1932 – June 13, Splashdam No. 6 Coal Mine gas and dust explosion, Splashdam, VA — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-15-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Bureau of Mines, US Dept. of Commerce. Report of Gas and Dust Explosion…Splash Dam...
–10 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Mine Disasters.
–10 United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Splash Dam”
Narrative Information
Bureau of Mines, US Department of Commerce. Report of Gas and Dust Explosion…:
Introduction
“A gas and dust explosion ocourre4 about 8:30 a.m., Monday, June 13, 1932, in the No. 6 mine of the Splash Dam Coal Corporation, Splashdam, Virginia. The explosion was practically confined to the No. 6 main entry, and resulted in the death of the 10 men who were in the mine; of these one was killed outright by violence, 3 had severe burns, 3 slight burns and 3 were evidently killed by afterdamp[1] alone….” [p. 1.]
Summary of Evidence as to the Cause, Origin, and Propagation of the Explosion
“Appreciable quantities of gas had been encountered in the 1st east off 2 south, which necessitated the use of a line brattice for about 40 feet. However, its use had been discontinued for several days prior to the explosion, as the gas had greatly decreased. During the official inspection, and as shown by the samples taken, gas in appreciable quantities was found in the 1 east and the 2 south faces. The fan had been down for period long enough for gas to accumulate in explosive mixtures in several faces, particularly 2 south and 1 east off 2 south.
“In all probability, no inspection was made for gas beyond the curtains in 2 south.
“The air was not actively circulated past the faces of 2 south or 1 east, and the circulation was weak in the hallway.
“An accumulation of gas in the faces of 1 east and 2 south might have moved slowly into the return airway and rooms to the right of 2 south. Aided by leakage through the curtains, this accumulation might have reached an explosive stage in the haulway by the time the driller entered. Such a condition could have extended flame into 6 main and ignited the dust. The 6 main is on return air from 2 south to a point near 1 north, and it is likely that this region was filled with a mixture of dust and gas capable of propagating an explosion and already in suspension….” [pp. 18-19]
Men Killed In Explosion
- C. Dowdle Inside Foreman and Fireboss
- Elmer Null Track Cleaner
- Cecil Stump Track Cleaner
- D. Honaker Pump Man
- Roy Garrett Bailer
- Clyde Matney Bailer
- Delbert Willie Drill Helper
- Dave Adams Driller
- Drew Wallace Ventilation Man
- Roy Sproles Ventilation Man [p. 19]
Recommendations
“In order to prevent a recurrence of a similar disaster, the following recommendations are offered. The most urgent features have been discussed with the company officials.
- The fan should b operated continuously at least 12 hours previous to the beginning of any shift.
- Every open accessible part of the mine should be thoroughly and carefully examined for gas before anyone but the fire boss be permitted to enter.
- The findings of such inspections should be entered in a book kept on the surface for this purpose only. This report should be counter-signed by the foreman before any men are allowed to enter the mine.
- Only a standard size, magnetically-locked, approved safety lamp should be use, if a flame safety lamp is used as a gas detector.
- When accumulations of gas are found, such place or places should be cleared of standing gas by directing the ventilating current, and no persons should be permitted on the return side while this is being done.
- Approved portable electric cap lamps should be used exclusively by all men underground.
- A ‘no-smoking rule should be put into effect and strictly enforced.
- No trolley or power lines should be installed nearer than 300 feet of any working face or pillar.
- Every working place should be inspected for gas at least twice during each working shift, in addition to the pre-shift inspection.
- The ventilating current should be split so as to provide as much fresh air as possible to the active working places without its having to pass through robbed or abandoned areas. This could be done by driving another air course to connect with the 2nd air course of the 6th east which extends inby the 1st A better method would be by sinking an air shaft.
- Any workings, active or otherwise, which are not effectively and continuously ventilated should be sealed.
- Only permissible explosives should be used, fired electronically, and preferably after all men but the shot firer are out of the mine.
- Only incombustible material should be used for stemming, preferably clay secured outside the mine, or possibly rock dust.
- Every open, accessible part of the mine should be rock-dusted at least as far as the last open crosscut, and the rock-dusting should be maintained so that the non-combustible content shall be 65 per cent or more at all times….” (pp. 19-21)
Sources
Bureau of Mines, US Department of Commerce. Report of Gas and Dust Explosion in Mine No. 6, Splash Dam.. Coal Corporation, Splashdam, Virginia, June 134, 1932. Accessed 1-15-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/splash_dam_1932.pdf
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Safety and Health Research.. Mining Disasters (Incidents with 5 or more Fatalities). NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2-26-2013 update. Accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/disall.htm
and http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/content/allminingdisasters.html
United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Splash Dam Corporation, Splash Dam No. 6 Mine Explosion, Splash Dam, Dickenson County, Virginia, June 13, 1932, No. Killed – 10.” Accessed 1-15-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/splash_dam.htm
[1] A toxic mixture of gases left in a mine following an explosion caused by methane-rich gas. Afterdamp is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.