More than 10,000 civilians have received the award dedicated to “persons who perform extraordinary acts of heroism in civilian life in the United States and Canada.” Each received a medal and a cash grant. Two months later, Carnegie set aside $5 million to establish the Carnegie Hero Fund, which remains in existence. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie was so greatly touched by the efforts of Taylor and Lyle that he had medals struck for their families. They died after entering a methane-filled area. Taylor and Andrew Lyle, weren’t so lucky. Fifty more coffins from outside the community arrived and were immediately filled. A blacksmith near the mine hurriedly supplied 27 coffins. One person survived - Adolph Gunia, age 16 - who suffered severe body burns.īodies were moved by sleds to a grade school in Harwick. Men from every corner of the Alle-Kiski Valley and as far away as Slippery Rock descended upon Harwick in what soon became a recovery effort.Īfter the mine entrance was cleared of rubble, ventilation had to be installed so volunteers and medical personnel could find and remove the dead. Rescue efforts began immediately, despite 4 inches of fresh snow that had fallen that morning. The blast was so powerful that it wrecked the exterior of the mine shaft. 25, workers blasted dynamite in the shaft, which not only ignited the methane, it also caused accumulated coal dust to explode and travel throughout the entire mine. This time it caused a methane gas buildup.Īt 8:15 a.m. 23, the temperature in Harwick fell below zero, and ice formed once again. The ice in the air shaft had restricted ventilation. Ice forming in the mine’s shaft was ordered to be removed by mine inspectors in the days and weeks before the explosion. Since the mine was only a few years old, it was using the most modern equipment at the time.īut weather played a major part in the tragedy. ![]() By 1904, about 500 men worked in the mine that yielded about a half-million tons each year. The mine opened around 1900, and it quickly became productive. The disaster still ranks among the 10 worst in U.S. ![]() ![]() The explosion took the lives of an estimated 179 miners and two rescuers, though reports of how many miners died has varied slightly over the years. mine in the Harwick section of Springdale Township. 25, 1904, a huge explosion took place at the Allegheny Coal Co. The Alle-Kiski Valley’s greatest industrial tragedy, 118 years ago, resulted in the founding of a national award that continues today.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |