Masonic History In Nanaimo

On 3 May 1887 there was a major explosion in the Esplanade No. 1 coal mine in Nanaimo.

150 coal miners died as a result of the explosion, including three members of Ashlar Lodge No. 3:  Samuel Hudson, aged 37, who was overcome by fumes after going back into the mine after the explosion in search of injured victims; Malcolm McLEAN, aged 30 and Archibald MUIR, aged 53.

The Memorial to those who died in the Esplanade Mine Explosion.
The Memorial to those who died in the Esplanade Mine Explosion stands on Milton Street near Esplanade in Nanaimo.
The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears. The Memorial commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.
The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears. The Memorial stands on Milton Street near Esplanade in Nanaimo and commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.
The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears. The Memorial commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.
The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears on Milton Street near Esplanade in Nanaimo. The Memorial commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.

Samuel Hudson, Malcolm McLEAN and Archibald MUIR are buried in Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo.

Grave of Samuel Hudson in Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C.
Samuel Hudson grave, Bowen Road Cemetery
Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C. Both men died in the Esplanade No. 1 mine explosion on 3 May 1887. (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)
The graves of Malcolm McLean left) and Samuel Hudson (right), Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C. Both men died in the Esplanade No. 1 mine explosion on 3 May 1887. (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)
The grave marker of Archibald Muir, placed by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 in May 1887, Bowen Road cemetery, Nanaimo (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)
The grave marker of Archibald Muir, placed by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 in May 1887, Bowen Road cemetery, Nanaimo (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)
Malcolm McLean grave marker, Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C. (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)
Malcolm McLean grave marker, Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C. (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)

Here are some sites with more information on the Esplanade Mine Explosion:

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