Today, December 6, is National Miners’ Day. Designed to commemorate and honor the contributions and sacrifices made by miners in their most intense lines of work, the date was specifically chosen in remembrance and reflection of what has often been coined “the worst mining disaster in American history”—the Monongah Mining Disaster.
A mining explosion at Fairmont Coal Company’s Nos. 6 and 8 mines in Monongah, West Virginia, back in 1907, the Monongah Mining Disaster was a tragedy that left 362 miners dead. It was also one of the primary contributing factors that led to the eventual formation of the United States Bureau of Mines.
This Flashback Friday Feature pays to the memory of the brave and bold miners who lost their lives in the Monongah Mining Disaster so long ago. It also serves as an ongoing tribute to those who continue today in what can only be described as one of the most timelessly treacherous jobs in recorded history.
A Brief History of Mining
The earliest evidence of mining practices can be traced back to prehistoric times. These occurred in the southern part of Africa, where coal was mined between 40,000 and 20,000 years ago. Evidence from 3000 B.C. also shows that ancient Egyptians mined copper and malachite. The ancient Romans established immense, well-developed mining methods and techniques, incorporating intricate aqueduct constructs to transport water to mines.
Prehistoric mining evidence has also been uncovered throughout the Americas. Yet, the more familiar techniques didn’t emerge until Europeans began settling in the New World. And when they did, mining turned into a pretty big business. It even helped fuel Westward Expansion, similar in the way that the California Gold Rush did. By the 19th century, mining was so widespread that the United States, Congress passed the General Mining Act of 1872. This was done to encourage mining for minerals and precious metals on federal lands.
Mining in West Virginia
Mining took off in many places throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and was especially big in West Virginia. Coal mining, in particular, was a leading industry as coal was largely depended on as a source of heating and power across many sectors.
Coal mining in West Virginia started thriving during the mid-1800s—when West Virginia was still part of the State of Virginia. By the end of the century, it was more than merely big business; it was a livelihood to many.
Despite the prominence and importance of coal in daily life during that time, coal mining wasn’t considered a lucrative living. Workers weren’t paid well or fairly compensated for the risks that came with the job. As it was, coal mining boasted one of the highest fatality rates among industrial workers annually, with frequent causes of death ranging in everything from cave-ins and collapsing walls to fires and explosions.
Early 20th-century mine safety laws weren’t up to par in most places throughout the United States and were among the weakest in West Virginia, where owners often looked the other way all too often. The few safety standards that were established and provisions for workers (if any) were hardly ever enforced. Pair that with long hours, low wages, and the less-than-ideal living conditions of West Virginia mining towns, and it’s easy to see that a miner’s life was difficult on several different levels.
The December 6 Disaster
The day of the famed and fateful Monongah Mining Disaster occurred on a Friday, December 6 (like today) in 1907. While 420 men were “officially” scheduled to work within Fairmont Coal Company’s No. 6 and No. 8 mines, actual numbers of those present tally significantly higher, given how official workers were known to bring along children, friends, and relatives to help out.
The first explosion came at around 10:28 a.m., followed by a larger one in another section of the mine. Almost everyone who was inside was killed instantly as a result. The extreme damage to the No. 8 mine and its surface area was severe enough to ruin the ventilation systems necessary for fresh air circulation. Various equipment sources and railcars were also destroyed in the explosions.
Rescue efforts were underway in as little as 25 minutes. They were complicated, though, made additionally detrimental by airborne fume threats like blackdamp (a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrogen without oxygen) and whitedamp (a form of carbon monoxide). Because the aforementioned ventilation passages were destroyed, rescuers could only go into the mines for 15 minutes at a time.
An official cause for these explosions has never been uncovered. Investigators and representatives from both the Fairmont Coal Company and the Federal Geological Survey do have a few theories, though. One is that an electrical spark is to blame. Another indicates that an open flame from a miner’s lamp ignited coal dust or methane gas. But again, the real cause remains inconclusive even to this day.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the Monongah Mining Disaster and other concurring accidents and tragedies associated with mining across the nation, Congress established the United States Bureau of Mines in 1910. The primary reason for its formation was to carry out investigations and inspections of mines to reduce incidents and the potential for explosions, accidents, and other hazards. Additionally, the Bureau of Mines was tasked with setting up field officers to train mine crews, provide rescue services, and conduct thorough investigations if the unthinkable still occurred despite maintaining best practices.
On a more localized level, the Monongah Mine Relief Committee was established to aid the families of the victims, the few lucky survivors, and others affected by the event. The organization comprised two subcommittees—the executive committee to raise national awareness about the disaster and the subscription committee, responsible for directing aid to those in need.
Many other notable names became involved in relief efforts, assisting in needed reforms and raising public awareness. Andrew Carnegie was one such person. He established the Hero Fund, providing relief to the survivors and martyrs involved in the harrowing rescue/recovery attempts in Monongah. Margaret F. Byington of the Red Cross was dispatched to collect information from survivors to coordinate relief efforts.
Modern Mining and Continued Risks
While improvements have been implemented over the years, mining continues to be a highly hazardous profession even today. Nearly 105,000 coal miners in the United States alone have been killed in mining accidents since 1900. Of those fatalities, 90 percent occurred in the first half of the century. The year 1907 was the worst on record, with a total of 3,242 mining deaths. Five were reported as recently as 2020.
Hazards that continue to impede mining safety include wall failures/roof collapse, vehicle collisions, rock bursts, outbursts, gas poisoning, suffocation, and other dangers that come with the job. Miners also run the risk of suffering long-term health complications, including chronic lung conditions and diseases.
While still dangerous, there have certainly been improvements to the mining industry since the earliest practices. And we can’t deny that the Monongah Mining Disaster, as horrible as it was, served as a catalyst for reformation and providing for a better future for the livelihood of those who still work in mining today.