Vancouver Coal Company
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, we’ve digitized a small selection of inquests and inquiries from 1872 to 1934, found in series GR-0431. These were chosen to reflect the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to B.C. – their living and working conditions, and their unfortunate accidental or unusual deaths. They range from a woman working in a brothel in Barkerville who died of natural causes to three sawmill workers who died from malnutrition. Learn more.
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.
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any mine I have ever worked in but it also gives off more gas than any mine I have ever worked in. I hold a certificate as a “certificate manager” and have held such certificate for years. To Mr Eberts A mine giving off gas is the cause as a “firing mine” The the Coronier – There was no cross cut in our stall. Most of the cross cuts extend to the roof. I do not know the thickness of the stoppings or how they are filled in. Some are made of brick and stone. Some in the slope are five feet thick and filled in with dross. I think the dross was tamped. Am not aware whether the [?conversion] from the shots will settle the dross or not. The stoppings are supposed to be filled up to the top and they are examined I suppose afterwards to see whether they leak.
The Mr M McGregor – The slope is the only place I have heard of as giving much gas but I did not consider it dangerous so long as the current of air was good. The stoppings sere always looked after and kept up to the roof. Taken upon oath and acknowledged this 25th day of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight seven before me } Joe Martell W Wymond Walkem Coronier
Robert Hirdmarsh – Miner. Nanaimo being duly sown saith: I am a miner of occupation and have been mining ten years. Am now twenty four years of age. I began mining in the old country. Have mined four years in this country, three of which I have worked with the Vancouver coal Company. I remember the third of May last