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Both
labour unions and mine management worked to improve
safety, but there were serious
accidents in the Crowsnest Pass
coal mines. In 1902 at
Coal Creek (Fernie) 128 men were killed
in an explosion, and in all, this mine took over 160 lives. At
the International Coal and Coke Company in Coleman, a 1907
accident claimed three lives.
Bellevue experienced an explosion
in 1910 that killed 30 men, and the
Hillcrest Mine Disaster of
1914, Canada's worst, resulted in the deaths of 189 mine
workers. Another explosion at the Hillcrest Mine in 1926 was as
bad as the first, although only two men were in the mine (and
they were killed). McGillivray Creek Coal Company at Coleman
also had an explosion in 1926, and 10 men died. Michel had its
share of accidents: seven men were killed in 1904; 12 men in
1916; 3 men in 1938; and 15 men in 1967 - the last of the
Crowsnest Pass mine disasters. There were other fatal accidents
in the mines, and over 500 lives were lost over a period of less
than forty years.
When the coal industry was profitable, everyone was happy.
The mine companies sponsored dances, picnics and sports. Ethnic
societies assisted widows and children, and sponsored community
events. Music was a big part of Pass lives, along with sports.
When prices dropped, men faced layoffs and tensions were
exacerbated. There were several bitter strikes.
Confrontations
between unions and management closed mines for months. When
times were tough, the men might only work a couple of shifts per
week, and they had large families to feed.
Hunting, fishing and
farming supplemented incomes in the bad times.
The last operating underground coal mine, Coleman Collieries,
ceased operations in 1979. However, coal is still being mined in
the Elk Valley by Fording Coal Ltd. Tours of the open pit mine
operations are available through the Sparwood Chamber of
Commerce each year during July and August.
Bibliography of the Crowsnest Pass
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