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.](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Esplanade_Mine_Explosion_Site-memorial-ashlar3-1662x1247.jpg?resize=648%2C486)
![The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears. The Memorial commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Esplanade_Mine_Explosion_Site-memorial-ashlar3-1662x1014.jpg?resize=648%2C395)
![The site of the Esplanade Mine explosion as it now appears. The Memorial commemorates those who died in the Esplanade Mine explosion.](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Esplanade_Mine_Explosion_Site-memorial-ashlar3-1662x958.jpg?resize=648%2C374)
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.](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Samuel_Hudson-grave-Bowen_Road_cemetery-ashlar3-PA261834.jpg?resize=648%2C864)
![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)](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Malcolm_McLean-Samuel_Hudson-graves-Bowen_Road_Cemetery-ashlar3-1662x987.jpg?resize=648%2C385)
![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)](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Archibald_Muir-grave-Bowen_Road_Cemetery-ashlar3-1662x2269.jpg?resize=648%2C885)
![Malcolm McLean grave marker, Bowen Road Cemetery, Nanaimo, B.C. (photo by Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Historian)](https://i0.wp.com/www.ashlar3.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Malcolm_McLean-grave_marker-Bowen_Road_Cemetery-ashlar3-1662x2507.jpg?resize=648%2C977)
Here are some sites with more information on the Esplanade Mine Explosion:
- Hallmark Society – Victoria
- City of Nanaimo – South End Heritage Walk (note: PDF)
- Nanaimo Information
- Nanaimo News Bulletin
- Nanaimo Info Blog
- Islander – Times Colonist
- Heritage BC
- Wikipedia
- Coal Watch
- MordenMine.com has a list of all Vancouver Island miners killed in industrial incidents between 1874 and 1899. (note: PDF)
Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?