Arctic adventurers on display
THE incredible adventure of Bo'ness miners who went on an Arctic Circle expedition 90 years ago is told in a new exhibition at the town's library.
In 1919 a 13-strong group of volunteers from Bridgeness Coal Company spent the summer mining in the ''no man's land'' archipelago of Spitsbergen.
Bridgeness owner Dr Henry Cadell was also a director of the Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate, established to search for coal and other
minerals on the islands.
His men had set sail from Leith on a ship borrowed from the Admiralty with a team that included scientists and a bagpiper.
Among their supplies were four wooden huts from Thomson and Balfour's Victoria Sawmill that the men called home on Spitsbergen; these remain
to this day.
The men worked twelve-hour shifts and also fitted in duck-stalking plus the rescue of a party member, who had a near miss with a hidden crevasse when trying to reach the top of a glacier.
After the rigours of World War One, their Arctic experiences were said to resemble a holiday by comparison and loved ones in Bo'ness were kept reassured by radio contact.
Last Tuesday William Cadell, Dr Cadell's grandson, and his wife Mary Jean viewed the Bo'ness Library display, which includes maps, photographs, copies of the miner's contract, Bo'ness Journal extracts, and sketches by prominent geologist Dr Cadell who went out with another party in 1920.
His visit was marked with the naming of Cadell Bay, Mount Cadell and the Bridgeness Outcrop.
Visitors can also watch an interview with the late fore-man George Miller, recorded in the 1970s when he was 90.
Bo'ness librarian Christine Sinn, who sailed round Spitsbergen herself 10 years ago and is curator of the exhibition. said: "That gives a first-hand interpretation - it was a major discovery in the archives at Callendar House."
The exhibition is free and runs until October 17 - for opening hours call 01506 778520 or visit the libraries section at www.falkirk.gov.uk
editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk
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Friday 18 May 2012
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