Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1993

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Sir Alexander Galt Museum

Scope and Content

1 VHS t-120. Length: 65 minutes.don livingstone talks about coal mining.see attached for summary of the tape. Discusses the size of No. 8 Mine - there were 15 to 20 miles of underground tunnel worked at any given time. Every day the tunnels were inspected by the fire bosses. Talks about the various shifts and job duties of each one. - Talks about miners' lanterns and other lighting methods. - Talks about mining technology - punching and cutting machines. Explains why No. 8 was difficult to mechanize. - Talks about various jobs in the mines - loaders, drivers, timbermen, fire bosses, ventilation men, etc. - Explains the difference between lump, egg, stocker, and slack coal. - He is the 6th generation in his family to work in the coal mining industry. He started at Gait Mine No. 8 in 1939 following his graduation from university. He started underground because to become a mine manager, it was a required that he have 3 years of underground experience. He describes the duties of his first job as a timberman. - Talks about the underground conditions, including heaving of the floor, and that No. 8 closed because it was difficult to maintain. - Talks about some of the mining equipment. - Talks about gas in No. 8 and in Shaughnessy, and safety lamps. - Talks about the different shifts in the mines. - Talks about his mining career and the various positions he's held. - Talks about the union, different ethnic groups in the mines, social activities (specifically the annual picnics and sports teams). - Relates a story about his father, who while driving to work at No. 6 mine would pick up miners along the way and would usually end up with about 12 men inside and outside his vehicle before getting to 9th Ave North. - Relates a story about a No. 8 miner who was crushed when the timbers collapsed. Also mentions the death of a miner at Shaughnessy. Tape is blank for approximately 1 minute. The interview is repeated up to the point where Mr. Livingstone talks about coal types. - Talks about timbering in No. 8 mine. - Talks about water in the tunnels.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19971067007

Collection

Archive

Less detail