We operated SPECIAL EVENT STATION W9TY on Saturday, February 6, 2016 between 1700Z (11:00 CST) and 2300Z (17:00 CST) commemorating the Diamond, Illinois coal mine disaster of 1883. Check our listing in February QST. Both the scene of the disaster and our Special Event Station are located in the same county, Grundy County, Illinois. Here is a brief summary of what happened:
In the town of Diamond is a memorial marker to one of the worst coal mine disasters in Illinois that occurred on February 16, 1883. At about 11 AM, a three blast whistle was sounded after an unusual amount of water was discovered flowing at the bottom of the mineshaft. All families within several miles knew what it meant: the mine was flooding! In all, seventy-four men and boys perished leaving behind thirty-nine widows and ninety-three fatherless children. The memorial with a bronze plate containing the names of the victims was dedicated on September 6, 1926.
For the full story, follow this link:
http://hinton-gen.com/coal/grundy_diamond.html#disaster
Today, the monument is kept in good condition and the gardens filled with colorful plantings.
A nice certificate of accomplishment for your contact is available. Please indicate your QSO time, frequency, mode and signal report.
A certificate to be returned by email may be requested by sending an email to w9ty@arrl.net.
To receive a printed certificate, please send a self-addressed 9×12 envelope with three (3) ounces postage attached to:
Metro DX Club
c/o John Holmes
3810 N. Chamlin Dr.
Morris, IL 60450
USA