Interview with Bill Crawshaw
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Issue Date
1979
Editor
Authors
Crawshaw, William
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Subject
Abstract
Audio recording and transcript of Bill Crawshaw's 1979 interview with Myrtle Bergren for the Coal Tyee History Project. Crawshaw reflects on and shares stories from his 50-year career as a coal miner in both England and Canada. Descended from generations of miners, Crawshaw started work in an English coal mine when he was just 12 years old. In 1920, he moved to Nanaimo, where he joined two of his wife's brothers, and he started working for the Western Fuel Company. In the interview, Crawshaw talks about the differences between English and Vancouver Island coal mines, and he also talks about union activities in both places. He gives many details about working in various Nanaimo and Cumberland coal mines, including different roles, working conditions, and rates of pay. He describes some of the risks of coal mines, including exposure to sulphur and "the black damp" and he explains how mules were used in the mines. He goes into detail about how miners used tags to sign out lamps and indicate their presence in the mine, and he also shares the story of how Daisy Waugh was electrocuted in the Number 1 Esplanade Mine.