It's surprising how many people in Nanaimo don't know about the mines. Probably not a big selling feature for real estate.. I worked with a guy who bought a new house near Divers lake, (this was in the Free press back then) he could hear water running in his basement. He got curious one day and took a sledge hammer to his basement floor. Underneath was an air shaft to a coal mine. If you check building codes for the mine areas concrete floors and driveways have to be reinforced with steel mesh to avoid collapse.
I lived in Nanaimo in the 1960s to 1980s. I knew a guy whose house had to be demolished after an unknown shaft opened up under his house. This was in the Divers Lake area.
@@JS-jh4cy I wouldn't be surprised! They are under a lot of things in Nanaimo. Have you been to Divers? Coal dust is suspended in the water making it black. The thing is the records were lost in a fire nearly 90 years ago and no-one really know where the shafts actually are.
I lived on Northfield Rd in the 80s, never found an entrance to the mine then, but recently an entrance was found by the highway onramp a couple hundred feet from our yard. SCARY I totally would have went in there as a kid.
My great great grandfather George Robinson was engaged in 1854 to manage the Hudson's Bay Company's coal mine in Nanaimo in 1854 in Staffordshire, arriving in Nanaimo late in 1854. He got involved in local politics and his contract was not renewed in 1859 but he was responsible for some of the holes under Nanaimo.
@@tombevilockway8754 My dad's biography of George Robinson lists a Joseph Bevilockway on the Princess Royal from London to Victoria so yes our great great grandfathers were on the same ship.
Nanaimo was the source for coal to Victoria and even Portlands' huge mansions, no central heating. The foundation of some millionaires off the island. And of course no safety laws and probably few records kept or turned over.
Interesting stuff. My grandpa's brother died in the big explosion. My Grandma's parents ran the newspaper during the union fighting and lived in extension. She had stories of getting her front door shot at all the time.
I notice several comments about too many people in Nanaimo, don’t come here etc. Well, I am pretty sure most of these people ‘moved’ to Nanaimo themselves, so…. The only thing that is constant folks…. …is change.
I'm puzzled, why no mention of the British royal navy who found the coal deposits for use as fuel for their coal powered warships in the Pacific. The natives knew some locations but, for pitch.
Interesting. While collapse of former mine workings is an obvious concern, methane produced from coal or former tailings piles can be of greater concern.
So far it's just been a problem with cracked foundations here. No reports like they have in Newcastle in Great Britain where the mines "breathe" due atmospheric pressure changes, filling basements with noxious gases and causing unhappiness for the residents when they go downstairs for something and pass out.
Will be interesting to see what happens to the town of Merritt eventually if it sinks into the part that has been burning for years.
5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1
The very mines my granddad worked in. One too many deaths made him quit and move to Vancouver. A shame that the mines are coming back to haunt the locals.
3 bedroom water damaged lead paint house without vents that might also fall into a mine shaft and cant be renovated cus its on heritage land or whatever. $7,000,000 and $20k yearly land payments. Than go work at McDonald's to pay for it cus there is literally nothing going on whatsoever on Vancouver island. The most exciting thing to ever happen here is seeing the change from winter to summer.
Those working don't go all the way to Gabriola, maybe 1/2 way, if that. There are shafts in downtown Nanaimo (just south of the mall) that connect with shafts on Protection Island through the workings under the harbour. There's a story that's where the water and electrical supplies for Protection are placed, don't know if that's still true. There's also connections from the shafts near the Departure Bay ferry terminal under the channel to workings under Newcastle Island. There's at least 5 shafts on Shaft Point (surprise, surprise). The mines shut down due to economic conditions (competition with oil) not because they ran out of coal.
Nanaimo used to be such a beautiful place to live back in the 1900s when harewood was still mostly farming land . Now our beautiful islands 🏝 are turning into $hitty cities 💩 with horrible traffic .
Another strong reason to avoid Nanaimo as a place to live. Violent crime in this area is reported on almost a daily basis in Victoria and other regional newspapers.
