HISTORY
MINING HISTORY
​FATALITIES RELATED TO MINING
​ACCOUNTS OF EMPLOYEE FATALITIES
DUE TO ACCIDENTS WHILE AT WORK
IN THE WABANA MINING OPERATION, 1895-1966
by Gail Hussey-Weir
Created 2023
Headstone in All Saints Anglican Cemetery #2, Conception Bay South, with the sad epitaph
"Killed at Bell Island"
NOTE: This page is a work in progress. Each fatality requires several hours of searching to find details of their death, so I am only able to do one or two a day, depending on the day. I am working alphabetically to try and ensure I do not miss anyone. The button at the bottom of the page will take you to the simple list of employee fatalities. If you know of a mining-related fatality who is not on the list, or if you have a photo to share, either of the person or their headstone, get in touch by email at historic.wabana@gmail.com.

The following are people for whom information is lacking. You can read what information I do have for them below, but if you have more specifics, please get in touch at historic.wabana@gmail.com:

Herbert Bruce, 18, of Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, died July 28, 1907 from being run over by stockpile car at No. 2 Slope: Not certain of his first name (may have been Hubert). No official vital statistics records or headstone found.

Isaac Crann, 24, of Trinny Cove, Placentia Bay, NL, died May 5, 1919 from hitting his head in a fall in Dominion No. 3 Slope: No official vital statistics records or headstone found.

​Edward Devereaux, 13, of Bell Island, died February 16, 1913 from a scalding accident of February 6th at the Scotia Company’s No. 2 Compressor: No official vital statistics records or headstone found.
​
Patrick Moriar[i]ty, of Conception Bay North, (believed to have) died March 3, 1908 from dynamite blast accident of February 29th in Scotia Company’s No. 2 Slope [No. 6 after 1920]: Not certain of first name (may be Bernard) or correct spelling of last name; do not know his age; not sure of home town or where he is buried; not sure of the exact death date. No official vital statistics records or headstone found.

Peter Wade, 30, of Conception Harbour (said to have) died July 10, 1913 at the General Hospital, St. John's from injuries received after being hit by ore car near Dominion Office [No. 2 Road]: His death was briefly mention in Bown's "Newspaper History of Bell Island" and appears in Hammond's list of fatalities, but nothing else was found and no official vital statistics records were found for a Peter Wade of this age or place.

More names may be added to this list as I progress with the accounts of fatalities below.
The Wabana Mines were relatively safe and comfortable when compared to other mining operations, yet fatalities occurred with amazing regularity. More than 100 men and boys, and one woman, lost their lives in various mining-related accidents over the lifetime of the mines and countless others were injured to varying degrees. This first list of fatalities refers only to those people who were mining company employees working either in the mines, at the piers, or in other parts of the operation when they were killed. It does not deal with those who died while commuting to or from work, or the 65 men lost when 4 ore carriers were torpedoed in The Tickle in 1942 (see buttons below), or those non-employees who were killed by ore cars while crossing the tracks or hitching rides on the cars crossing the Island. Those names (where known) and events will be added later. 

Invaluable resources in the compilation of accounts of employee fatalities include:

- the list of "Employee Fatalities at Wabana, Nfld. (1895-1966)" found in Rev. John W. Hammond's book, Wabana: a history of Bell Island from 1893-1940, ​Volume 1, 1982, pp. 25-27;

- "Newspaper History of Bell Island, 1894-1939" compiled by Addison Bown from Daily News​ articles on Bell Island;

- The Evening Telegram and Daily News accounts of accidents and deaths;

- Newfoundland & Labrador Vital Statistics and Parish Records;

- FamilySearch website of vital statistics, parish records, census records, etc.;

- Chebucto Grand Banks website records of cemetery transcriptions; vital statistics, parish records, census records, etc.;

- Find-A-Grave website.

If you have additional information about any of these fatalities, or know of other mining fatalities that are not included here, please get in touch at historic.wabana@gmail.com.
NOTES:

The following accounts are in alphabetical order by victim's surname for easier access.

Included information:
Name, date of death, and any personal information found with their death information, such as age, birth date, home town, parents/spouses names. 
Newspaper accounts, including details of the location of accident, type of accident, and probable cause; obituary if found; sources are given.

​Place of burial if known, headstone information and photo where available. NOTE: Where death dates differ in several documents, the date in the official Death Record is usually used, however, if a headstone is found, the date on the headstone is used.
​Patrick Abbott, 34, of South River, CBN, died on March 14, 1910 from dynamite blast accident of March 4, 1910 in Dominion Surface Pit:

Information from his Birth Record:
"Thomas Patrick Abbott, born August 15, 1875, at Springfield, South River, Port de Grave District, to Mary (nee Mclean) and John Abbott. This would make his age at death 34." 

Information from his Death Record:
Patrick Abbott, labourer, Roman Catholic, age 32, died March 14, 1910 at Bell Island; killed in accident; attended by Dr. Gouthro and Father Kelly; place of birth: Springfield; place of interment: Emerald Vale [Springfield, South River]. [I could not find a headstone for Patrick Abbott.]
 
From Bown, 1910, p. 31, col. 2, btm:
Patrick Abbott, John Morris, Joseph Porter, and Samuel Smith were injured on March 4 in a dynamite blast caused by miss-holes in the Dominion mines. Abbott died of his injuries 10 days later.

From Evening Telegram, March 5, 1910, p. 5, col. 7, btm:
East Wabana. Yesterday [i.e. March 4, 1910].
An accident occurred at the D.I & S. Co’s plant this afternoon about 4 o’clock, in which four men were slightly injured. Whilst stripping rock off the ore at one of the surface pits, one of the men named Porter struck the bottom of an old miss-hole, which caused it to explode. They were conveyed to the Company’s surgery where everything possible was done for them. Their names are: Patrick Abbott, John Morris, Joseph Porter and Samuel Smith.

From Evening Telegram, March 15, 1910, p. 6, col. 2, btm:
Injured Man Dies.
Patrick Abbott, one of the miners who was injured at Bell Island last week by an explosion, died of his injuries yesterday [ie. March 14]. The other men, John Morris, Joe Porter and Samuel Smith, who were injured at the same time, are getting better.
​Joseph Anthony, 43, of Bell Island (born Brigus Goulds), died on March 10, 1951 from striking his head against the ceiling of the mine slope while riding in tram car in No. 6 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
"Joseph Anthony, miner, Church of England, age 43 years, 7 months, died March 9, 1951 at Bell Island; killed in accident while at work in iron ore mines - struck head against roof while riding on tram car; attended by Dr. Templeman; place of birth: Brigus Goulds; place of burial: Bell Island.​"

From the Daily News, Monday, March 12, 1951, p. 3, col. 2, top:
Bell Island Miner Killed in Accident
Joseph Anthony, Bell Island miner, was accidentally killed Friday night while working in No. 6 Mine.
The man was employed at track repairing on the four o’clock to midnight shift. He was returning to the surface in an ore car when the accident occurred. For some unexplained reason, the man stood up in the car and he was struck forcibly in the head as he came in contact with the ceiling of the tunnel. He was killed instantly.
The 46-year-old miner was married and leaves a wife and 6 children, who reside at West Mines.
His headstone in St. Boniface Anglican Cemetery, Bell Island reads:

"Joseph Anthony, beloved husband of Sadie Anthony, accidentally killed March 10th 1951, aged 43 years."

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
William James Anthony, age 41, of Spaniard's Bay, died on March 2, 1954 from a fall of ground while face-cleaning roof of No. 4 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
"William Anthony, miner, Church of England, age 41, died March 3, 1954 at Bell Island; accidentally killed by fall of rock from roof of mine - multiple injuries; attended by Dr. Walter Templeman and Dr. Eagan; place of birth: Spaniard's Bay; place of burial: Spaniard's Bay." [His Death Certificate gives his death date as March 3rd, however, the headstone for William James Anthony in Old Anglican Cemetery, Spaniard's Bay gives his death date as March 2, 1954. No photo available.]
 
From the Daily News, March 4, 1954, p. 3, col. 6, top:
Miner Killed at Wabana
William Anthony, a 41-year-old married man, was killed in the Bell Island mines on Tuesday night [March 2]. Apparently, Anthony, who is a miner, was scaling the slope of the number 4 Mine when an accident occurred, details of which are still lacking here. However, he died of injuries sustained.
Anthony originally came from Spaniard’s Bay. Left to mourn their sad loss are a wife and 5 children. The usual investigation is being conducted.

From the Daily News, March 6, 1954, p. 7, col. 4-5, top:
Fatal Accident Claims Life of Wm. Anthony
A tragic accident occurred in No. 4 Mine on Tuesday [March 2] night at approximately 7:30, claiming the life of William Anthony, a 40-year-old native of Spaniard’s Bay.
As far as can be ascertained, the face cleaners were taking down some ground when Anthony was unfortunately hit by a small portion of the ground, while it was being removed from the roof.
The injured man passed away at the Company’s Surgery about four hours later as a result of the injuries sustained. He is survived by his wife, one son and four daughters.
Mr. Fred Gover, Chief Inspector of Mines for the Newfoundland Government, is presently on the Island investigating the circumstances of the accident....
His remains were forwarded to his home in Spaniard’s Bay Wednesday morning, where his funeral took place yesterday afternoon.
 
Information from a 1996 video-taped interview with Mrs. Theresa Anthony regarding the death of her husband, William; the interview was conducted by Darryl White for his 1997 documentary film, "Bell Island: Another Time, Another Place," which first aired on CBC TV on January 1, 1997 as part of Cabot Celebrations:
The Anthonys were living in Spaniard's Bay at the time of William's death. 36-year-old Theresa had 5 children, the eldest being a 12-year-old boy, and she was 8 months pregnant. William commuted to Bell Island every week to work in No. 4 Mine as a Face Cleaner. (After the ore had been blasted, the Face Cleaners would go in to remove any loose rock that was overhead to make the area safe for the muckers, who shovelled the iron ore into the ore cars. Face cleaning was one of the more dangerous jobs in the mines.) William would return to Spaniard's Bay every Saturday and go back to Bell Island on Monday morning. Before he left for Bell Island that particular week, he told his wife that he expected to lose his life in the mines. Two days later, on Ash Wednesday morning, her three older children were at school, the other two were still at home, and Theresa was washing her husband's work clothes from the previous week when the minister came to her house and told her that her husband had died at 11:00 the night before. After being hit by falling rock, he was taken to the Company Surgery where he regained consciousness long enough to say the names of his wife and children, and that there was another baby on the way, before dying a few minutes later.



