Interview with Jack Ostle

Abstract

Audio recording and transcript of Jack Ostle's 1979 interview with Bernard McNicholl for the Coal Tyee History Project. Ostle shares memories from his time working in the coal mining industry in the Nanaimo area. He talks about living in Chase River and his father's job as a coal miner. Ostle started in the mines when he was 17 years old and he worked in the Northfield and the #10 South Wellington Mines. He describes aspects of his different jobs, what it was like inside the mines, and safety conditions. He also talks about transportation, entertainment, and the red-light district in Nanaimo.