MINING WEST AUSTRALIANA

Modesto Varischetti (24 October 1874 – 3 September 1920) was an Italian miner who was trapped in a gold mine for nine days after a thunderstorm flooded it in March 1907. The 12-level mine was located at Bonnievale, near Coolgardie, Western Australia.^[1]

Varischetti was trapped deep in the mine and survived by retreating into an air pocket until he was rescued.^[2] Pumping and mine equipment were then able to slowly lower the water level. A diver, Frank Hughes, using a long air hose and deep-sea diving equipment, first reached Varischetti five days after the flooding and provided him with food, clothes, candles, messages, and letters of encouragement.^[1] After nine days, the water level was finally low enough for Varischetti to walk to safety.

Herbert Hoover, who would later become President of the United States of America, was a mining engineer at nearby Kanowna and was involved in the mine rescue.^[1]

2007 Special Revised Commemorative Edition. 

• First published by St George Books, Perth, W.A. in hardcover 1986 ; softcover ed. 1987.)

• 227 p. : ill., ports. ; 22 cm.
• Bibliography: p. [193]-203.
• Varischetti, Modesto, 1874-1920
• Rescues — Western Australia — Bonnie Vale
• Gold mines and mining — Western Australia — Bonnie Vale — Accidents