaster in British Columbia's history and second worst industrial accident in Canada (the mining disaster of 1914 in Hillcrest, Alberta killed 189 miners). A jury blamed the explosion on the firing of an unprepared and badly planted charge that ignited accumulated gas fuelled by coal dust.

To mark the anniversary and honour the memory of the lives lost, flags located at City of Nanaimo facilities will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday, May 3.

Visit the walk-through coalmine exhibit in the Nanaimo Museum to learn more about Nanaimo's coal mining history and this tragic accident. Find more information on this award-winning exhibit here: www.nanaimomuseum.ca/permanent-exhibit/the-coal-mine.

Link to Strategic Plan: n/a

Key Points

On May 3, 1887, 150 miners lost their lives, leaving a massive effect on the community.
Flags will fly at half mast on May 3 in memory of the lives lost in the No. 1 Esplanade Mine disaster.
A memorial plaque to remember the miners who died from the explosions stands in place of the site of the No. 1 Esplanade mine on Milton Street (1151 Milton Street).

Quotes

"We will all take a moment on May 3 to remember the many lives lost in this tragic event."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

In 2015, Council passed a resolution to lower the flags at all City of Nanaimo facilities to half-mast on May 3 in memory of the lives lost in the Nanaimo coal mining disaster of 1887.

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

media.requests@nanaimo.ca

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Email Address

What you were doing

What went wrong

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.