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{{short description|Coal mining company in Kentucky}}
{{Short description|Coal mine in Kentucky}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=November 2020}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=November 2020}}
[[File:Scotia mine disaster historical sign.jpg|thumb|Scotia Mine historical marker]]
The '''Scotia Mine''' began operating in 1962 and was a subsidiary of the [[Blue Diamond Coal Company]]. The mine was located in the [[Oven Fork, Kentucky|Oven Fork Community]] of [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]], about fourteen miles northeast of the town of [[Cumberland, Kentucky|Cumberland]] ([[Harlan County, Kentucky]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Talbott|first=Tim|title=Scotia Mine Disaster|url=https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/238|access-date=2020-11-12|website=ExploreKYHistory|language=en}}</ref>
The '''Scotia Mine''' was a [[Coal mining|coal mine]] that operated in the community of [[Oven Fork, Kentucky|Oven Fork]] in [[Letcher County, Kentucky]]. The mine began operations in 1962, as a subsidiary of the Blue Diamond Coal Company. In March 1976, two explosions occurred within the mine, killing 26 miners. The explosions led to the passage of several acts relating to safety in coal mines.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Talbott|first=Tim|title=Scotia Mine Disaster|url=https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/238|access-date=2020-11-12|website=ExploreKYHistory|language=en}}</ref>


The Scotia Mine was originally opened into the [[Imboden coalbed]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Scotia Mine Explosion|url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia.htm#:~:text=The%20Scotia%20Mine,%20Scotia%20Coal%20Company,%20is%20located%20near%20Ovenfork,Coal%20Company,%20Knoxville,%20Tennessee.|access-date=2020-11-12|website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com|language=en}}</ref> In 1975, an additional opening in the form of a concrete lined 13½ foot diameter shaft, 376 feet deep. The lining of the shaft was completed July 21, 1975, and work was begun to install an automatic elevator. &nbsp;On March 9, 1976, the construction had not yet been completed and the shaft was being used only as an intake air opening.<ref name=":1" /> Of 310 employees, 275 worked underground on two coal producing shifts and one maintenance shift per day, 5 days a week. &nbsp;Approximately 2,500 tons of coal were produced daily on six active sections, consisting of five continuous mining sections and one conventional mining section.<ref name=":1" />
The Scotia Mine was originally opened into the [[Imboden coalbed]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Scotia Mine Explosion|url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia.htm#:~:text=The%20Scotia%20Mine,%20Scotia%20Coal%20Company,%20is%20located%20near%20Ovenfork,Coal%20Company,%20Knoxville,%20Tennessee.|access-date=2020-11-12|website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com|language=en}}</ref> In 1975, an additional opening in the form of a concrete lined {{frac|13|1|2}} foot diameter shaft, 376 feet deep. The lining of the shaft was completed July 21, 1975, and work was begun to install an automatic elevator. On March 9, 1976, the construction had not yet been completed and the shaft was being used only as an intake air opening.<ref name=":1" /> Of 310 employees, 275 worked underground on two coal producing shifts and one maintenance shift per day, 5 days a week. Approximately 2,500 tons of coal were produced daily on six active sections, consisting of five continuous mining sections and one conventional mining section.<ref name=":1" />


The last federal inspection of the Scotia Mine was completed on February 27, 1976. On March 8, 1976, on the evening shift, a Federal Coal Mine Inspector conducted a Health and Safety Technical Inspection.<ref name=":1" />
The last federal inspection of the Scotia Mine was completed on February 27, 1976. On March 8, 1976, on the evening shift, a Federal Coal Mine Inspector conducted a Health and Safety Technical Inspection.<ref name=":1" />


== Scotia Mine Disaster of 1976 ==
== Scotia Mine Disaster of 1976 ==
On March 9, 1976, at approximately 11:45&nbsp;a.m., an explosion caused by coal dust and gasses rocked the Scotia mine. Two days later, a twin explosion occurred. The first explosion killed fifteen miners; the second killed eleven. Investigators believed that both explosions were caused by methane gasses ignited by a spark in a battery-powered locomotive or another electric device. A lack of ventilation also contributed to the accidents.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sinclair|first=Ward|last2=Bishop|first2=Bill|date=1980-03-09|title=Justice Moves Slowly in Mine Disaster|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/03/09/justice-moves-slowly-in-mine-disaster/7b586840-d171-4780-98f6-b5d8acc6059f/|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
On March 9, 1976, at approximately 11:45&nbsp;a.m., an explosion caused by coal dust and gasses rocked the Scotia Mine. Two days later, a twin explosion occurred. The first explosion killed fifteen miners; the second killed eleven. Investigators believed that both explosions were caused by methane gasses ignited by a spark in a battery-powered locomotive or another electric device. A lack of ventilation also contributed to the accidents.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sinclair|first1=Ward|last2=Bishop|first2=Bill|date=1980-03-09|title=Justice Moves Slowly in Mine Disaster|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/03/09/justice-moves-slowly-in-mine-disaster/7b586840-d171-4780-98f6-b5d8acc6059f/|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>


The explosions at Scotia led to the passage of the [[Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1977 – Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) created {{!}} Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)|url=https://www.msha.gov/1977-%E2%80%93-mine-safety-and-health-administration-msha-created|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.msha.gov}}</ref> This law strengthened the previously passed [[Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969|1969 act]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1969 – Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act passed {{!}} Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)|url=https://www.msha.gov/1969-%E2%80%93-federal-coal-mine-health-and-safety-act-passed|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.msha.gov}}</ref> The 1977 law also moved the [[Mine Safety and Health Administration]] from the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]] to the [[United States Department of Labor|Department of Labor]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Time|first=Ben A. Franklin Special to The New York|date=1976-07-29|title=House Votes Mine Safety Shift To Dept. of Labor From Interior (Published 1976)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/29/archives/house-votes-mine-safety-shift-to-dept-of-labor-from-interior.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
The explosions at Scotia led to the passage of the [[Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1977 – Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) created {{!}} Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)|url=https://www.msha.gov/1977-%E2%80%93-mine-safety-and-health-administration-msha-created|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.msha.gov}}</ref> This law strengthened the previously passed [[Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969|1969 act]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1969 – Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act passed {{!}} Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)|url=https://www.msha.gov/1969-%E2%80%93-federal-coal-mine-health-and-safety-act-passed|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.msha.gov}}</ref> The 1977 law also moved the [[Mine Safety and Health Administration]] from the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]] to the [[United States Department of Labor|Department of Labor]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Time|first=Ben A. Franklin Special to The New York|date=1976-07-29|title=House Votes Mine Safety Shift To Dept. of Labor From Interior (Published 1976)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/29/archives/house-votes-mine-safety-shift-to-dept-of-labor-from-interior.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


Historical Marker #2314 in [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]] notes the tragic mine explosions that occurred at Scotia Mine in 1976. The accidents are noted as being one of the worst mine disasters in U.S. history.
Historical Marker #2314 in [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]] notes the tragic mine explosions that occurred at Scotia Mine in 1976. The accidents are noted as being one of the worst mine disasters in U.S. history.
[[File:Scotia mine disaster historical sign back.jpg|thumb|Scotia Mine historical marker lists the names of those lost in the disaster]]


=== Lives Lost in Scotia Mine Disaster<ref>{{Cite news|last=Times|first=Wayne King Special to The New York|date=1976-11-20|title=Bodies of 11, Entombed in Mine 253 Days, Recovered (Published 1976)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/20/archives/bodies-of-11-entombed-in-mine-253-days-recovered.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Miners Killed in the Scotia Mine Explosions|url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia_deceased.htm|access-date=2020-11-12|website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com|language=en}}</ref> ===
=== Lives lost in Scotia Mine Disaster<ref>{{Cite news|last=Times|first=Wayne King Special to The New York|date=1976-11-20|title=Bodies of 11, Entombed in Mine 253 Days, Recovered (Published 1976)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/20/archives/bodies-of-11-entombed-in-mine-253-days-recovered.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Miners Killed in the Scotia Mine Explosions|url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia_deceased.htm|access-date=2020-11-12|website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com|language=en}}</ref> ===


* Glenn Barker, 29 years-old
* Glenn Barker, 29 years-old
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=== Lawsuit ===
=== Lawsuit ===
In 1977, the widows of the miners who died in the mine disaster (the Scotia widows) sued [[Blue Diamond Coal Company]] of [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]. The United States District Court judge [[Howard David Hermansdorfer]] for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled that Blue Diamond Coal Company was exempt from tort liability under [[Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act]] and dismissed the lawsuit.<ref>''Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co.'', 590 F.2d 655, 657 (6th Cir. 1979).</ref> The [[United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit|Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit]] held that, under [[Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act]] a parent corporation is not immune from tort liability to its subsidiary employees for its own, independent acts of negligence.<ref>''Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co.'', 590 F.2d 655, 663 (6th Cir. 1979).</ref>
In 1977, the widows of the miners who died in the mine disaster (the Scotia widows) sued [[Blue Diamond Coal Company]] of [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]. The United States District Court judge [[Howard David Hermansdorfer]] for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled that Blue Diamond Coal Company was exempt from tort liability under [[Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act]] and dismissed the lawsuit.<ref>''Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co.'', 590 F.2d 655, 657 (6th Cir. 1979).</ref> The [[United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit|Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit]] held that, under [[Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act]] a parent corporation is not immune from tort liability to its subsidiary employees for its own, independent acts of negligence.<ref>''Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co.'', 590 F.2d 655, 663 (6th Cir. 1979).</ref>

