Nanticoke, PA Coal Mine Flooding Disaster, Dec 1885

A COAL MINE DISASTER.

EIGHTEEN LIVES SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN LOST.

THE ROOF OF A PORTION OF THE MINE CAVES IN, ALLOWING WATER FROM A POND TO FLOOD THE WORKINGS.

Wilkesbarre, Penn., Dec. 18. -- A mine disaster which will in all probability result in the death of 18 men occurred at Slope 1 of the Susquehanna Coal Company, at Nanticoake, this morning. On the surface to the west, directly over the old workings of a portion of the mine, is a great bank of refuse coal piled up 100 feet. Behind this big bank of culm was gathered a pond of water. This morning, in starting, the roof over this abandoned portion caved in, allowing the water in the pond to rush into the workings of the mine where the men were at work. The loud, rumbling noise of the water at once told the men of their danger, and all made a rush for the main passageway which leads to the mouth of the shaft. Here they would be hoisted in cars to the surface. The men had to travel about 1,000 feet before reaching a place of safety in the slope, and in the meanwhile the water continued to pour into that pour into that portion where they were at work. Some of the men made their escape all right, but in 20 minutes time the water and the quicksand which accompanied it, blocked up the passageway to the mouth of the slope, and all means of escape in that direction were cut off. The men then turned in the direction of the air shaft, leading in another direction. It was a rece for life. The water was gaining rapidly on them, and by the time the fleetest of them reached the bottom of the air shaft the water was almost up to their necks. They were rescued by the aid of ropes let down the air shaft. Many of them were exhausted when brought up.
While all this was going on 18 men, who were in another part of the mine further away from the opening, were unable to reach the gangway leading to the air shaft in time. The water was upon them, and in 10 minutes more the sand and debris cut off their last hope of escape. Nearing the way to the air shaft they were completely hemmed in, and the only thing to be done was to reach as high ground as possible and postpone death as long as possible. In the meantime the water had ceased to flow into the mine, and rescuing parties were set to work to save the imprisoned miners. They must dig through 40 feet of quicksand to reach them, and this may require 12 hours yet. It is now believed that the men are all suffocated, as it seems almost impossible for them to get air. Great excitement prevails. Five of the men are married, the rest single.
The names of the entombed men, as far as can be learned, are:
OLIVER, FRANK and WILLIAM KIVLER, brothers.
WILLIAM CLIFFORD.
WILLIAM DONAHUE.
WILLIAM ELKE.
ISAAC SHARPS.
DANIEL LOUREY.
JOHN SHUTT.
JOHN HAWKS.
JOHN LABAR.
AUGUST VITUAL.
EDWARD HARGRAVES.
JOHN SHINSKY.
ABRAM LEWIS.
EDWARD MATTHIAS.
Information received here at 11:30 from Nanticoke gives more cheering news. The water has subsided, and a large force of men are at work removing the quicksand that blocks the gangways. There are strong hopes of reaching the men by morning in time to save their lives. The damage to the mine will be extensive, and it will be some weeks before work will be resumed in No. 1 Slope.
Two-thirty A. M. -- An extra shift of men went to work at 12 M. The men are working hard. It has been found that the quicksand which blocks the passageway is hard to remove, it being very compact. The worst fears now are that the men will be found suffocated. Opinions differ as to the thickness of the sand and debris which obstructs the passageway. If it is very thick and heavy it may be a week before the men are reached. The mine is surrounded with excited people at this hour.

The New York Times New York 1885-12-19
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!