Scofield Mine disaster

The Scofield Mine disaster was a mining explosion that occurred at the Winter Quarters mine in 1900. The mine was located near coor dms|39|42|57|N|111|11|17|W|city (39.71581°,-111.18814°), near the town of Scofield, Utah.In terms of life lost, it was the worst mining accident up until that date in American history.cite web |url=http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SCOFIELDMINEDIS.html |title=Scofield Mine Disaster |accessdate=2008-05-09 |accessmonthday= |accessdaymonth= |accessyear= |author= |last=Powell |first=Allan Kent |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Background

On May 1 1900, a dust explosion in the Winter Quarters Mine killed at least 200 men, with some rescuers placing the death toll as high as 246.

Cause

At 10:28 AM, coal dust 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.

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. [cite web |url=http://www.so-utah.com/price/schofld/homepage.html |title=Remembering the great mine disaster |accessdate=2008-05-09 |accessmonthday= |accessdaymonth= |accessyear= |author= |last=Bertola |first=Max |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=1996 |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] 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, Colorado, 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 lead to a strike the following year and to calls for better safety in coal mines and better treatment of mine workers.

The Pleasant Valley Coal Company discontinued its operations in 1928. Other coal mines continue to operate in the area. [ [http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ut-winterquarter.html Winter Quarter, Utah Ghost Town Lost Treasure ] ]

See also

* List of Coal Mining Disasters

References