Maybe do some retakes when you say the wrong dates instead of a little fumble correction. Now we have incorect dates in our heads for no reason. And bro dont mention something really cool and interesting like the riots and shootings over protest about the mines than say "look it up" like bro, were literally watching a video for the history of that right now, Dont tell me to to look it up myself instead of just explaining it for 30 seconds while were all already here and you know the history
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_coal_mines_and_landmarks_in_the_Nanaimo_area Also I have seen a map with all the mine tunnels on it. It was alarming how many tunnels there was and how far they went.
Bonus for the Chandler Encroachment near Northfield. All records have been lost, so we just have a hatched area on the map labelled "Here Be Dragons, err, coal workings, approximately".
It's surprising how many people in Nanaimo don't know about the mines. Probably not a big selling feature for real estate..
I worked with a guy who bought a new house near Divers lake, (this was in the Free press back then) he could hear water running in his basement. He got curious one day and took a sledge hammer to his basement floor. Underneath was an air shaft to a coal mine. If you check building codes for the mine areas concrete floors and driveways have to be reinforced with steel mesh to avoid collapse.
I'm pretty sure I was nieghbour to that guy. Was thaton Colins way? I think I was 10 yrs old..
@@denwaontheisland3555 It's probably the same place, I remember it was just off of Labieux road.
I wonder if it's the same guy I know! If only I could remember his name. That was a long time ago.
I'm learning English by watching your videos, thank you!
Don’t say tooken, it’s taken.
I lived in Nanaimo in the 1960s to 1980s. I knew a guy whose house had to be demolished after an unknown shaft opened up under his house. This was in the Divers Lake area.
Oh that's interesting, are there shafts driven under diver lake?
@@JS-jh4cy I wouldn't be surprised! They are under a lot of things in Nanaimo. Have you been to Divers? Coal dust is suspended in the water making it black. The thing is the records were lost in a fire nearly 90 years ago and no-one really know where the shafts actually are.
I lived on Northfield Rd in the 80s, never found an entrance to the mine then, but recently an entrance was found by the highway onramp a couple hundred feet from our yard. SCARY I totally would have went in there as a kid.
There two or three shafts just off Northfield road that I know of personally from hiking around that area in the 60s.
My great great grandfather George Robinson was engaged in 1854 to manage the Hudson's Bay Company's coal mine in Nanaimo in 1854 in Staffordshire, arriving in Nanaimo late in 1854. He got involved in local politics and his contract was not renewed in 1859 but he was responsible for some of the holes under Nanaimo.
Crazy! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
What year was that in? 1854?
I’ve always believed Nanaimo was a hole. Now you’ve confirmed my theory.
My great great grandfather had to have been on the same ship with your family.
@@tombevilockway8754 My dad's biography of George Robinson lists a Joseph Bevilockway on the Princess Royal from London to Victoria so yes our great great grandfathers were on the same ship.
Thanks - I had no idea Nanaimo was a mining region.
That was definitely the origins of the city. Now, just a remnant of the past.
Basically the reason Nanaimo was started..
OMG no way, you have decade old Nanaimo City Council footage?!?!?
Thanks for the interesting history. I had no idea about the mines.
I believe the footage came from old city Council meetings
Nanaimo is big enough. The whole island is getting over populated. If you do move here try to convince you doctor to come with you please.
Nanaimo was the source for coal to Victoria and even Portlands' huge mansions, no central heating. The foundation of some millionaires off the island. And of course no safety laws and probably few records kept or turned over.
Interesting stuff. My grandpa's brother died in the big explosion. My Grandma's parents ran the newspaper during the union fighting and lived in extension. She had stories of getting her front door shot at all the time.
Hey,I appreciate your program. I happen to be moving out there soon. I'll be checking out some of these places you kindly mention
Check out the latest video about Nile Creek
Great video. It would be cool to have a door in your basement that led into a hidden chamber… the ultimate man cave. 😜
This is the same situation in many parts of the UK especially in Yorkshire.
All very wonderful but we're getting overrun, overwhelmed and overpopulated...
@@davidascher1801 you should make room for others
I notice several comments about too many people in Nanaimo, don’t come here etc.
Well, I am pretty sure most of these people ‘moved’ to Nanaimo themselves, so….
The only thing that is constant folks….
…is change.
Yup yup yup
Also part of ladysmith has possible mines
I'm puzzled, why no mention of the British royal navy who found the coal deposits for use as fuel for their coal powered warships in the Pacific. The natives knew some locations but, for pitch.
I was waiting for you to mention it, Graham. What took you so long!
Edmonton Alberta has many old coal mines under the city.
Really!?!
@@Nanaimore they used coal in the early years.
Interesting. While collapse of former mine workings is an obvious concern, methane produced from coal or former tailings piles can be of greater concern.
So far it's just been a problem with cracked foundations here. No reports like they have in Newcastle in Great Britain where the mines "breathe" due atmospheric pressure changes, filling basements with noxious gases and causing unhappiness for the residents when they go downstairs for something and pass out.
@Bashkir097 you are eight. UNfortunately unlike the UK, there is no awareness of this potential problem here in Canada.
Not all coal mines have methane in them.
this place reminds me of the game night in the woods
Will be interesting to see what happens to the town of Merritt eventually if it sinks into the part that has been burning for years.
The very mines my granddad worked in. One too many deaths made him quit and move to Vancouver. A shame that the mines are coming back to haunt the locals.
Don't forget part of Cumberland hear royston has coal mines
3 bedroom water damaged lead paint house without vents that might also fall into a mine shaft and cant be renovated cus its on heritage land or whatever.
$7,000,000 and $20k yearly land payments. Than go work at McDonald's to pay for it cus there is literally nothing going on whatsoever on Vancouver island. The most exciting thing to ever happen here is seeing the change from winter to summer.
might be a little tough to get insurance
He called nanaimo friendly , that was kinda funny.
@@tomc7155 maybe you’re not friend material.
🎵 Feeling hot, hot, hot! 🎵
What about the mine shafts under nanaimo going to Gabriola Island
Those working don't go all the way to Gabriola, maybe 1/2 way, if that. There are shafts in downtown Nanaimo (just south of the mall) that connect with shafts on Protection Island through the workings under the harbour. There's a story that's where the water and electrical supplies for Protection are placed, don't know if that's still true.
There's also connections from the shafts near the Departure Bay ferry terminal under the channel to workings under Newcastle Island. There's at least 5 shafts on Shaft Point (surprise, surprise).
The mines shut down due to economic conditions (competition with oil) not because they ran out of coal.
@Bashkir097 yes oil 🛢 was cheap in the early days
nickname for Nanaimo back in the day coaltown
Nanaimo used to be such a beautiful place to live back in the 1900s when harewood was still mostly farming land . Now our beautiful islands 🏝 are turning into $hitty cities 💩 with horrible traffic .
i saw on the news today the town of Crowsnest is having a vote whether to open up the mine again. Very short sighted on part of Alberta's politicians.
@@andiman45 I saw an otter today.
@@Nanaimore I sawed a log this morning..
Another strong reason to avoid Nanaimo as a place to live. Violent crime in this area is reported on almost a daily basis in Victoria and other regional newspapers.
Did you hear they’re hiring on Fox News?
Maybe do some retakes when you say the wrong dates instead of a little fumble correction. Now we have incorect dates in our heads for no reason. And bro dont mention something really cool and interesting like the riots and shootings over protest about the mines than say "look it up" like bro, were literally watching a video for the history of that right now, Dont tell me to to look it up myself instead of just explaining it for 30 seconds while were all already here and you know the history
fo-sho-bro.
Easy idea: dont move here lol its too expensive already
I thought you were gonna say he became known as chief Whatchgonnagimme.
Friendly
Calm
Beautiful
😂😂
Why didn't you go into the history instead of "glossing over each one?"
Sounds like an opportunity for you to make a video of your own! Thank you for watching and commenting 😊
It's a 6 minute video.
@@RTeBokkel I like you lol
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_coal_mines_and_landmarks_in_the_Nanaimo_area
Also I have seen a map with all the mine tunnels on it. It was alarming how many tunnels there was and how far they went.
Bonus for the Chandler Encroachment near Northfield. All records have been lost, so we just have a hatched area on the map labelled "Here Be Dragons, err, coal workings, approximately".