West Virginia Coal Mine Disasters
The history of coal mining in West Virginia is deeply intertwined with tales of hardship, resilience, and, tragically, devastating disasters. The pursuit of this valuable resource, deeply embedded within the Appalachian landscape, has come at a tremendous human cost. Before the advent of stringent safety regulations, particularly before the 1920s, the life of a coal miner in West Virginia was fraught with peril. This was a time when the industry was still in its infancy, and the importance of worker safety was often overshadowed by the drive for profit.
The Perils of the Deep
The coal mines of West Virginia presented a multitude of hazards to those who toiled within their dark and unforgiving depths. Accidents stemmed from a variety of sources, painting a grim picture of the daily risks faced by miners:
- Poisonous and Explosive Gases: Leaks of deadly gases such as hydrogen sulfide and explosive natural gases, including the notorious firedamp or methane, were ever-present threats. These invisible killers could quickly incapacitate or ignite with devastating consequences.
- Dust Explosions: Coal dust, seemingly innocuous, could become a highly explosive substance when suspended in the air. A single spark could trigger a chain reaction, engulfing entire sections of the mine in a fiery inferno.
- Structural Instability: The very earth itself posed a danger. Collapsing mine stopes, mining-induced earthquakes, and flooding were all potential catastrophes that could trap or crush miners without warning.
- Mechanical Failures: The reliance on machinery, often poorly maintained or improperly used, introduced another layer of risk. Malfunctioning safety lamps, faulty electrical equipment, and the use of improper explosives underground could all lead to deadly incidents.
- Other Hazards: Miners also faced the dangers of fire and smoke, cave-ins, snowslides, gas inhalation, and equipment failures such as cage falls, mine car accidents, and hoisting mishaps.
Imagine the daily life of a miner: descending into the earth, navigating a labyrinth of tram cars, steam lines, and electric wiring. The air hung heavy and hot, thick with the smell of coal dust and the constant vibration of powerful drills. Supporting timbers, often poorly placed or weakened by water and rot, offered a fragile defense against the immense weight of the earth above. A minor shift in the earth’s crust could send tons of rock crashing down, trapping or crushing those unfortunate enough to be in its path.
The Canary in the Coal Mine
The presence of odorless and tasteless methane gas was a constant concern. To detect this invisible threat, miners relied on canaries, small birds highly sensitive to toxic gases like carbon monoxide and methane. These feathered sentinels were carried into the mines, and their distress or death served as a warning of impending danger. This practice continued until the 1980s, when handheld electronic detectors replaced the canaries, marking a technological advancement in mine safety.
In the early days, mine accidents were often attributed to divine will or the carelessness of the miners themselves. This attitude, prevalent among mine owners, the courts, and government agencies, persisted well into the 20th century, hindering efforts to improve safety standards and hold negligent parties accountable.
Early Attempts at Regulation
The first attempt to regulate coal mining in West Virginia came in 1883 when the West Virginia Legislature passed a law mandating the appointment of a qualified mine inspector by the governor. Oscar A. Veazey was appointed to this position, tasked with preparing an annual report on the number of mines, employees, and a summary of his activities. He was also responsible for recording all mine fatalities and the names of the victims, which he diligently completed in 1883. The following year, Veazey proposed the first comprehensive mine safety laws, but these proposals were not enacted.
Since 1883, official records show that more than 21,000 miners have perished in West Virginia’s coal mines. In the early years, most of these deaths were recorded as single fatalities, and many were not thoroughly investigated. However, in 1883, after 20 miners lost their lives, the legislature established the West Virginia Department of Mines and appointed Oscar Veazey as the first mine inspector. That same year, the first Annual Report was prepared, and the following year, Veazey proposed the first comprehensive mine safety laws, but these were not passed into law.
The First Major Disaster
On January 21, 1886, West Virginia experienced its first significant mining accident at the Mountain Brook mine in Newburg. A methane gas and dust explosion, ignited by an open light, claimed the lives of 39 men. This tragic event was classified as the state’s first mining "disaster," marking the beginning of a long and sorrowful history.
In 1887, the Legislature passed the first significant mine safety laws, but they were not published until 1897.
Over the next decade, coal production surged from just over two million tons in 1883 to more than 11 million tons by 1894. That year, the United Mine Workers went on strike in West Virginia.
Another disaster struck in Standard, West Virginia, on November 20, 1894. When coal was blasted using a dangerous method called "shooting from the solid," where coal was blasted loose without first undercutting it, eight men were killed. Just two years prior, three men had died there in the same manner.
The Boom and the Bust of Safety
By 1900, coal production had doubled to over 22 million tons. This boom also ushered in a period of heightened danger. In the early 1900s, a mine worker’s chance of being crushed, asphyxiated, burned, blasted, drowned, or similarly maimed or killed was over 100%.
In 1905, the West Virginia Department of Mines was created. Two years later, a Mining Commission was appointed to propose new legislation. These laws were printed in the languages of the miners that same year. Though the laws were intended to improve and monitor mine safety, disasters continued to occur.
A significant factor contributing to the problem was the recruitment of unskilled workers, including immigrants who had never worked in mines before.
