1924 — Jan 26, Lancashire No. 18 Coal Mine methane gas/dust explos., Shanktown, PA–36

lornajarrettblanchard January 26, 1924

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-31-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–36 Gleditsch, Herb. Coal Culture. “1924 Shanktown Mine Explosion.”

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

–36 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Mining Disasters.

–36 United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Lancashire 18

Narrative Information

Gleditsch, Herb. Coal Culture. “1924 Shanktown Mine Explosion.”:

“At 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 26, 1924, a violent explosion occurred at the Lancashire #18 mine of the Barnes and Tucker Coal Company. The mine was located near Starford, Indiana County, on the Starford-Wandin Road. 36 of the 47 men working in the mine were killed. 32 were killed instantly by the force of the explosion and 4 died from the effects of the afterdamp generated by the explosion. Mine explosions generate a mixture of by-product gases characterized by a lack of oxygen. This mixture is called “afterdamp.” An electric spark caused by the “arcing” of a mining

machine in an atmosphere charged with dust and explosive gas (methane) was given as the cause of the explosion.”

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Lancashire 18:

“Listing of the Miners Killed In The Lancashire Explosion

John Stone, superintendent
Albert J. Stoker, foreman
Joe Parkins
Joseph Kelly
Chester Williams
Arthur Caparelli
John Yendral
Don Goodlon
Mike Mekitko
Gust Lesky
Louis Straffo
John Schulick
Ellsworth Sickenberger
Joe Faransha
John Chapela
Lamillo Boslet
Mike Milschak
Joe Melitia
Peter Krawasky
Mike Scramko
Blantino Buretti
John Buta
John Uhuran
Fran Knovak
Keith Urias
George Getsepp, Jr.
George Getsepp, Sr.
John Hudak
Max Caharsansky
Charles Crandell
John Crandell
Andy Shermansky
Joe Cight
Joe Lapaska
Walter Brown
Edward Kelly

Sources

Gleditsch, Herb. Coal Culture. “1924 Shanktown Mine Explosion.” Reproduced by the United States Mine Rescue Association courtesy of the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County. Accessed 3-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/1924_Shanktown_Explosion.pdf

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 3-31-2025 at:

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

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Barnes and Tucker Coal Company, Lancashire No. 18 Mine Explosion, Shanktown, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1924, No. Killed – 36.” Accessed 3-31-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/Lancashire.htm