|
2042 Queen Street, P.O. Box 923
Westville,
Nova Scotia
B0K 2A0
|
Nova Scotia Tourism Region : Northumberland Shore
Description From Owner:
- Coal was discovered in quantity here in 1866 and that year the Acadian Coal Co. began mining operations.
- Two years later the Intercolonial Coal Co. also moved in. First called Acadia Village or Acadia Mines until Westville came into use in 1868.
- By 1875 the population was 2,500 with three companies in operation, production peaking in 1910. In 1873 an explosion at the Drummond Colliery killed 60 men and boys. By 1959 only 100 miners were working here.
- With permission from 'Nova Scotia Place Names' David E. Scott 2015
Address of this page:
http://ns.ruralroutes.com/Westville
Have something to say about Westville?
Tell us, and we'll tell the world!
The First Major Mining Catastrophe
Nova Scotia's first major mining catastrophe was at the Drummond Colliery in Westville in 1873, when 60-70 men and boys were killed by a fire and explosion.
The mine employed about 350 men and boys and used pickaxes and gunpowder to extract coal.
Flames roared 427 metres (1,400 feet) in the air and explosions hurled timber, stones and gear from smaller pits adjacent to the main shaft up to a quarter-mile into nearby woods, forcing evacuation of the area.
The horror began when a miner ignited a normal charge of gunpowder which released an unusually high amount of gas, which ignited and continued to escape causing subsequent explosions, this continued for 36 hours.
Over the following five days the mine was flooded and filled with debris and gravel until it was hermetically sealed.
Pictou County Military Museum
has more than 12,000 Canadian military artifacts from the beginning of military units to the present day.
The museum is at 2020 Queen St., Westville, admission is by donation
Quick Search
