Bonnie Vale mine history

The goldfield is named after a prospector called Bonnie, who discovered the site, after picking up a 7oz nugget in May or June 1894. In the public domain, it appears to only be remembered for a famous mine rescue in 1907. On March 19 1907, a thunderstorm hit the goldfield, and the Westralia Mine was flooded. 160 men working underground scrambled to safety. One, Modesto Varischetti, was left behind. Initially he was given up for dead, but then tapping could be heard. Pumping equipment was rushed to the site, but the estimated time of one week to clear the water, there was little hope for his survival. Modesto was trapped at the 1000ft level. The son of the mine manager suggested divers, and two were brought in from Kalgoorlie. The only air hose long enough was in Fremantle, 560 kilometres away, and the State Government ordered a special train delivery of the hose to Coolgardie. At the time, it set a world record pace over the distance. The divers were Frank Hughes and Thomas Hearn; and the rescue was organised by mine engineer Herbert Hoover, who was to later become President of the United States. Several dives were made starting on day 4 of the emergency. The divers reached Modesto, who had survived in an air pocket, on day 6. Essential supplies were delivered to him. On day 9, enough water had been pumped out, for Modesto to be guided by the divers through waist to neck high water, and knee deep sludge to the surface. Modesto eventually went back to work, and died aged 57 from fibrosis, another danger to miners. A plaque marks the site.