1930 — March 30, Pioneer Coal Mine methane gas explosion, Kettle Island, KY       —     16

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-31-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–16  Bureau of Mines, US Dept. of Commerce. “Explosion Report Pioneer Mine…Kettle Island.”

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

–16  United Staes Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Kettle Island.

Narrative Information

Bureau of Mines: “On March 29, 1930, between 2:10 and 2:20 p.m. an explosion occurred in a section of the Pioneer mine of the Pioneer Coal Company, known as the No. 2 opening, located at Kettle Island, Bell County, Kentucky. At the time of the explosion, there were sixteen men in this section, all of whom were killed. Practically all of the number two opening section of the mine was involved in the explosion. A more widespread explosion, involving a part of the number one opening, was probably prevented by a very wet section. The part of the mine involved was dry and dusty; no rock-dusting had ever been attempted; sprinkling of haulage-was was done occasionally…. [p. 1.]

 

“Conclusion as to the Cause of the Explosion

 

“The Chief Mine Inspector, company officials, and others, in their conclusions, assume that the explosion originated near the face of the 3rd right off 3rd left off 13th right off 12th right off 1st main. It is their belief that the mine foreman walked into a body of methane and air of an explosive mixture. This mixture it is assumed, was ignited by the flame of a carbide lamp carried on the mine foreman’s cap, which presumably, was on his head. The explosion was propagated by coal dust. The writer does not concur in this conclusion [as to the point of origin (hand-written in report)].

 

“It is the writer’s opinion that the explosion was initiated at a point on the 4th right off 1st left off 13th right off 12th right off 1st main. It is his opinion that a body of methane and air mixture was ignited by the flame of a carbide lamp which was carried by the motorman, whose body was found in the 1st crosscut between the 1st left entry and aircourse just inby the 4th right entry. This opinion on the part of the writer, is based upon the evidence of forces which radiate in all directions from this point….” [pp. 19-20]

 

“Recommendations

 

“In the interest of safety, the writer offers the following recommendations.

 

  1. That this entire mine be considered as a gassy mine, according to the classification of mines by the Mine Safety Board….
  2. That competent, qualified, fire bosses be employed and required to carefully examine each working place for gas and unsafe conditions not more than two hours previous to the beginning of every shift. The findings of such examinations to be entered in a book kept on the surface.
  3. That all entries, rooms, panels, or sections, that can not be kept well ventilated through, or that can not be inspected regularly and thoroughly, or that are not being used for coursing the air, travel, haulage, or the extraction of coal, be sealed by strong fireproof steppings.
  4. That when sealing is resorted to, care shall be exercised to seal every opening into the area to be sealed…. [pp. 21-22]

Newspaper

 

News-Sentinel, Knoxville, KY. “16 Believed Dead” (undated photocopy found attached to Bureau of Mines Report.

 

“The 16 men entombed and now believed dead in the mine explosion at Kettle Island, 85 miles northeast of Knoxville, are:

 

  1. E. Hill, foreman.
  2. J. Vann, assistant foreman.
  3. L. Jones, coal loader.

Jess Lasley, coal loader.

Dave Sowders, coupler.

Mason Fultz, timberman.

Luther Hodge, motorman.

Edd Osborne, coupler.

Harvey Allen, coal loader.

Elmer Steele, coal loader.

John L. Cox, coal loader.

John Engle, coal loader.

Le Johnson, coal loader.

Adrion Helton, coal loader.

Raymond Simpson, coal loader.

Sam Proffitt, brattice man.”

 

Sources

 

Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of Commerce. “Explosion Report, Pioneer Mine, Pioneer Coal Company, Kettle Island, Bell County, Kentucky.” Accessed 1-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/pioneer_1930.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 1-31-2025 at:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/MineDisasters/Table

 

News-Sentinel, Knoxville, KY. “16 Believed Dead” (undated photocopy found attached to Bureau of Mines Report. Accessed 1-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/pioneer_1930.pdf

 

United Staes Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Pioneer Coal Company, Pioneer Mine Explosion, Kettle Island, Bell County, Kentucky, March 29, 1930, No. Killed – 16.” Accessed 1-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/kettle_island_news_only.htm