Bates No. 1 Mine Explosion

united states mine rescue association

See more disasters
from this year

Mine Disaster Calendar

Bates Coal Mining Company
Bates No. 1 Mine Explosion

Bates, Scott County, Arkansas
November 19, 1936
No. Killed – 5

USBM Final Investigation Report (1.3 Mb)

See also:

Bates No. 1 Mine Explosion, Aug. 27, 1940

4 Miners Die in Explosion
Hammond Times, Indiana
November 20, 1936

Bates, Ark., Nov. 20. -- (INS) -- Four men were killed instantly and another was seriously injured in a coal mine explosion here yesterday.

The dead are:

John Delps, Howe, Okla.
Bill Goesky, Bates
Joe Taylor, Heavener, Okla.
Tom Ellis, Bates

John Winters, Bates, was seriously injured. He was taken to a hospital in Fort Smith.

Officials of the Bates Coal Mining Company, where the accident occurred, said only five men were in the mine at the time of the explosion. A crew of 100 men was to enter the mine within an hour or so however.

The explosion occurred, according to the mine officials, when a cutting machine pierced a gas pocket in the company's Mine No. 1.

Bates Coal Mining CompanyBates No. 1 Mine Explosion

Bates Coal Mining Company
Bates No. 1 Mine Explosion