On January 29, 1907, an explosion occurred at the Stuart Mine in Fayette County when an open light ignited gas. This explosion, a result of disregarding safety rules, killed 85 men, most of whom were unskilled workers.
The Monongah Catastrophe
December 6, 1907, marked a day of unparalleled tragedy in American mining history. The interconnected Number 6 and 8 mines of the Fairmont Coal Company at Monongah exploded, claiming the lives of 361 miners. This remains the worst coal mining disaster in U.S. history. The force of the explosions was so immense that it was felt as far as eight miles away. People and animals were violently thrown by the force of the event, and many buildings were destroyed. To this day, officials are unsure of the exact cause, but many believe an equipment spark may have ignited dust or gases in the air. Of those killed, only 74 were classified as "Americans."
The public outcry that followed the Monongah disaster led to Congressional action, resulting in the creation of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1910. However, this action came too late for many.
That year saw the largest number of major mine disaster events in the United States. At this time, the Pullman Company created the first mine rescue railroad cars for the U.S. Bureau of Mines. These cars were remodeled Pullman sleeping cars. The chief work of the car personnel was to investigate the cause of a mine disaster as quickly as possible, assist in the rescue of miners, and provide first aid.
In the following years, the cars continuously visited mining centers all over the nation to present demonstrations, lectures, and training. When a mine disaster occurred, the car was moved by a special locomotive or connected to the first train available.
In the first five years, 300 mine accidents, including explosions, fires, and cave-ins, were investigated, 230,000 attended lectures or demonstrations, 34,000 were given training in rescue and first-aid methods, and 11,700 training certificates were issued, increasing continuously from 509 in 1911 to 4,258 in 1915.
The Eccles Mine Disaster
The second worst mine explosion in West Virginia occurred on April 28, 1914, at the New River Collieries Company’s Number 5 mine in Eccles. The gas explosion happened when a miner decided to eliminate a wall of coal to create a shortcut. However, the controlled explosion cut off ventilation to the mining areas, and an open flame headlamp or lantern ignited the buildup of methane gas, triggering a tremendous explosion. The tragedy claimed the lives of 183 miners, and many of the bodies were trapped in the rubble for four days.
Between 1910 and 1920, 4,260 miners were killed in West Virginia, with 579 dying in massive explosions and fires.
Progress and Persistent Dangers
In the 1920s, new state and federal regulations and increased pressure for improved safety from the United Mine Workers began to create a safer environment. However, disasters still occurred, some with significant losses of life. In 1924, the Benwood Mine in Marshall County exploded, killing 119. Three years later, the Federal No. 3 mine at Everettville blew up, killing 111.
On January 10, 1940, 91 died in a methane explosion at the Pond Creek No. 1 mine at Bartley, McDowell County, shattering any illusion that major mine disasters had become a thing of the past.
In the 1950s, ten disasters were added to the terrible total. Notable among these were two explosions at the Pocahontas Fuel Company’s No. 35 mine in Bishop in 1957 and 1958, killing a total of 59 miners.
In the early 1960s, fires, roof falls, and flooding continued to take their toll, but the numbers were significantly lower than in previous years. For instance, a July 23, 1966, explosion at the Siltix Mine near Mount Hope killed seven miners, while 39 escaped.
The Farmington Disaster and Regulatory Reform
But just two years later, on November 20, 1968, another explosion occurred when the vast Consolidated No. 9 mine at Farmington exploded, killing 78. This event made it apparent that significant changes were still needed, leading Congress to pass the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969. West Virginia also tightened its rules and regulations. These changes at the state and federal levels finally made a major difference in coal mine safety and significantly reduced mine disasters.
On July 22, 1972, at the Blacksville No. 1 mine in Monongalia County, a fire occurred while a continuous mining machine was being moved to a new working section. Nine men working deep in the mine perished due to smoke and fumes that carried through the mine’s ventilation system.
Twenty years later, on March 19, 1992, another disaster occurred at the Blacksville No. 1 Mine. By that time, the mine was closed and being sealed. When drainage pipes were welded together and placed into the production shaft, a spark fell into the shaft, igniting methane gas, and four miners were killed.
The Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion
The last coal mining disaster occurred on April 5, 2010, at the Upper Big Branch Montcoal Eagle Mine in Naoma. The worst mine disaster in 40 years, the explosion killed 29 people.
To date, there have been 119 disasters at mines in West Virginia. Many more miners suffered disabling and lifelong injuries in nonfatal accidents.
A Legacy of Loss and Progress
Though the mining history in West Virginia is tragic, the state has provided our nation and the world with some of the finest bituminous coal found anywhere. Today, the coal industry exhibits a sense of responsibility – social, health, safety, and environmental – that is unmatched anywhere in the world.
Interestingly, there are more people killed in farming accidents in the U.S. today than in coal mining accidents.
The story of coal mining in West Virginia is a complex one, filled with both tragedy and triumph. It is a reminder of the human cost of progress and the importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. While the dangers of the past may not be entirely eliminated, the industry has come a long way in prioritizing safety and preventing future disasters.