Information on back of original photograph - 3/5/23 water pump in no 2 tunnel
Man (unidentified) at waterpump in No.2 Tunnel, 3 May 1923
Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”
Written on back of one of the copies with dark blue felt-tip pen - After the inquest on the seven victims of the Mangahao Tunnel tragedy: The coffins with the remains being placed on a lorry before going to Shannon and Palmerston North. from Arapeti A shockong tragedy occurred in works connected with the Mangahao hydro-electric power scheme last week resulting in the asphyxiation of seven men. Fatal fumes from an oil engine accumulated in the Arapeti No 2 Tunnel. Two men were overcome by fumes, and five others who went to search for them also suffocated.
Stamped on back of this copy with purple ink - Shannon Centennial 1887 – 1987
Typed on piece of paper that was attached to this copy - After the inquest on the seven victims of the Mangahao Tunnel tragedy: the coffins with the remains being placed on a lorry before goint to Shannon and Palmerston North from Arapeti; A shockong tragedy occurred in works connected with the Mangahao Hydro-electric power scheme last week resulting in the asphyxiat- ion of seven men. Fatal fumes from an oil engine accumulated in the Arapeti No.2. tunnel. Two men were overcome by fumes, and five others who went to search for them also suffocated. Taken from The Auckland Weekly. July 1922.
Tunnel Tragedy – Coffins being loaded onto lorry at Arapeti, 1922 1 B&W photo print, copy (plus additional copy)
Coffins are being carried uphill to lorry (right) from building (left) possibly the YMCA hut where dances were often held.
Written on side of truck - ‘DENNIS’ 4 TON MODEL N.Z. Express Co. Ltd.
Truck has solid rubber tyres.
This tragedy occurred on 2 July 1922. Pages 114 & 115 in book – “From Bush & Swamp” has the full story of this tragedy Pages 258 in book – “Horowhenua County and its People” also has the story. The 7 deceased men are identified as: J. Bernard (‘Bernie’) Butler (pump man), A.E. Maxwell (tunnel foreman), F. (‘Jock’) & Philip Graham, W.R. (‘Triggy’) Miller (assistant engineer), Fred Birss and his son, W. (‘Billy’) Birss.
Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”
Printed on front of mounting board, top right, with black ink: “P 113”
Typed on piece of paper glued to back: “P. 113. Four men at working face in No. 2 tunnel. Nine men were killed in this tunnel, seven at one time by foul air. P.N.P.L.”
Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “Four men at working face in No. 2 tunnel. Nine men were killed in this tunnel, seven of them in a single incident when ventilation system broke down. G.L. Adkin photo (P.Nth. Pub. Lib. Collection. MGH 205)”
Used in book – ‘Horowhenua County and its People’, page 280, with caption - Workers in No. 2 tunnel at head of pipeline. Nine men died here, seven in a single tragic occurrance of foul air. PNPL.
Four unidentified men working at the face in the No. 2 tunnel, Mangahao, 1920’s. Nine men were killed during the construction of this tunnel, seven of them in a single incident when the ventilation system broke down.
1 B&W photo print copy, mounted
Used in book – ‘Horowhenua County and its People’, page 280
Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”
Typed below original photo on one of the copies - ...e terrible tunnel tragedy at Mangahao Hydro Electric Works which resulted in seven men being … ... entering Shannon on the way to Palmerston North
Stamped on the back of this copy with black ink - Mrs. Dalzell’s collection
Written on the back of another copy with dark blue felt-tip pen - The terrible Tunnel Tragedy at Mangahao Hydro works. which resulted in seven men being asphyxiated The funeral of the men entering Shannon on the way to Palmerston North. Ballance Street going To turn into Venn St.
Stamped on back of this copy with purple ink - Shannon Centennial 1887 – 1987
Typed on piece of paper sellotaped to this copy - The terrible Tunnel tragedy at Mangahao Hydro works which resulted in seven men being asphyxiated. The funeral of the men entering Shannon on the way to the Church. Going down Ballance Street, to turn into Venn Street.
Tunnel Tragedy – procession escorting lorries with coffins into Shannon, 1922 1 B&W photo print, copy (plus 2 additional copies)
Groups of men walking beside both sides of the 2 lorries. On Ballance Street turning into Venn Street.
Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”