Mine Accidents and Disasters
The Knox Mine Disaster of 1959 is one of the most well-known mine disasters in Pennsylvania history. This photograph shows the iconic image of the whirlpool within the Susquehanna River. What effects do you think a mine disaster would have had on the community or the coal industry?
The Nanticoke Mine Calamity, shown in this illustration, occurred in 1886. This illustration was probably published shortly after the disaster occurred.
This photograph shows Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin's deputies, who had shot at the striking miners in the 1897 Lattimer Massacre. This incident caused the deaths of about 19 miners.
Mines could be abandoned for a number of reasons. In this case, the mine was abandoned because the roof had collapsed in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania.