Introduction

The Onset

The Chinese Strikebreakers

Imported Strikebreakers

Traitors

The Fallout

The Onset

Carbon monoxide detector used by early mine inspectors. 4672 courtesy of FDHS

On June 15, 1912, Oscar Mottishaw and Isaac Portrey discovered pockets of combustible gas in the Extension Number Two mine. These "gas committee" members had been hired independent of Canadian Collieries to look for such signs of danger in the mines. Rather than close the mine until fresh air could be pumped into the affected areas, Canadian Collieries disregarded the inspectors’ warnings and fired Mottishaw and Portrey. When the company manager discovered that Mottishaw had found new work in another Canadian Collieries mine in Cumberland, he ordered that the inspector be discharged from that position also.¹

Since 1884, 373 men had died as a result of gas explosions in the Vancouver Island mines. The most recent explosion had occurred at Extension in 1909. With the ever-present threat of another disaster, miners realized the importance of the mine inspectors’ work, and were understandably angered by Mottishaw’s dismissal. The newly formed United Mine Workers Association (UMWA) District 28 rallied the miners into action. On September 16, they declared a "holiday" to protest Mottishaw’s firing and demand his return.²

"Extension. Coal Shaft in No. 2 Mine, CA. 1908" BCARS E-02767

Canadian Collieries retaliated by locking out the two thousand workers. Fellow miners in Extension joined the "holiday" protest and were also barred from returning to work. The coal company would not back down until the miners agreed to sign two-year contracts under the same terms as their previous contracts.

Next Page