‘It is an emotional thing for all of us”

No. 12 Mine centennial to take place in New Waterford Tuesday

When the long whistle blew at the No. 12 Colliery in New Waterford on July 25, 1917, it marked the worse disaster in a coal mine in the island’s history, with 65 lives suddenly lost.

On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., New Waterford will mark the No. 12 Mine centennial with an emotional event to include a children’s lantern parade and concert by the Men of the Deeps at the Collierylands Park

“These were people just living their lives and going about their daily work with families just like us,” said Charlotte MacDonald, program co-ordinator with Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s recreation department, which is co-ordinating the event.

MacDonald admits it was emotional for her as well as others who helped organize the event, as many had connections to the mine.

“It comes home to you when you’re building these kinds of events to mark these occasions. Every member of the planning committee at some point has had a lump in their throat thinking about what that must have been like.”

She said it’s important this event be commemorated.

“We want those affected and the entire community to know we haven’t forgotten those folks.”

On July 25, 1917, the mine whistle blew at No. 12 Colliery in New Waterford at 7:30 a.m. An explosion had rocked the pit, 2,000 feet below the surface. A total of 25 men were rescued but 65 perished in the blast.

As well as the CBRM’s recreation department, the Coal Dust Days committee and New Waterford special events committee took part in organizing the mine centennial as well as Bobby Burchell the Canadian representative for the UMWA, local clergy and the Men of the Deeps.

MacDonald said residents from all areas of the CBRM are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s event.

“The No. 12 Mine centennial event is an integral part of the CBRM’s Canada 150 celebrations, recognizing important events that bring our residents together as a community.”

MacDonald said 65 local children will walk from the back of the park to the monument, each carrying a lantern representing one of the miners who lost his life in the explosion.

Many of the children have a connection to the event, including some with an ancestor who lost their life in the mine that day. All are from the coal mining town of New Waterford and all volunteered to take part.

“Each child will deliver a lantern to the monument as the name of a fallen miner is called,” MacDonald said.

“It will be a beautiful memorial.”

A memorial ceremony featuring dignitaries will follow, with a concert from the Men of the Deeps leading into a social with refreshments.

”We are hoping people will come out and pay tribute to these folks, to remember,” she said.

However MacDonald said the event is also a celebration of the survivors from that day.

“They had 65 lives lost but did save lives that day as well.”