​George William Antle, 22, of Victoria Village, Carbonear, died on March 16, 1908 from dynamite blast:

Information from his Death Record:
“George W. Antle, age 22, died March 16, 1908. His place of death was given as Victoria Village and his cause of death was blank." [There was no indication of when the accident happened.]
​
Information from Findagrave website:
“George William Antle, born 7 August 1885 in Carbonear. Died 16 March 1908 (aged 22) at Bell Island. Son of John (1853-1910) & Dorcas Antle. Killed in mining accident caused by dynamite blast."

From Bown, 1908, p. 24, col. 3, btm to p. 25, col. 1, top:
The death of George Antle on March 16, 1908 was the 10th mining fatality that year. Antle of Victoria Village had his eyes blown out by a dynamite explosion and succumbed to his injuries. The Companies’ Surgeries were filled at that time with maimed or badly injured miners, some with eyes blown out or hands blown off, and a public outcry arose to stop the slaughter. Letters of indignation appeared in the Press. Government Engineer, T.A. Hall, and Inspector Sullivan of the Nfld. Constabulary visited the Island on March 3 and conducted an inquiry into the explosions. They were blamed on the new type of dynamite called ‘rippite.’ In looking over the list of fatal accidents, one cannot help noticing the youth of some of the victims. Boys were employed in the mines at that time at a very tender age. It was said in those years that the cemeteries around Conception Bay were filled with victims of mining accidents on Bell Island.
His headstone in Victoria United Church Cemetery, Carbonear reads: 

"George William, beloved son of John and Dorcas Antle, died March 16th 1908, aged 22 years & 7 mos."

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
Thomas Edward Barnes, 51, of Harbour Grace, died on October 15, 1918 from overturned ore cars in Scotia's No. 3 Slope:
 
Information from his Birth Record:
"Thomas Edward Barnes was born June 14, 1866 in Harbour Grace, NL, to Jane and Ebenezer Barnes." 

Information from his Marriage Record:
"Thomas Edward Barnes, age 26, married Clara Bell Thistle, age 20, at Boat Harbour, NL, on December 28, 1893."

Information from his Death Record:
"Edward Thomas Barnes, Engineer, age 51, born Harbour Grace, died October 16, 1918 in a mining accident at Bell Island. He was attended by Dr. Carnochan and Methodist Clergyman W.R. Butler."

From Bown, 1918, p. 56, col. 2, btm:
Edward T. [sic: Thomas Edward] Barnes of Hr. Grace was accidentally killed on Oct. 16 while engaged in construction work with the N.S. Company, leaving a wife, two daughters and three sons, one of whom, Lester, was with the Nfld. Regiment.
 
From the Evening Telegram, Oct. 18, 1918, col. 5, mid:
A Fatal Accident
Quite recently a fatal accident occurred at Bell Island, by which a man named William [sic: Thomas Edward] Barnes lost his life. Deceased, who was a middle aged man, was engaged trimming cars and while coming up No. 3 Slope with a string of seven cars, something gave way causing the cars to overturn, considerable of the contents falling on the unfortunate trimmer, killing him instantly and completely burying his body. The dead man was a native of Pilley’s Island, but for a number of years had been working at the iron isle. The Telegram desires to express its sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
His headstone in the United Church Cemetery, Bell Island, reads:

"Thomas Edward Barnes, beloved husband of Clara B. Barnes, died October 15, 1918, 51 years."

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
​

​George Bishop, 27, of Kelligrews, CBS, died on May 11, 1919 from falling off a boiler at Dominion Company's Power Plant:
 
Information from his Death Record:
"George Bishop, age 27, died May 11, 1919 at Bell Island, from falling from scaffold, attending physician Dr. Carnochan; attending clergy Rev. N.G. Vivian, Church of England; birth place: Kelligrews; burial Foxtrap."

From Bown, 1919, p. 58, col. 2, mid:
George Bishop of Kelligrews [was killed] in a fall from a boiler on the 10th [of May].
NOTE: Hammond’s list puts location of accident in "Power Plant," which would be at the Dominion Pier.
 
From the Evening Telegram, May 13, 1919, p. 6, col. 3, btm:
Killed at Bell Island.
George Bishop, employed by the D.I. & S. Co. at Bell Island, was killed there Saturday night [May 10th] through falling off a boiler on which he was working. The remains were conveyed by steamer to his late home, Kelligrews, yesterday [May 12? But probably 11th] for internment.
His headstone in All Saints Anglican Cemetery #2, Foxtrap reads:
​
In memory of George Bishop beloved brother of Effie Bishop who was killed by an accident at Bell Island on May 11, 1919, age 27 years.

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
Martin David Bolger, 50, of Portugal Cove, died on February 29, 1908 from dynamite blast in Scotia Company's No. 2 Slope [No. 6 after 1920]:
​
Information from his 1907 Marriage Record:
"Martin Bolger, 49, married Mary Fitzgerald, 30, on June 19, 1907 at Bell Island." [She was born Mary Murphy of (Portugal) Cove Road and was the widow of Patrick Fitzgerald of Bell Island, who, in 1902, was also killed in the mines.] His marriage record was the only official record found online for Martin Bolger who died in 1908. No birth or death record was found for him, and no headstone or burial information.

There were two men named Martin Bolger/Bulger in Portugal Cove in Directories of the 1890s and early 1900s. One was the Post Master, who seems to have still been alive in 1912. The other, Martin D. Bolger (the surname was sometimes spelt Bulger) was listed as a fishermen in early directories. There were so many mining accidents occurring in early 1908 that the Evening Telegram accounts tended to discuss several of them together rather than giving the details of one death or accident at a time. Thus, none of that newspaper's accounts gave Bolger/Bulger’s first name or age. Hammond incorrectly gave his first name as Michael in his 1982 list of mining fatalities. The main clue to his correct name came when his widow, by then Mary Seward, died January 10, 1918. The notice of her death in the Evening Telegram of January 12, page 5 noted that her "remains were removed to Bell Island" for interment, and that her first husband was "the late Patrick Fitzgerald who was killed while working in the mines at Bell Island. Her second husband was the late Martin David Bolger of Portugal Cove, who was also killed in a like manner."

From Bown, 1908, pp. 24-25:
The winter of 1908 was one of slaughter in the Wabana mines. For the period from Jan. 24 to Mar. 16, no less than ten fatalities occurred, and a staggering total of 74 accidents were recorded in two months. Most of the fatal accidents were caused by the powerful new explosive used by the Scotia Company known as Rippite. The most common cause of accidents was ‘miss-holes,’ or unexploded charges of dynamite which had failed to go off because of faulty connections or defective caps. Drillers working the next day ran into them with their machines, or the hand shovellers, who were using picks at that time, set them off, both with disastrous results... The Companies’ Surgeries were filled at that time with maimed or badly injured miners, some with eyes blown out or hands blown off, and a public outcry arose to stop the slaughter... On Feb. 29, the most serious accident occurred when three men were killed in explosions due to miss-holes. They were using picks while working in the Scotia Slope half a mile under the bay and about 200 feet below the ocean floor. There were six men in the group: Martin Bulger, James Smart, Bernard Moriarty, Thomas Eveleigh, B. Corbett and Jordan Deer. Bulger, Moriarty and Deer died of injuries from the blast. Martin Bulger, who was the foreman, was the son of Mrs. Lucy Bulger, who conducted a public house in Portugal Cove in the days of the Conception Bay packet.​

From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 2, col. 3, btm:
Latest Re Bell Island Accident
There were seven men in the room when the accident occurred. Bulger and Deer being quite close to the explosion and received the full force of it. … Both Bulger and Deer … died within an hour of each other Saturday night. [Sat. Feb. 29]
 
From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 6, top right:
The Bell Island Accident
…caused the death of two men, and wounded five others, one seriously. The accident occurred at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday [Feb. 29]... The place they were working was in No. 2 deep slope. [I believe this is the mine that was named No. 6 after the 2 mining companies merged in 1920.]

From the Evening Telegram, March 9, 1908, p. 6, top rt:
Supt. Sullivan Interviewed / Re Accident at Bell Island / Facts Regarding Recent Casualties – Investigation Still On.
Last evening we saw Supt. Sullivan and gleaned facts regarding the accidents which resulted in the death of Bolger and Deer at the NSSCo’s mines [date of accident not mentioned]… The Enquiry into the death of Bolger and Deer has not been concluded yet… The circumstances surrounding that casualty are pretty much the same as has already been published in the Telegram… Bolger took a pick to loosen it up and had only given three blows with it when the explosion occurred. All the men except one, Deer, were knocked down and lay unconscious for a while. Deer was thrown against the face opposite…and dazed for some minutes. On recovering…he found Evilly [Eveleigh] trying to crawl out. He helped him to his feet and conducted him out and gave the alarm. Bulger and Deer were close to each other and nearest the explosion.
 
NOTE: To see more about this and other accidents of 1908, click the button:
Robert Bowdring, 63, of Bell Island, died April 28, 1938 of burns from gas explosion of April 27, 1938 in No. 6 Mine:
 
Information from his Death Record: 
"Robert Bowdring, age 63, died at the General Hospital in St. John's on April 28, [the day after the accident], from extensive burns caused by a gas explosion in the iron mine; attending physician Dr. Nigel Rusted; burial Bell Island."
​
From Bown, 1938, p. 70, col. 3, btm to p. 71, col. 1, top:
Samuel Chaytor, 25, was killed in No. 6 Mine on April 27 by an explosion of gas. Others injured in the blast were Bernard Hedderson, Richard Singleton, Martin Moriarity, Charles Skanes, Robert Bowdring and his son, Frank Bowdring, and William Reynolds. All were taken to the General Hospital accompanied by Dr. W. Templeman and Nurse Hazel Smith. Robert Bowdring, 65, succumbed next day to burns.

From The Daily News, Apr. 28, 1938, p. 1:
​One Man Killed And 7 Others Badly Injured.
... Gas accumulation said to be cause ... One of the worst accidents for a number of years occurred yesterday morning at Bell Island in No. 6 Mine when, as a result of an explosion of gas in Room 77... seven men are now at the General Hospital suffering from burns and shock... Robert Bowdring, aged 65, with wife and eight children living at The Front...

From The Daily News, April 29, 1938, p. 3:
Another Victim of Explosion Passes Away. 
Robert Bowdring, aged 65 years, one of the victims of the explosion on Bell Island, passed away at the General Hospital last evening from injuries sustained. The deceased leaves a wife and eight children living on Bell Island. He was a member of the Mechanical staff. The body was taken in charge by Undertaker N.J. Murphy and will be forwarded to the Island for interment. The condition of the other victims of the accident at the Hospital is reported to be generally about the same.
Peter Bray, 23, of Harbour Grace, died Sept. 3, 1907 from fall of ground in Dominion No. 2 Slope:
 
Information from his Death Record:
"Peter Bray, Machinist, age 23, accident at Bell Island; born Harbour Grace; burial Church of England Cemetery Harbour Grace." [No headstone found online.]

From Bown, 1907, p. 23, col.3, top:
Peter Bray, a driller in No. 2 Dominion Slope was instantly killed by a fall of ground on September 2 [sic: Sept. 3]. The remains were taken to his home at Harbour Grace. It was said to be the fourth mining fatality in a month.
 
From the Evening Telegram, September 3, 1907, p. 8, col. 1, top:
Man Killed At Wabana by Falling Ore, Special to Evening Telegram. East Wabana, today [Sept 3rd].
A fatal accident occurred on the D.I. & S. Company’s plant here at 7:45 a.m. today [Sept 3rd] when Peter Bray, a driller in No. 2 Slope, was instantly killed by falling ore. Bray, with his helper, had just finished setting up his drill when two face cleaners who were in the act of cleaning down some loose ground which had been shaken from a side shot the previous night, warned Bray and his companion it was about to fall and to stand aside. Bray’s companion moved away in the right direction, but Bray it seems instead of doing this went under the falling ground which fell on him, causing instant death. He was at once taken to the surgery, where the Company’s physician was in attendance, but found life extinct. He is a native of Harbour Grace, where his body will be conveyed for interment this afternoon.
 
From the Evening Telegram, September 6, 1907, p. 4, col. 2, top:
Bray’s Death. Mr. Hall, the Government Engineer, went to Bell Island on Wednesday to hold an enquiry into the death of Peter Bray, who was killed at East Wabana on Tuesday morning [Sept. 3rd]. We understand that Bray was working under the roof of rock which was intended to be removed by dynamite, and that a man was clearing the upper surface of it of loose stone and debris. This man dislocated a stone which proved to be the key to the roof, and which, when loosened, caused the mass to begin to give way and shortly afterwards to fall. He warned the men underneath, and all got out of danger except Bray, who in some unaccountable way remained, although warned by his companions, and although debris was falling from the roof. Eventually the roof fell, and a mass, some three-quarters of a ton in weight, struck his foot and broke his ankle. He was stricken down and the spinal cord was broken in three places, causing his instant death.
John Brazil, 53, of Spaniard's Bay, NL, died on June 11, 1938 from being run over by ore car at No. 6 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“June 12, 1938, Place of Death: Bell Island, Accident in Mine, age 58 [sic: 53?], Dr. Templeman, Born & Buried Spaniard’s Bay." [No headstone found online.]
 
From Bown, 1938, p. 71, col. 1, mid:
John Brazil of Spaniard’s Bay, aged 53, was run over by an ore car near No. 6 Mine on June 11th and died of his injuries at the Surgery.
 
From the Daily News, June 13, 1938, p. 3, col. 6, top:
Bell Island Worker Dies as Result of Mine Accident
Hit by Loaded Ore Car Amputation Leg Necessary and Man Dies from Shock
Saturday [June 11] morning, between 10 an 11 o’clock, John Brazil, aged 53 years, married, of Spaniard’s Bay, lost his life at Bell Island as a result of a loaded ore car going over one of his legs, the leg having later to be amputated, and death from shock ensuing.
The deceased had been for over 30 years working at Bell Island [so since about 1918] ore deposits and, Saturday morning, was in No. 6 Mine, where his work was. In some way, a loaded ore car hit him and went over his body. He was rushed to the surface and taken to the Dominion Steel and Coal Company’s surgery, where Doctors Lynch and Templeman were in attendance. It was found necessary to immediately amputate the leg and he never recovered from the shock.
Yesterday morning, the remains were conveyed by boat to Spaniard’s Bay, where he is survived by his wife. Mr. Leo Brazil of the dispatching office of the railway is a cousin.

From The Fishermen's Advocate, June 17, 1938, p. 1, top:
Bell Island Worker Killed.
Saturday morning, between 10 and 11 o'clock, John Brazil, aged 53 years, married, of Spaniard's Bay, lost his life at Bell Island as a result of a loaded ore car going over one of his legs, the leg having later to be amputated and death from shock ensuing.
Herbert Bruce, 18, of Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, died July 28, 1907 from being run over by stockpile car at No. 2 Slope:
 
[The Hammond fatality list has his name as Hubert. No official records were found for him under either name.]

From Bown, 1907, p. 22, col. 3, btm:
Herbert Bruce, 18, of Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, was killed by the stockpile car on July 18 [sic: 28] at No. 2 Stockpile. 
 
From the Evening Telegram, July 29, 1907, p. 6, top right:
Fatal Accident at Wabana
Special to Evening Telegram
Eastern Wabana, July 28 [I am assuming they mean the accident happened on July 28.]
Herbert Bruce, aged 18, of Long Harbor, Placentia Bay, was fatally injured here at 11:30 yesterday, while at work at No. 2 Slope stockpile. At the time of the accident, Bruce and his partner, Michael Woodford, were trying to push the empty stockpile car back to the bins to load... Instead of going back, the car went ahead, knocking Bruce down on the track in front of the car, which passed over him. He was hurried to the surgery, where two physicians did everything possible for the poor fellow but, having received severe internal injuries, he lived only four hours after the accident. The funeral took place at noon today. The remains, accompanied by his father and uncle, who also worked here, were taken to Topsail to meet the express, and will be taken thence to his home at Long Harbour, where interment takes place.
Joseph Thomas Bunce, 51, of Timmins, ON, died on January 11, 1952 from being run over by 20-ton ore car in the No. 3 (main) Slope: 

Information from his Death Certificate:
"Thomas Bunce; residence: Timmins ON; place of death: Bell Island; died on January 12, 1952, due to accident while at work in mines; run over by ore car; occupation: miner; religious denomination: Roman Catholic; Dr. W. Templeman; place of burial: Timmons, Ontario; undertaker: William Lawrence."

From The Daily News, Dec. 31, 1952, p. 54, col. 5, top:
​[found in the DOSCO end-of-year report by Manager Stuewe]
On January 11, 1952, Mr. Joseph Thomas Bunce, a foreman for the Patrick Harrison Company, was struck by the big car in No. 3 Main Slope.
John Bursey, 30, of Little Bay, NDB, died on July 3, 1912 from dynamite blast in Dominion No. 2 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
"John Bursey, 29; place of death: Bell Island; died on July 3, 1912; killed in accident; occupation: miner; religious denomination: Methodist; place of birth: Little Bay; place of internment: Pilley's Island."

Information from his Marriage Record:
​"John Bursey, miner, age 28, married Mary Whelan, age 29, on January 20, 1910 at Bell Island."

From Bown, 1912, p. 38, col. 2, mid:
The Island was shocked in the first week of July by two fatal accidents involving 3 lives. The first took place in Dominion No. 2 Mine when John Bursey, a Pilley’s Island miner, was killed when he and his helper, George Blackmore, drilled into an old bottom hole. Blackmore escaped with a few scratches. Bursey was 30 years of age. (The other accident was a drowning at Lance Cove unrelated to mining.)
 
From The Evening Telegram, July 4, 1912, p. 7, btm. (under “Cable News”):
Special to Evening Telegram.
East Wabana, July 3 – Geo. Blackmore, driller, and John Bursey, drill-helper, while working in Number Two Slope of the D.I.&SCo’s plant, this morning, drilled into an old bottom, which exploded. Bursey had his left arm blown off and both legs broken. He was conveyed to the Company’s Surgery, where everything possible was done to relieve the sufferer, but he seccumbed to his injuries at noon. Blackmore escaped with a few scratches on his face. Bursey was 30 years old and formerly belonged to Pilley’s [Island].
His headstone in "Old Methodist Cemetery," Pilley's Island reads:

​John Bursey, who died July 3rd, 1912, age 30 years.

Photo from Findagrave website.
James Joseph Butler, 25, of Bell Island, died on October 8, 1949 from being hit by runaway ore cars in No. 6 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
"James Joseph Butler, 24 yrs., 11 mos.; place of death: Bell Island; died on October 8, 1949; internal injuries due to accident while  working in mines; occupation: miner; religious denomination: Roman Catholic; place of birth: Bell Island; burial place: Bell Island."

From The Daily News, Oct. 11, 1949, p. 1:
A fatal accident occurred in No. 6 Mine, Bell Island on Saturday [Oct. 8] afternoon claiming the lives of Randall Skanes, foreman, and James Butler, when a line of 12 ore cars diverted, the cause of which is still unknown, into No. 77 landing where a crew of 12 workmen were about to finish operations on the afternoon shift. The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. when the line of cars was going down from the surface and when, at the entrance of landing 77, instead of continuing along the line of track, diverted into the landing. As the line of cars came within hearing distance of the workmen, and knowing that no cars were to have entered the shaft, a general alarm was given. 10 of the men on the landing succeeded in reaching safety but Skanes and Butler were hit by the cars, receiving injuries which proved fatal. Skanes was killed outright. Butler, who was rendered unconscious, was immediately brought to the surface and taken to the Company Surgery, where he was attended to by Dr. Templeman but, as a result of injuries received, he passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Randall Skanes was in his 58th year and resided at The Front. He leaves to mourn a wife and 12 children, four of whom are married, and the youngest being eight years of age. James Butler was 25 years of age, and is survived by a wife and two children residing at the East End, Bell Island. The funeral services of the two victims were held on Sunday afternoon and were largely attended. Butler was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, while Skanes was interred in that of the Church of England. Today, a Court of Inquiry will be held at Bell Island into the cause of the fatal accident, and an Inspector will be going over to the Island this morning to be present at the proceedings.
Richard F. Butler, 20, of Bell Island died December 11, 1954 from fall of ground accident of December 10th in the Forsyth Slope in No. 3 Mine:

Information from his Death Certificate:
"Richard Butler; residence: Bell Island; place of death: Bell Island; date of death: Dec. 11, 1954; cause of death: fractured skull due to accident while working in iron mines at Wabana; accident due to fall of ground from overhead; doctor Templeman; age: 20; single; occupation: miner; religious denomination: Roman Catholic; birth place: Bell Island; place of burial: Bell Island; undertaker: Bert Rideout."
​
Information on Chebucto Grand Banks website from St. Michael's Cemetery headstone:
"Richard F. Butler; death date: December 11, 1954; age: 20."

