Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial at the WA Museum in Kalgoorlie WA
Frank McADAM
Age at Death43
Date Of Death7 May 1897 - Reg 473/1897 Accident occured on the 1 May 1897
OccupationMiner
Western Mail, Fri 7 May 1897 Page 26 THE MOUNT—CHARLOTTE MINE DISASTER.
Coolgardie Mining Review, Saturday 3 April 1897,
Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial at the WA Museum in Kalgoorlie WA - Photo Paul Doust
Name Of Mine On Which Last Employed
Mt Charlotte GM, Mount Charlotte, Western Australia
Diagnosis or cause of accident
This was the first great mining disaster in the Goldfields. While preparing charges, a candle fell into a box of dynamite and detonators which started to explode. The men ran for and had to climb 300ft of ladders to the surface through billowing dynamite fumes. Though badly affected, the men were able to walk to their camps. The men began dying overnight and the next day. The inhalation of dynamite fumes has the effect of filling the lungs with liquid, making breathing terribly difficult, if not causing suffocation.
Frank McAdam recovered and went to work for several weeks before being readmitted into hospital and dying on the 7 May.
Those killed were Charles MILSOM, Frank McADAM, John MURPHY, William McGAUCHIE, John WICKCROFT and Ken WILSON.
Place Of Burial
Kalgoorlie Cemetery, Western Australia
Submitted by
Shari-Lei McLean - Volunteer
MSW
Single
Cause of Death
Mine Accidents
Other Information
Story:
