1930 — March 26, Crown Coal Co, Yukon Mine coal dust explosion, Arnettsville, WV– 12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-31-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–12 Bureau of Mines, US Dept. of Commerce. Final Report. Coal Dust Explosion Yukon Mine…
–12 CDC. NIOSH Mining. “Mining Disasters: 1839 to Present.”
–12 United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Yukon Mine.
–12 WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. WV Mind Disasters 1884 to Present
Narrative Information
Bureau of Mines: “A coal dust explosion occurred in the Yukon mine of the Crown Coal Co., Arnettsville, W. Va., about 2:06 a.m., March 26, 1930, in which 12 men lost their lives. The explosion was local in extent, involving only the 9 Right – 1 main entry and workings, although some pressure was exerted on ventilation doors on the left of 1 main entries. The explosion was probably caused when a large pillar fall caused a cloud of coal dust, perhaps together with a small percentage of methane, to come in contact with sparks or arcs from a cable reel locomotive. Rock-dust is not used in this mine to reduce the explosibility of the coal dust, nor is water used in wetting down the dust….” (p. 1.)
“Coroner’s Verdict:
“The coroner’s jury concluded that ‘the following men lost their lives… – (pp. 18-19)
- H. Livingston Night Foreman
- N. Casteel Motorman
Chas. Jacobs Brakeman
Sisco Franco Trackman
Henry Willis Loader
Wm. Thompson “
- H. Harvey “
Andy Smith “
Frank Maricus “
Adam Cult “
Ed. Groves “
Hillard Nelson “
(Bureau of Mines, US Department of Commerce. Final Report – Coal Dust Explosion. Yukon Mine, Crown Coal Company, Arnettsville, Monongalia County, W. VA.)
CDC NIOSH: “03/26/1930 Yukon Arnettsville WV 12 [killed] Coal Explosion UG [underground mine] Coal.”
Sources
Bureau of Mines, US Department of Commerce. Final Report – Coal Dust Explosion. Yukon Mine, Crown Coal Company, Arnettsville, Monongalia County, W. VA.
CDC. NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Mining. “Mining Disasters: 1839 to Present.” Accessed 1-31-2025 at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/MineDisasters/Table
United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Crown Coal Company, Yukon Mine Explosion, Arnettsville, Monongalia County, West Virginia, March 26, 1930, No. Killed – 12.” Accessed 1-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/yukon_1930.htm
West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. WV Mine Disasters 1884 to Present. MHS&T, October 9, 2008 update. At: http://www.wvminesafety.org/disaster.htm