From The Daily News, Dec. 13, 1954, p. 3:
Weekend of Tragedy: Four Die Suddenly: Logger and Miner are Killed Instantly
Man Killed
Twenty-year-old Richard Butler of Bell Island has succumbed to injuries received in Bell Island's second recent accident in the mines. He and Robert Parsons, address unknown, had been working with the Patrick Harrison Construction Company when a rock slide occurred on Friday night.
Both men were caught in the slide. Once news of the accident became known, they were rushed to the Company's Surgery where everything possible was done to save Butler's life. However, he died Saturday morning [Dec. 11th]. Robert Parsons sustained an injured ankle and some back injuries but is not in serious condition.

From The Daily News, Dec. 15, 1954, p. 7:
Tragedy in the Mines
​... Friday night it was reported that two men, Richard Butler and Robert Parsons, had been injured in a fall of ground while working at the Forsyth Slope in No. 3 Mine. Everything possible was done to save the life of Richard Butler, who was considered seriously hurt, however, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.
Parsons, who received back and leg injuries in the accident, is still detained at the Company Surgery. It is understood both accidents are being investigated. 
The funeral of the late Richard Butler was held on Sunday afternoon with a large number of his co-workers and friends in attendance.
The Pall Bearers at the funeral consisted of co-workers of the deceased who are employed with the Patrick Harrison Construction Company and were as follows: R. Bourgain, G. Langeois, J. Armstrong, P. Tourville, M. Gregorash, A. Jette, P. Hamel (Acting Undertaker).
The funeral service was held at St. Michael's Church, The Front, with Reverend Father Lawton officiating. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rideout's Undertakers Service.
The late Richard Butler leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, Mrs. P. Hammond, also three brothers and four sisters. To the bereaved relatives, deepest sympathy is extended. 

From the Submarine Miner, Jan. 1955, p. 2:
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Richard Butler, an employee of the Patrick Harrison Company, who passed away at the Company's Surgery on December 11th after being severely injured in an accident in the Forsyth Slope on December 10th. 
Thomas Butler, 17, of Bell Island died on June 22, 1939 from a fall on an ore carrier at Pier:
 
Information from his Death Record:
"Thomas Butler, age 18; death date: June 16, 1939; cause of death: accidental injury on ore carrier; Dr. Lynch."
Note: The transcribed Death Record gives his death date at June 16, but the hand-written record it was based on does not actually have the number “16” written in. The last “day” date is written in the entry above his death for Peter Ezekiel, who died on the 16th, so either the transcriber believed he died the same day as the entry above him, or else they neglected to write the date in. According to “Find-A-Grave website,” his headstone says June 22, 1939, as does the list of fatalities posted in the 80s by John Hammond, which says he died from a “fall at the pier.”

Information on Chebucto Grand Banks website from St. Michael's Cemetery headstone:
"Thomas Butler; death date: June 22, 1939; age: 17."

Nothing was found in the Daily News for 1939 regarding his death.
Samuel Chaytor, 25, of Chamberlains died April 27, 1938 from gas explosion in No. 6 Mine:
 
Information from his Death Record:
"Samuel Chaytor; age 25; death date: April 26 [sic: 27], 1938; cause of death: explosion in mine; Dr. J.B. Lynch; place of birth: Chamberlains; place of burial: Church of England Cemetery, Topsail."

From Bown, 1938, p. 70, col. 3, btm to p. 71, col. 1, top:
Samuel Chaytor, 25, was killed in No. 6 Mine on April 27 by an explosion of gas. Others injured in the blast were Bernard Hedderson, Richard Singleton, Martin Moriarity, Charles Skanes, Robert Bowdring and his son, Frank Bowdring, and William Reynolds. All were taken to the General Hospital accompanied by Dr. W. Templeman and Nurse Hazel Smith. Robert Bowdring, 65, succumbed next day to burns.
 
From the Daily News, April 28, 1938, p. 1, top rt.:
One Man Killed and 7 Others Badly Injured
Samuel Chaytor, Married, of Chamberlains, Victim of Blast
Gas Accumulation said to be cause
One of the worst accidents for a number of years occurred yesterday morning [April 27th] at Bell Island in No. 6 Mine, when, as a result of an explosion of gas in room 77, Samuel Chaytor, aged 25, married with a wife and two children, living at east end of Bell Island, but a resident of Chamberlains, lost his life and seven men are now at the General Hospital suffering from burns and shock.
….As soon as the explosion was heard, all the miners in the vicinity rushed to the scene and they succeeded in rescuing seven men, who were burnt badly and some later located the body of Samuel Chaytor and removed it from the room. The body of Samuel Chaytor was badly burned and had also suffered head injuries...
Ambrose Clarke, 46, of Harbour Grace, NL, died March 21, 1914 from fall of ground in Scotia Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“Ambrose Clarke, miner; age 46; death date: March 21, 1914, Bell Island; cause of death: accident; place of birth: Harbour Grace; place of burial: Harbour Grace; religious denomination: Roman Catholic.” [No headstone found online.]

From Bown, 1914, p. 44, col. 3, top:
Ambrose Clarke of Harbour Grace was killed on the 21st by a fall of ground in the Scotia mine and Wm. Pye had one of legs amputated as a result of the same accident.

From The Evening Telegram, Mar. 23, 1914, p. 5, col. 4, mid:
Fatal Accident at Bell Island.
Mr. A. Proudfoot of Bell Island, who is a guest at the Crosbie, received a message on Saturday night [Mar. 21] informing him of a tragedy that occurred on the Island during the day. The message stated that Ambrose Clarke, of Harbour Grace, an underground worker, was killed by a falling roof in the submarine mine, and that William Pye, another labourer, was badly injured.
One of Pye’s legs had to be amputated immediately after the accident, but there is every hope of his recovery.
 
From The Evening Telegram, Mar. 24, 1914, p. 7, col. 7, mid:
Harbour Grace Notes.
The very deepest sorrow filled all our citizens on Saturday evening when the sad news of the death at Bell Island of Mr. Ambrose Clark became known. The particulars of Mr. Clark’s death are that, while at work with another man named Pye, of Carbonear, an immense pile of clay and rock fell on them, killing Mr. Clarke instantly, and breaking the legs and arms of the other man. The remains of our citizen was conveyed here yesterday afternoon [Sunday]and the funeral took place from the steamer’s side. A very large number of people attending. Mr. Clarke was one of our most industrious citizens. Kind, pleasant at all times, and a hard worker. He had many friends. He was about 47 years of age, and leaves besides a widow eight little children to mourn their loss. Two of his children are at Halifax in the Deaf and Dumb Institute there, and two more younger children are similarly afflicted at home. Hr. Grace, March 23, 1914.
Hector Cobb, 41, of Bell Island, died November 25, 1939 of an ore car accident in No. 3 Slope:

Information from his Death Record:
“Hector Cobb; age 43 (sic); death date: November 25, 1939, Wabana; cause of death: accident in mines; place of birth: Pilley’s Island; place of burial: Wabana; religious denomination: Church of England.” 
​
From the Daily News, Monday, Nov. 27, 1939, p. 1, top rt.:
Fatal Accident on Bell Island Saturday
Hector Cobb Hit by Ore Car in No. 3 Slope
Injured Man Passes Away 7 Hours After Accident
Mourned by Wife and Eight Children
Hector Cobb, driller with Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation, married, with eight small children, died at Bell Island on Saturday afternoon, some seven hours after he had been hit by a 20-ton ore car whilst he was walking up the slope of No. 3 Mine. He was brought to the surface by his helper, rushed to the Company’s surgery and attended by Dr. J.B. Lynch and Dr. Templeman. In spite of all the proper attention that the doctors could give him, he passed away about four o’clock in the afternoon. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon and it was very largely attended.
He has three brothers working with the Company, George, Stanley and Eric, and another brother, much younger. He was a war veteran and leaves his wife and eight small children.
Today Mr. T.A. Hall goes over to BI to conduct an enquiry.
His headstone in St. Boniface Cemetery, Bell Island, only gives the year of his death.

The Find-A-Grave website incorrectly gives his death as June 22nd; it was actually November 25th.
Hector Cobb (died November 25, 1939 in No. 3 Slope) and Samuel Cobb (died February 28, 1928 in No. 2 Mine) were half brothers. They are buried next to each other in the family plot in St. Boniface Anglican Cemetery, Bell Island. Photos of the Cobb headstones are courtesy of Tia Connolly on Find a Grave website.
Samuel Cobb, 38, of Bell Island, died February 28, 1928 from a dynamite blast in No. 2 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“Samuel Cobb, age 38; death date: February 28, 1928, Wabana; cause of death: accidentally killed; physician: physician: Dr. Lynch; place of birth: Little Bay Islands (sic: Little Bay); place of burial: Bell Island; clergy: Rev. Isaac Parsons, Church of England.”

From Bown, 1928, p. 22, col. 2, top:
Samuel Cobb, driller, 37, lost his life in No. 2 Mine on Feb. 28 by drilling into an old hole containing an unexploded charge of dynamite.
​
From The Daily News, Mar. 2, 1928, p. 3, col. 4, top:
Dies From Effects of Dynamite Blast.
Bell Island Miner Drilled into Blind Blast – Amputation of Leg Fails to Save Life.
Wabana, Feb. 28. Samuel Cobb of Wabana, driller in No. 2 Mine, met with an accident about 11:00 a.m. today, [Feb. 28] which later cost him his life. It appears, from the details we have been able to secure, that Cobb, during the course of drilling operations, accidentally placed his drill in a blind-blast hole, with which the blasters had had some trouble during the night before. As soon as his drill came in contact with the dynamite remaining in the hole, the explosion, of course, took place. His “buddy” who had been working with him only a little while before, had gone to another section of the mine at the time to fetch something. The loaders were also away, so that Cobb was alone when the explosion occurred, otherwise others might have shared a similar fate. The unfortunate man was very badly injured, but was quite conscious and, when found, enquired for his “buddy.” He was brought to the Company Hospital about 12:15 where, after examination, it was found necessary to amputate one of his legs. He came through the anesthetic and was conscious up to a short time before his death, which occurred about 4 p.m. Rev. I. Parsons was in attendance and administered the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The deceased leaves a wife and four young children, to whom the whole community extends deepest sympathy.
​
His headstone in St. Boniface Anglican Cemetery, Bell Island reads: 

"Samuel Cobb, beloved husband of Effie Cobb, who departed this life Feb. 28, 1928, aged 38 years."

