1944 — Mar 25, Katherine Coal Mine No. 4 fire, methane/coal dust explos. ~Shinnston, WV–16

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–16  Associated Press. “Explosion in Mine Kills 16. Lime News, OH. 3-26-1944.

–16  NYT. “Mine Blast Kills 16 in West Virginia; All Members of Crew Fighting Fire…” 3-26-1944, 35.

–16  United States Mine Rescue Assoc. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Katherine…”

–16  WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. WV Mine Disasters 1884 to Present.

Narrative Information

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States:

“Katherine Coal Company. Katherine No. 4 Mine Explosion

“Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia

“March 24, 1944

“No. Killed – 16

….

“Firefighting crews were formed after all miners were withdrawn from the Katherine No. 4 mine to fight a fire discovered there at 11:00 p.m.  A subsequent explosion of methane and coal dust occurred, killing everyone in the mine at the time.  Buildings were rocked and windows were shattered in homes two miles away.”

Newspaper

Associated Press. “Explosion in Mine Kills 16. Lime News, OH. 3-26-1944:

“….The deceased:

Glen Ashcraft

Roy Barnett

John Comer

Harsel Cutlip

Dan Drummond

Oscar Felix

Noel Helms

Harold McCormick

Charles Miller

John Payne

Grayson Schoolcraft

John Senchina

George Shawhan

John Spiker

Junior Stort

Charles Wagner.”

Sources

Associated Press. “Explosion in Mine Kills 16. Lime News, OH. 3-26-1944. Accessed 4-11-2024 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/katherine_news_only.htm

New York Times. “Mine Blast Kills 16 in West Virginia; All Members of Crew Fighting Fire Lose Their Lives by Explosion Near Shinnston.” 3-26-1944, p. 35. Accessed 4-11-2024 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1944/03/26/archives/mine-blast-kills-16-in-west-virginia-all-members-of-crew-fighting.html

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Katherine Coal Company. Katherine No. 4 Mine Explosion. Accessed 4-11-2024 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/katherine_news_only.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