West Driefontein – Ordeal by Water – Gold Fields of South Africa Mining Disaster History

West Driefontein – Ordeal by Water by A. P. Cartwright is a dramatic historical account of one of the most serious mining emergencies in South African gold mining history. The book documents the flooding crisis at the West Driefontein mine and the extraordinary rescue and engineering efforts undertaken to save trapped miners and stabilise the workings.

Published in South Africa for Gold Fields of South Africa Limited, the work provides a detailed narrative of the events, the geological challenges posed by water in the dolomite formations, and the coordinated efforts of engineers, miners, and management during the crisis. The volume is illustrated with contemporary photographs taken by press and mining photographers including Gunther Cassel and contributors from Mining News, The Sunday Express, and Die Transvaler.

West Driefontein – Ordeal by Water forms an important record of South Africa’s deep-level gold mining industry and is sought after by collectors of mining history, industrial heritage, and South African historical publications.

Printed in South Africa by J. G. Ince & Son (Pty.) Ltd. for Gold Fields of South Africa Limited.

Condition – Very Good

Cloth boards and spine show moderate wear and light handling marks, with some fading and minor edge wear. The binding remains sound and structurally solid. Internally the pages are clean and well preserved with only light age toning, and the text and photographic content remain clear and com