​Photos from Find-A-Grave website.
John Connolly, 24, of Carbonear, died March 4, 1953 from an accident with mechanical equipment in No. 3 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“John Connolly, 24, miner, single; death date: March 4, 1953, Bell Island; cause of death: accident while at work in mines; physician: Dr. Templeman; place of birth: “C” (Carbonear); place of burial: Bell Island; religious denomination: Roman Catholic.” [He has a headstone in St. Michael’s RC Cemetery, but no dates.]

From the Daily News, Mar. 5, 1953, p. 3, col. 2, top:
Worker Killed Accidentally in Bell Island Mine.
John Connolly, a twenty-four year old native of Carbonear, was fatally injured in No. 3 submarine mine, Bell Island, at 9:30 yesterday morning... It is unofficially reported that death was the result of becoming entangled in some moving equipment at the top of the storage pocket... He was the son of the late Patrick and Mary Connolly, coming to Bell Island from Mount Cashel Orphanage 11 years ago to work on Mr. Andrew Murphy’s dairy farm. Buried in R.C. Cemetery at Bell Island.
Josiah Coombs, 43, of Upper Island Cove, died November 11, 1915 from a fall of ground in Scotia No. 3 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“Josiah Coombes [sic: Coombs], 43; death date: Nov. 11, 1915, Bell Island; cause of death: killed-accident Bell Island; physician: Dr. Carnochan; place of birth and burial: Upper Island Cove; C of E.”

Information from his Marriage Record:
“Josiah Coombs, 29, labourer, of Goddenville, married Susanna Barrett, 25, of Spaniard’s Bay, on January 21, 1903.”

From the Evening Telegram, Nov. 13, 1915, p. 4, col. 3, btm:
No Official Knowledge.
Up to 1 p.m. today, the Justice Department had no knowledge of the man, who was killed at Bell Island, as reported and written about by a contemporary yesterday.
​
From the Evening Telegram, Nov. 17, 1915, p. 8:
Killed at Bell Island, Thursday, Nov. 11th, Joseph Coombs, of Upper Island Cove, aged 43 years, beloved husband of Susanna Coombs, leaving a wife, six children, two brothers and two sisters to mourn their sad loss. 

From The Harbor Grace Standard & Conception Bay Advertiser, Fri. Dec. 10, 1915, p. 4 [editorial], col. 1, top:
The following was written for last week: We see no reference to the matter in the St. John's Press. The report of the inquest should be published. We understand that the Government Engineer, Mr. Hall, was over to Bell Island early this week when an enquiry was held with respect to the death of Mr. Joshua [sic: Josiah] Coombs of Upper Island Cove a short time ago. Mr. Coombs was a worker at No. 3 shaft of the Nova Scotia mine and was chatting with a fellow workman at the time, about eleven o'clock at night, when a large mass of roofing fell from overhead upon him and he was stricken down and almost instantly killed and his companion slightly injured. Work was off at the time and the rest of the gang of, we think, four in number were not in the passage at the time. The cause of the downfall is said to be the slipping of a "greasy rock" in the ceiling, a form whose presence is dreaded by the miner. We hear that the court of inquiry has pronounced the fatality to be due to no carelessness or want of taking preventive measures of any kind on anyone's part, but we do not know for certain whether that is correct. Whatever the verdict is, the judgment and the evidence taken before the court should be published in the public interest...the proceedings should be made known through the Press as is not now done. It is to be remembered that men working with corporations cannot, as thing are, voice their views, and that their is all the more reason that publicity should be given.
Francis (Frank) Costello, 42, of Harbour Main, died August 5, 1931 in an ore car accident in No. 6 Mine:
 
Information from his Death Record:
"Francis Costello, 42; death date: Aug. 5, 1931, Bell Island; cause of death: accident in mines; physician: Dr. Lynch; place of birth: Harbour Main; place of burial: Bell Island; clergy: Rev. Kennedy." [No headstone photo available.]

From Bown, 1931, p. 41, col. 2, mid:
A fatal accident occurred in No. 6 Mine on August 5 when Frank Costello, 46, a drill-helper, was run over by a trip of cars and died at the Surgery. The previous fatality in the mines had occurred on July 24, 1930, with the death of John Costello in No. 4 Mine.

From The Daily News, Aug. 10, 1931, p. 5, col. 2, top:
Laid to Rest. Remains of Accident Victim Interred in R.C. Cemetery.
All that was mortal of the late Frank Costello, victim of an accident in No. 6 Mine on Wednesday, August 5th, was laid to rest in the R.C. Cemetery at the Front on Thursday afternoon. The remains were accompanied from his late home on the Scotia Ridge to St. Michael’s Church by a large concourse of mourners. Rev. G.F. Bartlett recited the prayers for the dead, after which the funeral procession moved on the cemetery, attended by many friends, who gathered from far and near to pay their last tribute of respect to the fellow workman. Mr. James Quinlan acted as undertaker, and a bodyguard of miners escorted the casket as pall-bearers. Deceased was a native of Harbour Main, not Conception Harbour as originally presumed.
Gerald Costello, 38, of Bell Island, died October 13, 1960 of injures from a fall into an M.A. Rose & Sons surface rock pit on October 12th:

Information from his Death Record:
“Gerald Costello, married, 38, miner of Bell Island, died at General Hospital, St. John’s; death date: Oct. 13, 1960; cause of death: multiple injuries and hemorrhage, lost balance, fell from stand 9 feet to ground; physician: Dr. George Cobb; place of birth: Bell Island; place of burial: Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bell Island; undertaker: Carnell’s Funeral Home.”

From the Daily News, Oct. 14, 1960, p. 3, col. 7, mid:
Died of Injuries.
Bell Island
Gerald Costello, 33 [sic: 38], of Bell Island, died in hospital here Thursday [Oct. 13th] from injuries received when he fell into a rock pit while working with the surface iron ore mining firm of M.A. Rose and Sons.

From the Daily News, Oct. 15, 1960, p. 3, col. 6, btm:
Another Fatality On Bell Island
Article starts with a non-mining fatality above Beach. The last paragraph of article says:
This was the second fatal accident on Bell Island this week. 33-year old Gerald Costello died Tuesday [sic: Thurs] from injuries received when he fell into a rock pit.
John Costello, 21, of Bell Island, died July 24, 1930 when thrown from derailed ore car in No. 4 Main Slope:

Information from his Death Record:
“John Costello, 21, death date: July 24, 1930, Bell Island; cause of death: accidentally killed in mines; physician: Dr. Lynch; place of birth: Bell Island; place of burial: Bell Island.” [Headstone in St. Michael’s RC Cemetery. No photo available.]

From Bown, 1930, p. 33, col. 1, top:
John Costello, trammer in No. 4 Mine, was killed on July 24 when an ore car on which he was riding was derailed, throwing him against a mine pillar. He was 22 years old.
And…
From Bown, 1931, p. 41, col. 2, mid:
While commenting on the fatal accident in No. 6 Mine on August 5, 1931 when Frank Costello, 46, a drill-helper, was run over by a trip of cars and died at the Surgery, Bown noted: The previous fatality in the mines had occurred on July 24, 1930, with the death of John Costello in No. 4 Mine.

From The Daily News, July 25, 1930, p. 1, col. 7, top:
Fatal Accident When Ore Car is Derailed. Bell Island Trammer Killed in Mine. John Costello Thrown Against Mine Pillar When Ore Car in Trip He was Riding Derailed. Companion Thrown but Escapes Injury. Bell Island, July 24 (Special to Daily News)
John Costello, married last November, met instant death today when he was thrown against a mine pillar when a car in the trip he was riding was derailed. A companion riding ahead of him was also thrown but, though rendered unconscious temporarily, was not seriously injured. The accident occurred in No. 4 Mine shortly after 1:00 this afternoon. Costello was a trammer, or trip runner, and it was part of his duty to ride the “trip” or train of ore cars from the mine. He was accompanying a loaded “trip” of 12 cars of ore from the workings to the main slope when, in passing out of one of the levels, the car he was riding was suddenly derailed and Costello was thrown head foremost against a mine pillar, a rock pillar left to support the mine roof. He received injuries to his head which proved fatal, breathing his last within a few minutes. Rev. P.J. Kennedy, who was relieving the local priest, was promptly on the scene and later broke the news to the grief-stricken family. At 5 p.m., the body was removed to his home, attended by all the male residents of West Mines. The funeral will take place tomorrow. The mine closed immediately after the news spread and will be closed all day tomorrow. The government engineer, Mr. T.A. Hall, is expected here tomorrow to investigate. The late John Costello was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Costello of West Mines. He was married last November to Mollie Lahey of the Front. He is also survived by three sisters. He was a most popular employee and general sympathy was expressed on the Island at the sudden blotting out of his life.
Isaac Crann, 24, of Trinny Cove, Placentia Bay, NL, died May 5, 1919 from hitting his head in a fall in Dominion No. 3 Slope:
 
Note: I did not find any official vital statistics records for Isaac Crann.

From Bown, 1919, p. 58, col. 2, mid:
Isaac Crann, aged 24, of Placentia, was killed in Dom. No. 3 Mine on May 5.
 
From the Evening Telegram, May 6, 1919, p. 4, col. 3, top:
Fatality at Bell Island. Man Loses Life. Special to Evening Telegram. East Wabana. Yesterday [May 5].
A sad accident occurred at Dominion No. 3 slope, this afternoon, which resulted in the death of Isaac Crann, of Trinny Cove, Placentia Bay. Crann and his partner were carrying out a drill from the face of a room after finishing the day’s work, when Crann stumbled and fell backwards, striking his head against the footwall, apparently breaking his neck and causing instant death. Crann was an unmarried man of the age of 24.
Patrick Curran, 24, of Conception Harbour, died November 25, 1905 in a blasting accident in Scotia No. 1 Slope:

Information from his Death Record:
“Patrick Curran, 25, miner, death date: Nov. 25, 1905, Bell Island; cause of death: accident, dynamite explosion; physician: Dr. Tait; place of birth: Conception Harbour; place of burial: Colliers [sic: St. Anne’s Cemetery, Conception Harbour]; clergy: Rev. N. Veitch.”

Information from his Headstone in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Conception Harbour, as recorded on Chebucto Grand Banks website:
“Patrick Curran, Nov. 25, 1905, son of John P. and Fanny, age 24.”

From Bown, 1905, p. 19, col. 2, top:
Patrick Curran of Conception Harbour, aged 25, was killed by the explosion of a dynamite charge while employed by the Scotia Company. He was buried in Colliers Cemetery.
 
