The town of Cumberland on Vancouver Island came into being in the late 1800s. Most of the residents were there to work or support the new coal mining operation. By 1924 the population had grown substantially with a Chinatown population of about 2000, the second largest Chinatown on the west coast of North America.
These historic buildings have the Cumberland Museum attached on the right. You would be surprised if you went into the museum to find that you can go downstairs into an actual coal mining area to see just how it was done.
I’m sorry that I can’t explain how the equipment below was used in mining the coal, but it makes sense to assume that the wagons were filled with coal and taken out of the mine on underground railway tracks.
The machinery below is a mystery to me, but it must have been used to extract the coal or load the wagons. Perhaps there is a mining expert out there who can help us with this. Please feel free to comment and offer any help you can about how the coal mining was done.
Coal mining is a very dangerous job, not only because of the danger of fire or collapse of the mine shafts, but because of the high risk to a miner’s health. The coal dust was particularly bad for the lungs, as were the gases released by the underground excavating. From time to time the dust combined with the gases suddenly ignited. Methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide combined with nitrogen, and hydrogen sulphide were common threats. Open pit mining, while not pretty, is much safer by comparison.
I shudder when I think of going underground into a small space. Miners spent long hours down there, working in a dangerous job under terrible conditions just to make enough money to feed their families.
In August of 1922, an explosion in one of the mine shafts killed 13 people, and in February of the following year another explosion killed 33 more (both white and Chinese).
After the depression, many of the Chinese workers either went back home or went to Duncan or Nanaimo to go logging instead of mining. Desperate times, for logging was not much safer than mining, but at least they were out in the fresh air.
Very interesting post, Anneli. Before going off to college, my father worked in the coal mines of West Virginia for two years. I’m happy that after my sister and I were born and he graduated college, he took a safe, desk job.
Great photos! I especially love the first one!
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I’m so glad he took that desk job!!!
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The thought of being underground like that is scary. We once visited a coal mine and when the guide turned off his light we couldn’t see a thing. I also went into a mine that was 2 miles deep. Won’t do that again.
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I would die of anxiety. I’ve often thought about trapped miners and how dark it must be.
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I agree. I visited an underground cave in Cancun, Mexico recently…scary. I felt so much better when I was above ground.
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I enjoy caves if they’re larger. I think a mine would be too claustrophobic for me. This is an interesting bit of history, thanks. 🙂
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It is an interesting bit of history, and I’m glad it is just that – history. Those mines must have been worse than awful to work in.
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Wow, I can’t believe I missed this when I was there! So interesting! We have the copper mines here . . . .
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It was years before I discovered that this museum actually had something unique and interesting to show. It’s very humble above ground and fascinating below ground.
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Terrific history with photo tour. Thanks!
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I only wish I could have supplied more info about those buildings..
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Interesting background. Well worth a visit.
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I was quite impressed. I mean, I was impressed by the museum visit.
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I am adding this to my list of things to see when I make my annual trek to Whistler this summer!
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It’s a tiny town but it has a lot of history.
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I like looking at gears and machinery, Anneli. There should be someone who will have knowledge of this equipment. So interesting and always felt bad for the men and boys who went into the coal mines.
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A terrible life to work under the ground like that.
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It would be horrible! Sad that they had a need for jobs, income and not many choices. It would be almost like working with insulating attics, that fibreglass is rough on hands and also lungs.
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