Beschreibung:

American, ca 1937-1938. 14K gold open-face case, 23-jewel, with 5 adjustments. 40 dwt, including movement. Dial signed Hamilton, with auxiliary dial at 6 o'clock position. Case engraved with the initials GAE. The cuvette is engraved Awarded / to / Gustaf A. Erickson / by / Oliver Iron Mining Co. / for / Heroic Service / Pabst Mine / Ironwood, Mich. / September 1926. The watch is accompanied by a karat gold chain, approx. 11 in. long, 10.7 dwt. As indicated by the engraving, this pocket watch was presented to Mining Captain Gustaf A. Erickson for his bravery and contribution to the rescue of miners involved in the September 24, 1926 disaster that occurred at the Pabst Iron Mine in Ironwood, MI. The incident involved the unexpected collapse of a mine shaft containing 46 iron ore miners, and 3 miners were killed in the initial collapse while the remaining 43 survivors were entombed alive for 129 hours. Captain Erickson and another unidentified miner had come up from the level where the men were trapped about five minutes before the cave-in commenced and were therefore spared. After signals were heard from the miners trapped inside, the rescue efforts began, and 5 days later, the last miner was removed from the rubble. The Pabst Mine Disaster made national headlines in the United States and is considered one of the greatest mine rescues in history. A November 20, 1969 article published in the Ironwood Daily Globe discusses the disaster, and references Captain Erickson, among other men, who aided in the rescue efforts by entering a neighboring shaft and climbing to within speaking distance of the trapped men so they could talk them through the ordeal. The article also states that gold watches and medals were presented to 22 other miners who played leading parts in the rescue, including Captain Erickson. Provenance: Descended Directly in the Family of Gustaf A. Erickson Condition: Working condition; hinge is intact but weak.