1935 — Jan 21, Gas Explosion, Gilberton Coal Mine, Gilberton, PA                           —     13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-9-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–13  Betz. “Middle of 1900s…War, Massacre, Explosion,” Republican-Herald, Oct 25, 2009. 

–13  Bureau of Mines. Coal-Mine Accidents in the United States 1937. DC: 1940, p. 125.

            –11  Killed in initial explosion

            —  1  Died in hospital afterwards

            —  1  Rescuer “succumbed to afterdamp.”

–13  Mine Safety and Health Admin. Historical Coal Mine Disasters in the Anthracite Region.

–13  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Mine Disasters.

–13  U.S. Bureau of Mines. January 21, 1935; Gilberton Colliery, Gilberton, Pa.; 13 Killed.

–13  United States Mine Rescue Association. “Philadelphia & Reading Coal…Gilberton…”

 

Narrative Information

 

Betz: “Jan. 21, 1935: Thirteen miners died from suffocation or after being overcome by fumes following a gas explosion at the Gilberton Colliery. The explosion occurred on the rock gangway leading to the mine’s sixth level. Sixty-nine miners were trapped at first. Emergency ventilation procedures and heroic action by rescuers kept the toll from becoming even worse.” (Betz.  “Middle of 1900s…War, Massacre, Explosion,” Republican-Herald, Oct 25, 2009.) 

 

Bureau of Mines, US Dept. of Interior, excerpt: “….The mine was gassy; and closed lights  were used, with permissible flame safety lamps for testing for gas. Miners were not trained in using the flame safety lamps. The day shift had been at work 2 hours when the explosion occurred about 9 a.m., killing 11 of the 69 men working on the 4th and 6th lifts. About 30 others were sent to hospitals after being seriously affected by carbon monoxide; 1 of them died.

 

“Rescue work was started immediately by those not affected by the explosion and from other sections of the mine. One of these rescuers succumbed to afterdamp after saving several of those unable to escape by themselves.

 

“All survivors were removed before outside assistance was called. The explosion originated in No.1 breast, where the bodies of two men were found nude, badly burned and broken. A flame safety lamp was broken apart, and parts were scattered along the breast.

 

“Gas had accumulated because of inadequate ventilation and neglect to make thorough tests or inspections. The cause of ignition may have been open chute blasting with nonpermissible explosives and blasting units, a defective flame safety lamp, or one unsafely used. Smoking was possible but not indicated. Several official investigations were made of the circumstances of this disaster because of the violations of State mining laws revealed. The mine officials were held responsible, and court action was taken against them.” (Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior. Coal-Mine Accidents in the United States 1937 (Bulletin 430). Washington: 1940.)

 

Names of twelve of the men killed were printed in the Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana PA (“Probes Opened in Death of 12”), Jan. 22, 1935, and reprinted by United States Mine Rescue Association:

  • Charles Andrew, Frackville
  • Richard Evans, Gilberton
  • Harry Lengle, Tremont
  • Harry Mauger, Mahanoy City
  • Joseph Mezallis, Minersville
  • Harvey Morgan, Valley View
  • John Murphy, Frackville
  • Anthony Pichalonis, Shenandoah
  • Charles Ruzuskie, Minersville
  • Joseph Stoppey, Gilberton
  • Clark Wagner, Valley View
  • Anthony Welchester, Minersville

Was also noted that Gurney Dunlevy, of Valley View, and Tony Mullock, of Girardville, were in a hospital in critical condition.

 

Sources

 

Betz, Jake.  “Middle of 1900s Witness to War, Massacre, Explosion,” Republican-Herald (Pottsville PA), October 25, 2009. Accessed at: http://republicanherald.com/news/middle-of-1900s-witness-to-war-massacre-explosion-1.359391

 

Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior. Coal-Mine Accidents in the United States 1937 (Bulletin 430). Washington: 1940. Accessed 12-9-2024 at: https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QafXs_S-xYZ0VQoB9f9fhiUTFq-uvwtOuXHAOSTQ5vLJE4ZSFRAbYq10QEv3bANyr3fqoUOhbx2C0JSkN9RqJsn73EnoS0b86k8OFrI9MamRLZlLFXsTuW5tOKUJ3YjiWrZEplFETAwek3GFNJoT-iOs5n90WNWo8_rbxi7M60AvKiaNyLtYbT9Xj1wFzfpzuM1pRweDWy490eOls0biHbD0xubrMuPgM8P7Gi__HUM2KE_XvlM0MVTFDpyCD5cLUTW7-7dGluDAKmDZcnEMA__CFv7X1A

 

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 (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 Bureau of Mines. January 21, 1935; Gilberton Colliery, Gilberton, Pa.; 13 Killed. Accessed 12-9-2024 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/1935_Gilberton_Report.pdf

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. “Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, Gilberton Mine Explosion. Gilberton, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1935. No. Killed – 13.” Accessed 12-9-2024 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/gilberton_news_only.htm