From the Evening Telegram, Nov. 27, 1905, p. 3, col. 7, top:
Man Blown Up at Wabana. A fatal accident occurred on Sunday [26th] morning at 12:30 [or 2:00?] at Wabana, the victim being Patrick Curran, of Conception Harbor. Curran, who was considered the best blaster in the employ of the Nova Scotia Steel Co., was working late on Saturday night with three others in No. 1 Slope. They had just had a ‘mug-up’ and, after exploding four more charges, they expected to finish their work about 2 a.m. Curran was just plugging the hole after putting in the dynamite when the charge exploded, killing him instantly, and rendering two of the others who were working nearby unconscious. Dr. Fortin was sent for…His body was taken this morning [27th] for interment…was 25 years old…worked there several years… He was to have been married in a month or so…
Charles Day, 24, of Old Shop, NL, died June 1, 1907 of dynamite blast in Scotia No. 3:
 
Information from his Death Record:
“Charles Day, 24, miner; death date: June 1, 1907; cause of death: killed in accident; place of birth: Old Shop; place of burial: Old Shop; clergy: Rev. J.J. White, Church of England.”
 
From Bown, 1907, p. 22, col. 2, top:
Magistrate O’Donnell informed the Minister of Justice on June 1 that Charles Day, 23, of Old Shop, Trinity Bay, had been killed, and George Churchill of Portugal Cove seriously injured when their drill ran into an unexploded charge of dynamite in the Scotia Mine.

From The Evening Telegram, June 3, 1907, p. 6, col. 1, top:
Killed at Bell Island.
A dreadful fatality happened at Bell Island on Saturday [June 1st] morning in No. 3 Slope of the Nova Scotia Steel Company’s mine. As a result of an explosion, one young man lies dead and another has his eyes sightless, his hands injured and is not expected to recover. The men were working in the slope with others drilling holes to blast out the iron ore, little thinking when they turned to in the morning that such a dreadful calamity awaited them. Charles Day, the unfortunate man who was killed, went to work for the first time Saturday morning. From his brother and J. Drover, who were also at work there, and who accompanied the remains to town to be taken home for interment, a Telegram reporter gleaned the following particulars of the accident: Day and Churchill were at work drilling. A steam drill was used and Day was not aware that he was working on an unexploded charge that had been put in on Tuesday last but which evidently did not go off. Suddenly the drill struck this dynamite and a large body of the ore came up with a terrific explosion and struck the two men. Day, who was stooping down, was struck on the head and killed almost instantly. Churchill was knocked down by tons of broken rock and his eyes almost knocked out, and his hands, breast, arms and legs terribly lacerated. The poor fellow’s sufferings since have been terrible, and were a heartrending sight to those who witnessed them. Two other men, including a brother of Day, the deceased, had a narrow escape, having only a few seconds before moving from the place. Some wild consternation raged in the mine, and an alarm was made that the whole mine was exploding. When the truth was learned, and the fears of the others quieted down, willing hands were at work assisting the two victims and doing whatever was possible…A message was hastily dispatched for the Company’s doctor who, on arriving, did what he could for Churchill, and had him conveyed to his residence, where his wounds were washed and bound up…The body of poor Day was put into a coffin and brought to Portugal Cove yesterday [June 2nd], and then taken to the railway station for conveyance by last evening’s express to Old Shop, Trinity Bay, where he belonged, by his two brothers, who also had been working on the mine there. J. Drover and others belonging to the same locality accompanied the remains and went out by the express…Day’s mother was a widow who had lost another son 5 years previously when the Reid schooner he worked on was lost at sea. Her two remaining sons worked at the Scotia Company mines…Day, the victim, was unmarried and was 24 years of age. George Churchill, the injured man, was 26 years of age and was married last year. The workmen who accompanied the remains of poor Day to town yesterday made bitter comments on the accident and they are of the opinion that the Company does not take sufficient pains to safe-guard the lives of their employees. We understand that a rigid enquiry will be made into the affair by the authorities. One of the men informed the Telegram that a boss of the Company had the spot where the explosion occurred, after the accident, enclosed and would not allow anybody to see the locality. As a preliminary to the Magisterial enquiry, Minister of Justice, Sir E.P. Morris, K.C., this morning sent Mr. T.A. Hall, Government Engineer, to Bell Island to visit the mine where the fatality occurred and investigate minutely the whole affair, including the condition of the mine. He will report to the Attorney General on his return.
 
From The Evening Telegram, June 4, 1907, p. 4, col. 3, btm:
Churchill Improving. The Government Engineer, Mr. Hall, returned this morning from Bell Island, where he held an enquiry into the fatal mining explosion. Churchill, the driller, is improving and last night was able to move one of his eye lids. He is quite sensible and talks all right. There is good hope of his recovery. He was able to give an intelligent account of the accident.

From The Evening Telegram, June 7, 1907, p. 4, col. 7, btm:
Churchill’s Condition. Mrs. Churchill, mother of Mrs. Collymore, arrived today from Portugal Cove. She states it is thought there that the poor fellow Churchill, who was injured at Bell Island by the dynamite explosion, won’t live. Mrs. Churchill’s husband is a relative of the victim. In contradiction to the above opinion, a message was received from Bell Island about 2:30 today stating that the unfortunate man is getting better except his eyes. It is very doubtful now if he will ever recover even the sight of one of his eyes.
and
Company Not to Blame. We understand that Mr. Hall, the Government Engineer, in his report of the accident at Bell Island in which one man was killed and another injured, holds that the Company is not to blame in the matter.

From The Evening Telegram, June 8, 1907, p. 4, col. 4, btm:
George Churchill’s Condition. Mr. J.H. Pike, who came from Bell Island today, says that George Churchill, who was injured in the recent explosion at Bell Island, is recovering and will probably have the sight of one of his eyes.
Harold Dean (aka Rose), 18, of Bell Island, died September 4, 1953 in an M.A. Rose & Son's tractor accident on Beach Hill:

Information from his Death Record:
“Harold Dean, age 18, diesel operator; death date: Sept. 4, 1953; cause of death: accidentally fell from tractor which went over him; place of birth: Bell Island; place of burial: Bell Island; physician: Dr. C. Eagan; religious denomination: Church of England."

From Daily News, Sat. Sept. 5, 1953, p. 3, col. 4, mid:
Killed in Accident
18-year-old, Harold Dean was killed at Bell Island when the tractor he was driving went over an embankment at the Beach Hill. Full details of the accident will be found on the Bell Island page: p. 7, col. 4-5, top :
Fatal Accident Occurs Vicinity of Big Culvert.
Harold Dean Loses Life When Tractor Leaves Road and Goes Over Embankment.
A fatal accident which occurred at Bell Island shortly after 8 o’clock last evening claimed the life of 18-year-old Harold Dean, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Dean of Scotia Ridge, Wabana. Dean, who was an employee of M.A. Rose & Son [a surface iron ore mining firm], was taking a tractor to the Beach and, while passing the big culvert on the [Beach] hill, the vehicle left the road and passed on through the cable. The unfortunate young man was thrown from his seat and apparently landed underneath the tractor. The tractor continued on over the embankment, a distance of 114 feet. It was completely demolished. The RCMP were quickly on the scene and a doctor and clergyman were called. The young man was unconscious when found and arrangements were made for a special trip of the boat to take him to a city hospital. But he died on the way to Portugal Cove.

From Daily News, Sept. 12, 1953, p. 8, col. 6, top:
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel (Dean) Rose of the Scotia Ridge, Bell Island, wish to acknowledge with grateful appreciation the many kindnesses shown by neighbours and friends when their son, Harold, accidentally lost his life on September 4th, and to thank sincerely the numerous sympathizers from far and near who sent letters, telegrams, cards and wreaths, or helped in any way by their kind sympathy to console them in their irreparable loss.
His headstone in St. Boniface Anglican Cemetery, Bell Island reads: 

"In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Son, Harold Dean, Accidentally Killed Sept. 4th, 1953, Aged 18 years."

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
Jordan Deer, 17, of Carbonear, died February 29, 1908 from dynamite blast in Scotia Company’s No. 2 Slope [No. 6 after 1920]:

Note: I did not find any official vital statistics records for Jordan Deer.

Information from his headstone in Freshwater Old UC Cemetery, Freshwater (Carbonear), on Find A Grave website:
“Jordan Deer, killed at Bell Island, Feb. 2?,* 1908, aged 17 years, 2 months.”
*His headstone (according to the Findagrave transcription) says he was killed on February 28th, but that cannot be right because the accident happened on the 29th.

From Bown, 1908, pp. 24-25:
The winter of 1908 was one of slaughter in the Wabana mines. For the period from Jan. 24 to Mar. 16, no less than ten fatalities occurred, and a staggering total of 74 accidents were recorded in two months. Most of the fatal accidents were caused by the powerful new explosive used by the Scotia Company known as Rippite. The most common cause of accidents was ‘miss-holes,’ or unexploded charges of dynamite which had failed to go off because of faulty connections or defective caps. Drillers working the next day ran into them with their machines, or the hand shovellers, who were using picks at that time, set them off, both with disastrous results... The Companies’ Surgeries were filled at that time with maimed or badly injured miners, some with eyes blown out or hands blown off, and a public outcry arose to stop the slaughter... On Feb. 29, the most serious accident occurred when three men were killed in explosions due to miss-holes. They were using picks while working in the Scotia Slope half a mile under the bay and about 200 feet below the ocean floor. There were six men in the group: Martin Bulger, James Smart, Bernard Moriarty, Thomas Eveleigh, B. Corbett and Jordan Deer. Bulger, Moriarty and Deer died of injuries from the blast.
 
From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 2, col. 3, btm:
Latest Re Bell Island Accident
There were seven men in the room when the accident occurred. Bulger and Deer being quite close to the explosion and received the full force of it. … Both Bulger and Deer … died within an hour of each other Saturday night. [Sat. Feb. 29]
 
From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 6, top right:
The Bell Island Accident
…caused the death of two men, and wounded five others, one seriously. The accident occurred at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday [Feb. 29]... The place they were working was in No. 2 deep slope. [I believe this is the mine that was renamed No. 6 after the 2 mining companies merged in 1920.]
From the Evening Telegram, March 9, 1908, p. 6, top rt:
Supt. Sullivan Interviewed / Re Accident at Bell Island / Facts Regarding Recent Casualties – Investigation Still On.
Last evening we saw Supt. Sullivan and gleaned facts regarding the accidents which resulted in the death of Bolger and Deer at the NSSCo’s mines [date of accident not mentioned]… The Enquiry into the death of Bolger and Deer has not been concluded yet… The circumstances surrounding that casualty are pretty much the same as has already been published in the Telegram… Bolger took a pick to loosen it up and had only given three blows with it when the explosion occurred. All the men except one, Deer, were knocked down and lay unconscious for a while. Deer was thrown against the face opposite…and dazed for some minutes. On recovering…he found Evilly [Eveleigh] trying to crawl out. He helped him to his feet and conducted him out and gave the alarm. Bulger and Deer were close to each other and nearest the explosion.
His headstone in Freshwater Old UC Cemetery, Freshwater (Carbonear) reads: 

“Jordan Deer, killed at Bell Island, Feb. 2?, 1908, aged 17 years, 2 months.”

