Sunshine Mine disaster sign

Identifier

1.03918

Title

Sunshine Mine disaster sign

Scope and contents

Item is a photograph of an Idaho (U.S.A.) sign about the men who lost their lives in the Sunshine Mine disaster on May 2, 1972. Ninety-one men lost their lives in the north Idaho mine when an underground toxic fire got out of control. The image is a snapshot of the sign that reads "SUNSHINE DISASTER ON MAY 2, 1972, FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE MINE. CARBON MONOXIDE, HEAT, SMOKE AND GAS SPREAD SWIFTLY THROUGH THE TUNNELS SEVERELY HAMPERING RESCUE EFFORTS. 178 Miners were working at various levels. 85 made it out safely. Seven days later two miners were found alive. On May 13, the last of the 91 victims were brought out. This was the country's worst hardrock mine disaster since 1917. The Sunshine, largest silver mine in the nation is a mile deep and has 100 miles of tunnels."

Date

May 1979

Spatial Coverage

Idaho

Subject

Sunshine Mine Disaster, Kellogg, Idaho, 1972

Names

Sunshine Mining Company

Physical description

1 photograph : col. slide (Ektachrome) ; 35 mm

Statement of Responsibility

Basil, Steven (photographer)

Rights

Rights Holder

Copyright held by Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

To request permission for use or copies please contact the UBCIC Library and Archives.

General notes

Title based on contents of the image

Date is between May and June 14, 1979.

Last Modified

August 15, 2024