Round the clock, rescuers dropped metal cylinders, dubbed "carrier pigeons, " down the boreholes taking food, water, clothes and letters to the miners.

CNN: Chilean miners waited for death

Supplies -- such as food, clothing and letters -- are sent down to the miners via metal cylinders known as "carrier pigeons" through the second bore hole.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Officials packed long metal tubes -- called "carrier pigeons" -- with oxygen, vaccines and sustenance, liquid proteins and vitamins at first because the men were not ready for solid food.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS