Scofield Mine disaster
Encyclopedia
The Scofield Mine disaster was a mining explosion that occurred at the Winter Quarters mine in 1900. The mine was located at 39°42′57"N 111°11′17"W near the town of Scofield, Utah
.
In terms of life lost it was the worst mining accident
at that point in American history.
in the Winter Quarters Mine killed at least 200 men, with some rescuers placing the death toll as high as 246. Death came so quickly that some of the mineworkers were found still clutching their tools.
accumulating in the Number 4 mine shaft exploded. The resulting afterdamp
killed miners in both the Number 4 and Number 1 mine shafts, which were connected by a tunnel.
, because only 125 caskets could be brought in from Salt Lake City.
At the time, the Winter Quarters Mine explosion was the country's worst mining disaster; it now ranks fifth. President William McKinley
sent a wire, expressing "... my intense sorrow upon learning of the terrible calamity which has occurred at Scofield, and my deep sympathy with the wives, children and friends of the unfortunate victims of the explosion."
The disaster led to a strike the following year and to calls for better safety in coal mines and better treatment of mine workers.
One man, one of six Evans brothers working at the mine that day, went through the Abercarn horror in Wales in 1878, when 240 miners had been killed. He reported that "the scenes [at Abercarn] were tame compared with [Scofield]." Two of his brothers were killed. They were "professional musicians, and natives of Wales. They have taken prizes at all musical events in this locality." A local writer praised Richard T. Evans as "the sweetest singer in Israel."
The Pleasant Valley Coal Company discontinued its operations in 1928. Other coal mines continue to operate in the area.
Scofield, Utah
Scofield is a town in Carbon County, Utah, United States. The population was 28 at the 2000 census. Scofield's name is frequently applied to the 1900 mine disaster in the Pleasant Valley Coal Company's Winter Quarters mine. The community was named for General Charles W...
.
In terms of life lost it was the worst mining accident
Mining accident
A mining accident is an accident that occurs during the process of mining minerals.Thousands of miners die from mining accidents each year, especially in the processes of coal mining and hard rock mining...
at that point in American history.
Background
On May 1, 1900, a dust explosionDust explosion
A dust explosion is the fast combustion of dust particles suspended in the air in an enclosed location. Coal dust explosions are a frequent hazard in underground coal mines, but dust explosions can occur where any powdered combustible material is present in an enclosed atmosphere.- Conditions for...
in the Winter Quarters Mine killed at least 200 men, with some rescuers placing the death toll as high as 246. Death came so quickly that some of the mineworkers were found still clutching their tools.
Cause
At 10:28 AM, coal dustCoal dust
Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal, which is created by the crushing, grinding, or pulverizing of coal. Because of the brittle nature of coal, coal dust can be created during mining, transportation, or by mechanically handling coal.-Explosions:...
accumulating in the Number 4 mine shaft exploded. The resulting afterdamp
Afterdamp
Afterdamp is the toxic mixture of gases left in a mine following an explosion caused by firedamp, which itself can initiate a much larger explosion of coal dust. It consists of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen. Hydrogen sulfide, another highly toxic gas, may also be present...
killed miners in both the Number 4 and Number 1 mine shafts, which were connected by a tunnel.
Aftermath
Many of the dead were laid to rest on May 5, 1900, during two large funerals. Every family in town of Scofield was affected. The disaster left 107 widows and 270 fatherless children. In order to bury all of the dead, 75 caskets had to be imported from Denver, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, because only 125 caskets could be brought in from Salt Lake City.
At the time, the Winter Quarters Mine explosion was the country's worst mining disaster; it now ranks fifth. President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
sent a wire, expressing "... my intense sorrow upon learning of the terrible calamity which has occurred at Scofield, and my deep sympathy with the wives, children and friends of the unfortunate victims of the explosion."
The disaster led to a strike the following year and to calls for better safety in coal mines and better treatment of mine workers.
One man, one of six Evans brothers working at the mine that day, went through the Abercarn horror in Wales in 1878, when 240 miners had been killed. He reported that "the scenes [at Abercarn] were tame compared with [Scofield]." Two of his brothers were killed. They were "professional musicians, and natives of Wales. They have taken prizes at all musical events in this locality." A local writer praised Richard T. Evans as "the sweetest singer in Israel."
The Pleasant Valley Coal Company discontinued its operations in 1928. Other coal mines continue to operate in the area.
See also
- List of Coal Mining Disasters