Tank's Poetry
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united states mine rescue association
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Tank's Poetry |
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On April 23, 1913, William McColligan, a member of a rescue crew of the Pittsburgh Coal Company, died while making an exploration trip ahead of fresh air after an explosion in the Cincinnati mine, operated by this company, in which 97 men were killed. McColligan and his crew of five men were equipped with Draeger helmet-type apparatus, which had been carried into the mine by a reserve crew, so that the apparatus men would be in good condition for advance work. After exploring a series of entries and starting back toward the fresh-air base McColligan collapsed. The other crew members tried to drag him to fresh air, but two of them went down in the attempt; however, they were able to get to their feet and stumble to the fresh-air base. Several men from the fresh-air base tried to reach McColligan without the use of apparatus but were unable to do so and his body was not recovered until after fresh air was directed into the place where he collapsed. Two physicians then worked on him for over an hour, using artificial respiration, electric batteries, and a pulmotor, without response. The apparatus worn by McColligan was examined by two representatives of the Bureau of Mines, who found that the flexible tube inserted in the thimble, directly over the injector, had been pulled out of its socket, thus permitting the toxic mine atmosphere to enter the apparatus. Source: Loss of Life Among Wearers of Oxygen Breathing Apparatus (April 1944) 
120 Known Dead, 100 Entombed in Mine Explosion The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA April 24, 1913 Seventy miners staggered over bodies and debris and into the fading sunlight shortly after 5 o'clock. Some managed to get out unassisted; others were carried out. The rescue work is in charge of the superintendent of the mine, William Carter. His son is dead in one of the headings. As far as can be ascertained, the miners who died were not killed by the explosion, but by gas, or afterdamp. An accumulation of gas in the mine is common at this time of the year because of seasonal changes in the weather, and this is believed to have been the primary cause of the explosion. No attempt is being made as yet to bring the bodies out of the mine. Rescue hands are being brought from every available source. The government workers are under the direction of the corps from Bruceton, near Courtney. Special details of police surround the three entrances to the mine, called the Courtney, Finleyville and Mingo entrances. Wives and children and other relatives of the dead and entombed miners have to be pushed back to prevent them from entering the burning mine. Their cries are heard for distances around the little mining community. Scene of Former Explosion The scene of today's horror is about ten miles from Marianna, where five years ago 154 miners were killed in an explosion. A special train was run from Pittsburgh to Courtney by the Pittsburgh Coal Company, bearing physicians, clergymen, undertakers and supplies of all kinds for rescue work. All rescue facilities from a radius of 50 miles were summoned and rushed to the mine. The explosion was so powerful that windows within several hundred yards of the mine were shattered. The mine is a slope digging, and has no shaft. The explosion deranged the fan house and destroyed all ventilation facilities. English Speakers Employed Every possible effort was made tonight to reach those who are entombed. The Courtney entrance is clogged up with debris, and behind this it is believed that there are scores of men who will die unless help reaches them within a few hours. At present there is no way of sending them water or of giving them air. The tapping is continued, and is evidently being made by many men. The crying and shouting is growing fainter. Unless fortune is with the rescuers, who are doing noble work, the death list is practically certain to run over 200 and perhaps 250. It is one of the worst disasters of its kind this part of the country has known. It is not the first time the Cincinnati mine has exploded and been afire. The worst accident to it occurred thirty years ago, when the fire extended for distances around and under the Monongahela River to the other side of the stream. The part of the mine where the explosion occurred is nearest the Courtney entrance and is burning fiercely. It is believed that most of the miners got away from this section, for those who perished were found by the rescuers several hundred yards away from the scene of the explosion. It is said by the officials of the company tonight that the mine was equipped according to the latest and best ideas of safety. Safety lamps were used by the miners. The cause is believed to have been natural and unavoidable, due entirely to atmospheric conditions. One of the first men to stagger out of the mine was Joseph Carter, son of Superintendent Carter. As soon as he could talk he gasped out the information to his father that he had crossed over the dead body of his brother, Thomas. Joseph is aged 22 and Thomas 25. Superintendent a Rescuer S. T. Holmes, a negro, aged 55, was another of the first to reach safety. He was near the chamber in which the explosion occurred and was driving a train of mining cars. His two sons were working nearby. All three were hurled to the ground by the force of the concussion. One of the sons was killed. The remaining son and the father arose and tore and crawled; there was more than 600 yards to a passage which led them to safety. Joseph Green, another miner, who reached the surface at 5 o'clock, reported that he had stepped over the dead body of his brother John, when he rushed away from the burning chamber. Forty bodies were found in one section of the mine by the rescuing parties. All of those who escaped or were rescued came out of the Mingo and Finleyville entrances. The Courtney entry was impossible. The body of Emile Leroy, a Frenchman, was the first to be identified, and is the only one so far. Most of those who were rescued were badly burned and were rushed off to hospitals. Many of the rescued men, who were only slightly burned, as soon as they were revived went back into the mine with the rescuers to guide them to where their unfortunate companions were lying. Three sections of the mine were found to be literally strewn with dead bodies, most of them so badly burned they could not be recognized. Robert Carter, a track layer, who escaped, tonight told the following story: I had been working at the head of No. 16 entry. After eating lunch I resumed work at 12:30 and had driven only two spikes when the explosion occurred. The concussion knocked me down and I was unconscious for 15 minutes.Later the other men reached the open. All were ill and dazed on account of the fumes in the mine. |
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