1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

COMMUNICATION.
To His Excellency, John F. Hartranft,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania :
Sir:—In compliance with the requirements of an act of General Assembly
of the Commonwealth, approved the fifth day of April, 1810, entitled
"An Act for the preservation of the records of the inspectors of
mines in the mining district of Schuylkill," etc., I have the honor to herewith
submit a report of all matter and information as had been furnished
me by the inspectors of mines of the district aforesaid, showing that one
hundred and twenty-six persons lost their lives, and that three hundred and
seventy-nine persons were maimed and injured in and about the district
collieries during the year 1873, as the following statements will exhibit:
That in Pottsville district 45 collieries were in operation, and that 29
deaths occurred.
That in Ashland district 66 collieries were in operation, and that 53
deaths occurred.
That in Shamokin district 44 collieries were in operation, and that 44
deaths occurred.
And of the 379 persons that were maimed 34 of these died subsequently
of such injuries, leaving 74 widows and 273 orphans.
That there has been
35 deaths and 114 injuries in the district this year more than was in 1872.
These excesses in deaths and injuries are classified in their respective
order
In Pottsville district the deaths are 12 and the injuries 43 more this
than last year.
In Ashland district the deaths are 11 and the injuries 72 more this than
last year.
In Shamokin district the -deaths are 12 and the injuries 1 more this
than last year.
The causes of which deaths and injuries are detailed in tabulated forms,.
and are much larger than was anticipated ;
but investigations into these
casualties show that very many of them were purely accidental, chiefly
the result of negligence, inexperience and haste. The disaster at the Henry
Clay colliery, June 10, where 10 persons perished, and another at the Honey
1 Mine Rep.