1928 – May 25, Baltimore No. 5 Coal Mine Gas Explosion, Parsons/Wilkes-Barre, PA– 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-16-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Mine Safety and Health Admin. Historical Coal Mine Disasters in the Anthracite Region.
–10 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Mining Disasters: 1839 to…
–10 State of PA Dept. of Mines Annual Report. “Explosion of Gas at Baltimore No. 5…Coal…”
–10 United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Baltimore #5.
Narrative Information
State of PA Dept. of Mines Annual Report. “Explosion of Gas at Baltimore No. 5…Coal…”
“Another catastrophe with very serious results occurred May 25, 1928, when an explosion of gas took place in the Red Ash vein of the Conyngham shaft section, Baltimore No. 5 Colliery, Hudson Coal Company. Ten lives were lost in the explosion.
….
“Ignition of gas from burning feed4r. We are of the opinion that the point of ignition was at or near the face of the land line chamber, Miner No. 5104, George Oko’s place. We are of the opinion that after firing the blast that is mentioned in the testimony of McLaughlin, a feeder was lighted by this shot and was burning; that there was an accumulation of gas in the face of the cross-cut, or the high cavity along the rock fault; that due to the fan running it mixed the air with the gas at the high point, resulting in an explosive mixture; that upon the shutting of the door on the gangway outside of Mike Morga’s chamber…restored the ventilation to its normal course and brought the explosive mixture down into contact with the burning feeder, thereby causing the explosion.” (p.10)
Newspaper
New Castle News, PA. “Penetrate into Wrecked Mine to Recover Bodies.” 5-26-1928:
“Wilkes-Barre, Pa., May 26….The dead were:
- Vincent Miscavage, 25, Wilkes-Barre
- Daniel Gallagher, 23, Wilkes-Barre
- Daniel Norton, 29, Wilkes-Barre
- Lewis Olson, 30, Wilkes-Barre
- Michael Consavage, 31, Wilkes-Barre
- Morris Ryan, Parsons
- George Oka, 42, Parsons
- George Spatovitch, Parsons
“In the General Hospital here in a serious condition are:
- Joseph McLaughlin, 28, Wilkes-Barre
- Michael Monko, 26, Wilkes-Barre
- Michael Popvich, 38, Wilkes-Barre “
[This article is transcribed on United States Mine Rescue Association page.]
Sources
Mine Safety and Health Administration. Historical Coal Mine Disasters in the Anthracite Region (District 1 – Coal Mine Safety and Health). Arlington, VA: MSHA, U.S. Department of Labor. Accessed 1/3/2009 at: http://www.msha.gov/District/Dist_01/Fatals/HISTFAT.HTM
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Safety and Health Research.. Mining Disasters: 1839 to Present. NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2-26-2013 update. Accessed 2-16-2025 at:
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/MineDisasters/Table
State of Pennsylvania Department of Mines Annual Report. “Explosion of Gas at Baltimore No. 5 Colliery, Hudson Coal Company.” Accessed 2-16-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/Conyngham_Colliery_1928.pdf
United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Hudson Coal Company, Conyngham Colliery Explosion, aka Baltimore No. 5 Mine, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1928, No. Killed – 10.”