Modesto VarischettiPrint Page 
The tombstone was erected by the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society in memory of Modesto Varischetti who was trapped in a mine for nine days in 1907. Varischetti died from fibrosis in 1920.
Modesto Varischetti was a gold miner in Western Australia who was trapped in a gold mine for nine days after a thunderstorm flooded the mine in March 1907. Varischetti survived in an air pocket until he was rescued. The gold mine was located at Bonnievale near Coolgardie, Western Australia.
A chance remark by the mine manager`s son to use a diver triggered a dramatic rescue which involved two divers, Hughes and Kearn, and Herbert Hoover a mine enginer later to become President of the United States. The nearest air hose long enough to reach Varischetti was in Fremantle, 560 kilometres away. The West Australian government ordered a special train, the "Rescue Special", which cut nearly two hours off the 12-hour run to Coolgardie, setting a world record for the distance.
A diver using a long air hose and deep-sea diving equipment first reached Varischetti five days after the flooding and provided the trapped miner with food, candles and letters of encouragement.
Location
| Address: | Memorial Drive, Kalgoorlie Cemetery , Kalgoorlie, 6430 |
|---|---|
| State: | WA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -30.739233 Long: 121.454024 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Grave |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Tragedy |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 19-March-1920 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 28-March-1920 |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1987 |
|---|
MODESTO
VARISCHETTI
Born 24. 10. 1874 Gorno Italy
Died 3. 9. 1920 Kalgoorlie WA
Entombed By Floodwaters
Underground At The
WESTRALIA GOLD MINE
BONNIEVALE
19. 3. 1907 - 28. 3. 1907
Erected 1987 by the
Eastern Goldfields
Historical Society
