Tank's Poetry
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united states mine rescue association
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Tank's Poetry |
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From the Google News Archives:  (news links open in a separate window)
105 Dead in Mine; Caught by Explosion The New York Times, New York January 13, 1909 The explosion is believed to have been caused by the use of oil lamps by new miners, who were employed to take the places of the fifty-one who were killed in an explosion in the same mine on Dec. 28. More than 200 men working on the day shift had entered the mine, and 100 of these were in a working apart from the one where their companions were killed. It was at first believed that these, too, had been killed, but a message late tonight to Gov. Dawson from Inspector Laing said that there are hopes of saving most of them. The rescuers have a hard task before them, as the explosion caused hundreds of tons of slate and coal to fall, cutting off all escape. The shaft they are in is now on fire, and the entombed men are in danger of suffocation. Forty-eight bodies have already been recovered. Most of them are Americans, but in the confusion only three have been recognized. They are John Paul, mine boss; Wilbur Hurley, and Elias Scott. All of the bodies were badly burned and identification of the men was made by means of effects upon their persons. The shock of the explosion shook houses for half a mile around and windows were blown out of many buildings. Mine Foreman Bowers, who was near the entrance, was blown from his feet by the explosion, but managed to crawl out safely, as did also Robert Smith, a miner. A train was rushed from this city to the scene of the disaster, carrying bratticing and other material to be used in the work of exploration and rescue. The debris from the explosion of two weeks ago had not been cleared away and twenty men were engaged in this work. Nineteen contract miners with their crews were at work in a new entry, and it is feared that all of these men were lost. Two brothers named Surratt of Speedwell, Va., who went to the mine at the time of the other explosion through curiosity and accepted positions, are in the mine. Bystanders at the time of the explosion say that immense clouds of soot and smoke gushed from the mine almost simultaneously with the detonation, and immediately were sucked back in enormous volumes into the mine. On the Tug River side, four miles from the main entrance, the smoke and flame gushed from the entry, burning the twigs and small limbs from trees that grew near. The damage to the mine cannot be estimated. On Dec. 28 an explosion occurred in this mine, which, up to that time, had been regarded as a model mine. On that occasion the cause of the explosion was not ascertained, and of the 51 victims the last body was brought to the surface only last Friday, after which the State mine inspectors declared that the mine was again safe and that work could be resumed. The majority of the miners who were engaged to resume work at the mine were Americans, with a few foreigners and some colored workers as laborers. Most of them were married and had families, and only recently moved to Switchback to go to work in the mines. It was stated that the mine was examined early today before the new shift went to work, and that it was reported to be perfectly safe. The Legislature now in session at Charlestown will institute a rigid investigation. Note: There were 67 killed in this disaster. |
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