​Photos from Find-A-Grave website.
To read more about this and other accidents of 1908, click the button:
Richard Delaney, 14, of Bay Roberts, died March 2, 1908, following accident on February 28, 1908 in which he was struck by a runaway ore car in Scotia Company’s No. 2 Slope [renamed No. 6 Mine after 1920]:

Information from his Death Record:
"Richard Delaney, labourer, 15 yrs; place of death: General Hospital, St. John's, NL; died on March 2, 1908; cause of death: accident at Bell Island; physician: Dr. Shea; clergy: Rev. J.J. McGrath; birth place: Bay Roberts; place of burial: Bay Roberts."
​[No headstone found.]
​
From Bown, 1908, p. 24, col. 3, btm to p. 25, col. 1, top:
Richard Delaney, who was only 14 years old and the sole support of his widowed mother in Bay Roberts, was struck by a runaway car in No. 2 Scotia Slope and succumbed to his injuries…Boys were employed in the mines at that time at a very tender age.

From the Evening Telegram, March 7, 1908, p. 6, top left:
Dr. Herbert Chaplin and two trained nurses arrived here on Sunday [March 1] and performed an operation on the young man Delaney who was taken to the General Hospital, St. John’s, on Monday [March 2].

From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 4, col. 3, btm:
Died at Hospital - Thomas [sic: Richard] Delaney, one of the miners who was injured at Bell Island in the recent explosion [sic: hit by ore car the day before the explosion accident], died at the hospital last night [March 2nd?]. The doctors realized from the first that there was no hope of his recovery.

From the Evening Telegram, March 9, 1908, p. 4, col. 4, btm:
Laid to Rest - The funeral of the late Rd. Delaney, who died of injuries received at Bell Island, took place at Bay Roberts Thursday last [March 5] and was largely attended. The people expressed great sympathy for Mrs. Delaney. Mr. Henry Devereux, uncle of the deceased, went from St. John’s to attend the funeral, accompanying his sister, Mrs. Delaney, who came from Bell Island.
Edward Devereaux, 13, of Bell Island, died February 16, 1913 from a scalding accident of February 6th at the Scotia Company’s No. 2 Compressor:

Note: I did not find any official vital statistics records for Edward Devereaux. His death was not mentioned in Bown, only the initial accident on Feb. 6th in which he was scalded; likewise, he was not included in Hammond’s list of fatalities. [No headstone found for him.]

From Bown, 1913, p. 40, col. 3, mid:
On Feb. 6, one of the tubes in the boiler of the compressor at the Scotia Company’s plant blew out. Three men, John Callahan, Patrick Hayes, and William Ryan, as well as a boy named Edward Devereaux, were scalded by escaping steam. Ice in the Tickle prevented them from being taken to St. John’s, and they had to be treated on the Island. It also prevented the government engineer and boiler inspector from going to the Island.
 
From the Evening Telegram, Feb. 7, 1913, p. 4, cols. 6 & 7, btm:
Accident at Bell Island. We’re indebted to the Postal Telegraphs for an account of an accident at the Nova Scotia Steel Co’s works at Bell Island yesterday [Feb. 6] between 11 and 12 a.m. A tube of the boiler of No. 2 Compressor blew out and three men and one boy were scalded by the steam from the boiler. John Callahan and Patrick Hayse [sic?] were slightly injured and George Devereaux and a boy, William Ryan, more seriously, but happily, no fatal results are anticipated. All are doing well today.
 
From the Evening Telegram, Feb. 17, 1913, p. 4, col. 2, btm:
Died of Injuries. Last week, it will be remembered, three men and a boy were badly scalded in the boiler house of the D.I.S.Co. at Bell Island by the bursting of the boiler tubes. The boy, Devereaux, who lived with his parents on the Island, was the most injured of the four, and died last evening [16th]. The poor boy, who was only 13 years, received a terrible shock and, besides the scalding water and steam going over his body, affected the vital organs. His parents are grief stricken over his early and cruel death.
Michael Dinn, 40, of Salmonier, NL, died March 13, 1913 from a dynamite blast in Dominion Company’s No. 2 Slope:

Information from his Death Record:
“Michael Dinn, age 40, miner; death date: March 13, 1913 at Bell Island; cause of death: killed in accident; place of birth and burial: Mount Carmel; clergy: Rev. J.J. McGrath.”

Headstone information from Find-a-Grave website:
“Michael Dinn, 1913, Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery. No photo.”

From Bown, 1913, p. 40, col. 3, btm:
Michael Dinn of Salmonier, aged 40, was killed by a dynamite blast in No. 2 Dominion Slope on March 13.
​
From the Evening Telegram, Mar. 13, 1913, p. 4, col. 3, mid:
Fatal Blasting Accident At Wabana. Special to Evening Telegram, Wabana. Today.
A blasting accident occurred last night in No. 2 Slope of the Dominion Iron and Steel Company, Bell Island, resulting in the fatal injury to Michael Dinn and injury to Ernest Noseworthy, both at the time being employed in blasting in the mines. …cause of accident…Both were experienced blasters. The deceased was a married man, aged 40 years and belongs to Lumbergrass, Salmonier. Noseworthy’s injuries are not of a very serious nature and it is expected he will make a good recovery; he is a native of Harbour Grace.
Reginald Dobbin, 28, of Upper Island Cove, died on March 20, 1952 from fall of ground accident of March 19th in No. 4 Mine:

Information from his Death Record:
“Reginald Dobbin, miner, 28; death date: March 20, 1952; place of death: Bell Island; cause of death: injuries resulting from fall of rock; physician: Dr. Templeman; religious denomination: Roman Catholic; place of birth and burial: Upper Island Cove; undertaker: Fred Fitzgerald.”

From the Daily News, Mar. 22, 1952, p. 5, col. 7, top:
Miner Killed by Landslide. Reginald Dobbin, 29, of Upper Island Cove, passed away at the Company’s Surgery at 7:45 a.m. March 20th as a result of injuries from a fall of ground in No. 4 Mine Wednesday morning [Mar. 19th]. The last rites of the Catholic Church of which he was a devout member was administered to him by the Rev. Fr. McNeilly. He is survived by his wife, Agnes, and four sons, Reginald, William, Kevin and Hayward at Upper Island Cove. His remains were conveyed by special boat to Harbour Grace, thence to his home for burial. Mr. Claude K. Howse, Chief Inspector of Mines for the Newfoundland Government, journeyed to the Island yesterday for the purpose of investigating the circumstances of the accident. As a mark of respect to the deceased, No. 4 [Mine] was closed Thursday and [fellow workers] attended the funeral in a body which took place that afternoon. Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved family.
His headstone in "Old Roman Catholic Cemetery," Upper Island Cove reads:

"Reginald, beloved husband of Agnes Dobbin, born Oct. 26, 1923, died March 20, 1952."

​Photo from Find-A-Grave website.


​Albert Drover, 19, of Bell Island, died May 27, 1942 from accident on ore carrier J. Acton at Scotia Pier:

Information from his Death Record:
“Albert Drover, labourer, age 19 at Bell Island; cause of death: accidental concussion on the Brig J. Acton; physician: Dr. Templeman; religious denomination: Salvation Army.”
 
From the Daily News, June 1, 1942, p. 3:
Fatal Accident on Bell Island. At 5 pm, Thursday [28th May], Albert Drover, aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Drover, Scotia Ridge, succumbed at the Company’s Surgery to injuries received 24 hours earlier while helping discharge a ship at the Scotia Pier. This is the first fatal accident to occur on the Company’s Plant since November, 1939, a period of 2 ½ years.
The Government Engineer, Mr. W.J. Robinson, visited the Island Friday and held an inspection into the accident. ____ The Bell Islander.

His headstone at the Salvation Army Cemetery, Bell Island, reads:

"Albert, beloved son of Gertrude & Albert Drover, died May 27, 1942, aged 19 yrs." Photo from Find-A-Grave website.
The photo below is of the Dwyer family plot at St. Edward's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Kelligrews. Philip Dwyer was born on Kelly's Island about 1875. His wife, Margaret, was born on Kelly's Island about 1878. They married on Bell Island on Oct. 30, 1901, with their residence listed as Kelligrews. They were living on Bell Island at least by about 1909 when their son, Edward was born. Philip was listed variously over the years as a foreman, an engineer, a blacksmith and a miner, living at West Mines, so probably working in No. 4 Mine. Tragically, this family lost two young sons to mining fatalities within three years of each other. Their son Walter was the first mining fatality of 1924 when, on May 1st, he was electrocuted after coming in contact with a high tension switch while driving one of the hoisting engines in No. 3 Mine. He was only 20 years old, was "a member of the Catholic Cadet Corps and a prominent footballer." Their son Edward was only 18 when he died on May 31, 1927 after being struck by an ore car at the No. 4 Mine's Stockpile bins. Philip Dwyer was still working in the mines in 1935, but had retired by 1945, at which time the family was living in Upper Gullies with their youngest son, Bernard, who was also a miner. 
Edward Dwyer, 18, of Bell Island, died May 31, 1927 in an ore car accident at No. 4 Mine Stockpile:

No Death Record found.
​
Bown, 1927, p. 19, col. 1, mid:
A fatal accident occurred at No. 4 Stockpile bins on May 31, the victim being Edward Dwyer, age 18.
​
From The Evening Telegram, June 1, 1927, p. 8, col. 5, btm:
Fatal Accident at Bell Island
Edward Dwyer Struck by Ore Car and Died Hour Later
Yesterday afternoon Inspector General Hutchings received a message from Acting Sergt. Sheppard, Bell Island, to the effect that Edward Dwyer, aged 18 years, had been accidentally struck by [ore] car [at] No. 4 at the mines 11 o’clock in the morning, and succumbed to the injuries received about an hour later. Deceased was the son of Mr. Philip Dwyer, an employee of the company.
His headstone at St. Edward's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kelligrews reads:

"Edward Dwyer, died May 31, 1927, aged 18 1/2 years."
Walter Dwyer, 20, of Bell Island, died May 1, 1924 of electrocution in No. 3 Mine:

​NOTE: There were 2 Death Records issued for him.
Information from his Death Record for Harbour Main District:
“Walter Dwyer, 20; death date: May 1, 1924; place od death: Bell Island; cause of death: killed in mines; physician: Dr. Lynch; clergy: Rev. P. Kelly; place of birth and burial: Kelligrews.”

