50 Years Ago

[Youngblood]

Metro - Springhill honours heroes of the ‘bump’

Springhill honours heroes of the ‘bump’

CHRISTOPHER GOODING, AMHERST DAILY NEWS
October 24, 2008 02:04

Fifty years ago, and 13,000 feet underground, Harold Brine wondered if he would ever see his young family again.

Brine was one of 12 miners trapped in a small pocket inside the No. 2 coalmine in Springhill, after the devastating Oct. 23, 1958, upheaval known as the “bump” trapped 167 working men. Seventy-five died.

As the days rolled on, food ran out and their lamps died, and Brine’s thoughts turned to his family above.

Would he be remembered?

“I don’t remember anything about the bump. I was two-and-a-half (years old) then,” Bonnie Cole, Brine’s daughter, said yesterday. She spoke as residents unveiled a plaque that commemorates the event on its 50th anniversary.

“Dad always said he thought down there if his daughter would remember him.

Yesterday, residents remembered those who went back underground to rescue the living, and the volunteers who tended to the injured, the bereaved and the needy.

“What those guys did was wonderful,” Brine said in front of where the No. 2 colliery once stood. “We were trapped in a little hole and they didn’t give up.”

Families, survivors, miners and friends stood against a biting cold wind yesterday to witness the tragic anniversary and remember the tales of loss and courage.

Bill Kempt, whose father Gorley was trapped shoulder-to-shoulder with Brine in the No. 2, said it was a miracle when his father was found alive, but the joy was overshadowed by mixed emotions.

“I realized I was standing with a lot of people who were finding out their (fathers) were dead,” Kempt said.

“Dad was very grateful to survive and be saved, but there was guilt to his own good fortune.”

Springhill exhibited an act of heroism that day, Kempt said, but many of the men and volunteers who sprung into action have played down their roles, and Kempt hopes that on this anniversary they will allow themselves to be held in high regard, not only for saving his father, but for the courage to make sure no one was left behind.

“It’s the miners’ code; you would do it for me,” Kempt said. “None of them treated themselves like heroes, but they are heroes."

[Trainer Monkey]

As Ive caved for many of a year,I have a natural affinity for miners. Living in WV has only strengthened it.
When your down there,you allways try not to consider the idea of things going wrong.
Because if something goes wrong,it will be very hard to make it right.

[Youngblood]

That's interesting TM, didn't know you were a miner. I made this thread when I saw the article, not really knowing anything of it prior, other then some of our members, like Deanrw for eg...are from Nova Scotia and might have some personal relatability to it.

[Deanrw]

I know very well of the Springhill Mining Tragedy and a few others that followed it.I have been to Springhill many times and the people there remember it so well. The terrible impact it had on everyones life in that small town.

They are a hardened, tough and determined folk in that town. Nearly every resident suffered some sort of personal loss due to that mine collapse. They marched forward though, but will always remember the past.

[Trainer Monkey]

That's interesting TM, didn't know you were a miner. I made this thread when I saw the article, not really knowing anything of it prior, other then some of our members, like Deanrw for eg...are from Nova Scotia and might have some personal relatability to it.

Not a miner, a caver,close but different.
Your still,deep under ground,and if something goes wrong,it goes very wrong. So you develop an affinity for miners

[wesrman]

Theres not enough money in the world to make me go in one of these things. Id have a fit the whole time.

[Trainer Monkey]

Theres not enough money in the world to make me go in one of these things. Id have a fit the whole time.

A no s there I was story
We thought we had found a cave
I was soloing and went in to the lower level,thats when I saw the rotten support beams