Not forgotten

Cape Bretoners pay their respects on 100th anniversary of mining disaster

Hundred gathered at Colliery Lands Park in New Waterford on Tuesday to remember those who lost their lives in the worst mining disaster in Cape Breton’s history.

On July 25, 1917, an explosion in the No. 12 Colliery mine in New Waterford caused 65 miners to lose their lives. On Tuesday evening, 100 years later, hundreds gathered from near and far to pay their respects and reflect on how the tragedy affected those living in the town of New Waterford.

“I feel very privileged to be here,” said Hugh MacArthur, a former miner who worked in No. 12 Colliery until it was closed because of a fire in 1973 that killed his friend, Earl Leadbeater.

“It brings a lot of memories. It’s a sad day, but we’re fortunate to come here and sit and watch and celebrate,” said MacArthur.

The ceremony also brought people from afar to New Waterford. Tom McNeil now lives in Hamilton, Ont. McNeil lost his grandfather, great-grandfather and great-uncle in the mine explosion at No. 12 Colliery.

“It’s special (to be here). My mom was only eight weeks when this (explosion) happened to her father, so it’s an honour for me to be here,” said McNeil.

McNeil, his wife Sharon McNeil and their family traveled from Hamilton, specifically to watch the centennial ceremony.

“It’s amazing that people still think of it and still want to celebrate their lives,” said Sharon McNeil.

“It shows it,” added Tom McNeil, as he gestured towards the hundreds of people watching the ceremony. “For a small town, (look) how many people are here to see them.”

McNeil’s daughter, Shuana Rau, was also at the event with her son, Sam.

“It’s been really important to be here. My dad has really enjoyed taking my two sons around and having them see the memorial and the town he grew up in,” said Rau.

The centennial ceremony was lead by Bobby Burchell, the retired Canadian representative of the United Mine Workers of America Liberal MP Mark Eyking and CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke also gave speeches to commemorate the event.

In honour of those who lost their lives, 65 local children participated in a lantern parade near the end of the ceremony, at dusk. Starting from the back of the park, the children walked to the monument, which commemorates the event, and laid roses. A memorial ceremony featuring dignitaries followed, with a concert from the Men of the Deeps leading into a social with refreshments.

CHRISTIAN ROACH/CAPE BRETON POST Dozens of children wore plastic “miners’” hats, shone lights and laid roses at the monument in Colliery Lands Park on Tuesday. The children were part of the 100-year ceremony to remember the disaster in No. 12 Colliery in New Waterford that took the lives of 65 miners.

CHRISTIAN ROACH/CAPE BRETON POST From left, Sharon McNeil, her husband Tom McNeil, their daughter Shuana Rau and her son Sam Rau. Tom McNeil lost his grandfather, great-grandfather and great-uncle in the mine explosion at No. 12 Colliery 100 years ago. The family travelled from Ontario to be at the ceremony remembering 65 miners who lost their lives.

CHRISTIAN ROACH/CAPE BRETON POST The names of family members lost by Sam Rau and the rest of his family that travelled from Ontario to be in New Waterford are pictured on the back of his T-shirt.