Information from his Death Record for St. John’s District:
“Walter Dwyer, 17; death date: May 1, 1924; place of death: Bell Island; cause of death: electrocuted; place of birth: Bell Island (?); place of burial: Kelligrews; registered by J.J. McGrath.” [Some discrepancies with his age, but his headstone, erected by his parents, says age 20.]
 
Bown, 1924, p. 3, col. 2, btm:
The year’s first fatal accident occurred in No. 3 Mine on May 1 when Walter Dwyer, 18-year old resident of the West Mines, was electrocuted while driving one of the hoisting engines underground. He was buried at Kelligrews.
 
From The Evening Telegram, May 2, 1924, p. 6, col. 2, top:
Tragic Accident at Bell Island
Walter Dwyer Instatnly Killed Through Contact with High Tension Switch.
As a result of contact with a high tension switch, Walter Dwyer, aged 18 years, was instantly killed at Bell Island yesterday. Six thousand volts passed through the body of the unfortunate young man. The accident occurred at 4 o’clock in No. 3 Mine. The deceased, son of Philip Dwyer, West Wabana, was a general favourite on the Iron Island, a member of the C.C.C. and a prominent footballer.
His headstone at St. Edward's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kelligrews reads:

"Erected by his Father & Mother to the Memory of Walter J. Dwyer, died May 1st, 1924, aged 20 1/2 years."

​Photo on Find-A-Grave website.
Patrick Moriar[i]ty, of Conception Bay North, died March 3, 1908 from dynamite blast accident of February 29th in Scotia Company’s No. 2 Slope [No. 6 after 1920]:

NOTE: Reports of Moriar[i]ty's death are contradictory and lacking in details such as his first name, age, death date and home town. John Hammond gave his name as Bernard and residence as Harbour Grace, but I did not find any official vital statistics records for either a Bernard or Patrick Moriar[i]ty for this date, however, several Evening Telegram reports gave his name as Patrick. [Presumably, that was the name given them by locals.] His body was reported to have been taken home “up Conception Bay” on March 3rd, so he probably died that day, as there is a March 3rd Evening Telegram report that had him still alive up to that point. One of the newspaper reports said there were two Moriarity brothers involved in the accident, but did not give a first name for the other brother, only the initial “D.” The Harbour Grace Standard referred to the victim as “Bernard Moriarty of Carbonear,” further muddying the water on his first name, but making it seem that he was not a resident of Harbour Grace. No headstone was found for him.

From Bown, 1908, p. 24, col. 3, btm to p. 25, col. 1, top:
The fatalities started on Jan. 24... Then came the accident involving the deaths of Bulger, Deer, Moriarty. …an inquiry into the explosions. They were blamed on dynamite called ‘rippite.’...

From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 2, col. 3, btm:
Latest Re Bell Island Accident - There were seven men in the room when the accident occurred. Bulger and Deer being quite close to the explosion received the full force of it.…two Moriaritys (brothers), …Patrick Moriarity is the only one seriously injured. He is in precarious condition, a piece of ore having penetrated his flesh under the ribs on the left side.…Bulger and Deer died within an hour of each other Saturday night.” [Sat. Feb. 29]

From the Evening Telegram, March 3, 1908, p. 6, top right:
The Bell Island Accident - …caused the death of two men, and wounded five others, one seriously. The accident occurred at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday [Feb. 29]…Bulger, one of the victims…The other men were 20 to 30 feet farther back in the room shovelling. Their names are Bernard Corbett, G. French, Patrick Moriarity, D. Moriarity (brothers) and Thomas Evilly… The other [surviving] men’s injuries were slight except Patrick Moriarity, whose condition is serious [as of this March 3rd reporting] his abdomen being penetrated by a piece of ore.
 
From the Evening Telegram, March 4, 1908, p. 4, col. 5, btm:
By The Way – Body Taken Home. The body of the late J. [sic: P] Moriarity, who died from his injuries received at Bell Island recently, was taken to his home up Conception Bay by the S.S. Mary yesterday. [ie. Tuesday the 3rd; he probably died March 3rd.]

From the Harbour Grace Standard, March 6, 1908, p. 4, col. 3, top:
Bernard [sic: Patrick] Moriarty of Carbonear…His body was brought to Carbonear on Monday [March 2nd. This contradicts The Evening Telegram of March 4th which indicated his body was taken “home” on Tuesday, March 3rd.]

To read more about this and other accidents of 1908, click the button below:
​Randall Skanes, 57, of Bell Island, died on October 8, 1949 from being hit by runaway ore cars in No. 6 Mine:

From The Daily News, Oct. 11, 1949, p. 1:
A fatal accident occurred in No. 6 Mine, Bell Island on Saturday [Oct. 8] afternoon claiming the lives of Randall Skanes, foreman, and James Butler, when a line of 12 ore cars diverted, the cause of which is still unknown, into No. 77 landing where a crew of 12 workmen were about to finish operations on the afternoon shift. The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. when the line of cars was going down from the surface and when, at the entrance of landing 77, instead of continuing along the line of track, diverted into the landing. As the line of cars came within hearing distance of the workmen, and knowing that no cars were to have entered the shaft, a general alarm was given. 10 of the men on the landing succeeded in reaching safety but Skanes and Butler were hit by the cars, receiving injuries which proved fatal. Skanes was killed outright. Butler, who was rendered unconscious, was immediately brought to the surface and taken to the Company Surgery, where he was attended to by Dr. Templeman but, as a result of injuries received, he passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Randall Skanes was in his 58th year and resided at The Front. He leaves to mourn a wife and 12 children, four of whom are married, and the youngest being eight years of age. James Butler was 25 years of age, and is survived by a wife and two children residing at the East End, Bell Island. The funeral services of the two victims were held on Sunday afternoon and were largely attended. Butler was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, while Skanes was interred in that of the Church of England. Today, a Court of Inquiry will be held at Bell Island into the cause of the fatal accident, and an Inspector will be going over to the Island this morning to be present at the proceedings.
Peter Wade, 30, of Conception Harbour, died July 10, 1913 at the General Hospital, St. John's of injuries received (date of accident unknown) when he was run over by ore cars near the Dominion Company Main Office [located at east end of No. 2 Road in 1913]:
 
Note: I did not find any official vital statistics records or a headstone for Peter Wade. Other than the report (below) in Bown, and his inclusion in Hammond's list of fatalities, I could not find any records for the death of a Peter Wade, and he was not mentioned in two articles in the July 13th issue of the Evening Telegram, where both Peter Winter’s death and “Frederick” O’Donnell’s injury were mentioned. However, some details of Peter Winter’s accident overlap with Bown’s description of the Peter Wade accident; did Bown get these two accidents/deaths mixed up? I also posted an inquiry about him in The Oak Tree-Conception Harbour Facebook Group and the Bell Island Genealogy Group but got no response to either post.

From Bown, 1913, p. 42, col. 2, btm:
Peter Wade, 30, of Conception Harbour, died in the General Hospital on July 10 from injuries received when he was run over by the cars near the Dominion Office. Peter Winters [sic: Winter] 20, of Pool’s Island, was killed the same day when he was struck when he was struck by an ore car while standing on the rear end of a trip of cars while tramming. Frank O’Donnell, son of the late Magistrate, had a narrow escape at the Dominion Machine Shop when he was caught in the shaft belting, but escaped with a broken arm.
​MEN INJURED IN MINING ACCIDENTS BUT RECOVERED
​Accident of February 29, 1908: To see more about this accident, go to the page "Mining Accidents Generally."​

Accident of March 4, 1910 that killed Patrick Abbott:
 
From Bown, 1910, p. 31, col. 2, btm:
“Patrick Abbott, John Morris, Joseph Porter, and Samuel Smith were injured on March 4 in a dynamite blast caused by miss-holes in the Dominion mines. Abbott died of his injuries 10 days later.”
 
From Evening Telegram, March 15, 1910, p. 6, col. 2, btm:
“Injured Man Dies.
Patrick Abbott, one of the miners who was injured at Bell Island last week by an explosion, died of his injuries yesterday [ie. March 14]. The other men, John Morris, Joe Porter and Samuel Smith, who were injured at the same time, age getting better.”
Accident of April 27, 1938:

From The Daily News, Apr. 28, 1938, p. 1:
​"One Man Killed And 7 Others Badly Injured.
... Gas accumulation said to be cause ... One of the wort accident for a number of years occurred yesterday morning at Bell Island in No. 6 Mine, when, as a result of an explosion of gas in room 77, Samuel Chaytor, aged 25, married with a wife and two children, living at east end of Bell Island, but a resident of Chamberlains, lost his life and seven men are now at the General Hospital suffering from burns and shock.
The men suffering from shock and burns are Bernard Hedderson, aged 18, single, living at the Green, Bell Island; Richard Singleton, aged 26, married with wife and two children, living at West Mines; Martin Moriarity, aged 28, married with wife and two children, living at the Green; Charles Skeans of St. John’s, aged 42, married with wife and 10 children; Frank Bowdring, aged 26, single, living at the Front; Robert Bowdring, aged 65, with wife and 8 children, living at the Front; William Reynolds, aged 41, married with wife and 7 children, a resident of Riverhead, Harbour Grace…
….As soon as the explosion was heard, all the miners in the vicinity rushed to the scene and they succeeded in rescuing seven men, who were burnt badly and some later located the body of Samuel Chaytor and removed it from the room. The body of Samuel Chaytor was badly burned and had also suffered head injuries.
…accompanied by Dr. Templeman and Nurse Somerton…


​and another Methane Gas Explosion:

​From The Daily News, Dec. 15, 1954, p. 7: [I have photos of this.]
Tragedy in the Mines
Four Bell Island Miners suffered hand and facial burns Friday morning [Dec. 10th] as a result of an explosion of methane gas in No. 6 Slope. 
The men are Peter Cantwell, Bell Island, James Mercer, Upper Island Cove, George Swain, Broad Cove, Bay-de-Verde, and Theodore Smale, who now resides on Bell Island but whose home town is Londonderry, Ireland. 
Immediately following the accident, which occurred shortly after 9 o'clock, the men were rushed to the Company Surgery for treatment and later conveyed to the General Hospital in St. John's.