=== Representations in Pop Culture ===

* E.B. Allen's 1976 poem [[Ballad of the Shadow Miner]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ballad of the The Shadow Miner.|url=http://www.dmm.org.uk/pitwork/html/reb.htm|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.dmm.org.uk}}</ref>

* Dark Days of Kentucky, The Scotia Mine Disaster, [[History Told By Idiots]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Episode 2.6: Dark Days of Kentucky, The Scotia Mine Disaster - History Told By Idiots|url=https://www.buzzsprout.com/164321/1007252-episode-2-6-dark-days-of-kentucky-the-scotia-mine-disaster|access-date=2020-11-12}}</ref>

* 40 Years Later: The Scotia Mine Disaster, [[WYMT Television]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 9, 2016|title=40 Years Later: The Scotia Mine Disaster|work=WYMT Television|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq7xGihuwg|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-11}}</ref>


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==


* ''Historical summary of coal mine explosions in the United States, 1959–1981'', United States Department of the Interior.<ref name="cdc">{{cite web|url=https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/8918/cdc_8918_DS1.pdf|date=2006-05-12|title=Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United States, 1959-81 (Bureau of Mines Information Circular/l983)|author=J. K. Richmond, G. C. Price, M. J. Sapko and E. M. Kawenski|publisher=United States Department of the Interior|accessdate=2020-11-12}}</ref>
* ''Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United States, 1959–1981'', United States Department of the Interior.<ref name="cdc">{{cite web|url=https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/8918/cdc_8918_DS1.pdf|date=2006-05-12|title=Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United States, 1959-81 (Bureau of Mines Information Circular/1983)|author=J. K. Richmond, G. C. Price, M. J. Sapko and E. M. Kawenski|publisher=United States Department of the Interior|accessdate=2020-11-12}}</ref>
* ''Kentucky: Past and Present'' by [[Colleen Ryckert Cook]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cook, Colleen Ryckert.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502304593|title=Kentucky : past and present|date=2011|publisher=Rosen Central|isbn=978-1-4358-9482-2|edition=1st|location=New York|oclc=502304593}}</ref>
* ''Kentucky: Past and Present'' by [[Colleen Ryckert Cook]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cook, Colleen Ryckert.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502304593|title=Kentucky : past and present|date=2011|publisher=Rosen Central|isbn=978-1-4358-9482-2|edition=1st|location=New York|oclc=502304593}}</ref>
* ''The Scotia Widows: Inside Their Lawsuit Against Big Daddy Coal'' by [[Gerald Mann Stern]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Stern, Gerald M., 1937-|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/189699502|title=The Scotia widows : inside their lawsuit against big daddy coal|date=2008|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4000-6764-0|location=New York|oclc=189699502}}</ref>
* ''The Scotia Widows: Inside Their Lawsuit Against Big Daddy Coal'' by [[Gerald Mann Stern]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Stern, Gerald M., 1937-|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/189699502|title=The Scotia widows : inside their lawsuit against big daddy coal|date=2008|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4000-6764-0|location=New York|oclc=189699502}}</ref>
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{{reflist|1}}
{{reflist|1}}


{{coord missing|Kentucky}}
[[Category:Coal mines]]

[[Category:Coal mines by country]]
[[Category:Coal miners]]
[[Category:Coal mines in the United States]]
[[Category:Coal mining disasters in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Coal mining disasters in Kentucky]]

Latest revision as of 15:32, 20 February 2024

Scotia Mine historical marker

The Scotia Mine was a coal mine that operated in the community of Oven Fork in Letcher County, Kentucky. The mine began operations in 1962, as a subsidiary of the Blue Diamond Coal Company. In March 1976, two explosions occurred within the mine, killing 26 miners. The explosions led to the passage of several acts relating to safety in coal mines.[1]

The Scotia Mine was originally opened into the Imboden coalbed.[2] In 1975, an additional opening in the form of a concrete lined 13+1⁄2 foot diameter shaft, 376 feet deep. The lining of the shaft was completed July 21, 1975, and work was begun to install an automatic elevator. On March 9, 1976, the construction had not yet been completed and the shaft was being used only as an intake air opening.[2] Of 310 employees, 275 worked underground on two coal producing shifts and one maintenance shift per day, 5 days a week. Approximately 2,500 tons of coal were produced daily on six active sections, consisting of five continuous mining sections and one conventional mining section.[2]

The last federal inspection of the Scotia Mine was completed on February 27, 1976. On March 8, 1976, on the evening shift, a Federal Coal Mine Inspector conducted a Health and Safety Technical Inspection.[2]

Scotia Mine Disaster of 1976

[edit]

On March 9, 1976, at approximately 11:45 a.m., an explosion caused by coal dust and gasses rocked the Scotia Mine. Two days later, a twin explosion occurred. The first explosion killed fifteen miners; the second killed eleven. Investigators believed that both explosions were caused by methane gasses ignited by a spark in a battery-powered locomotive or another electric device. A lack of ventilation also contributed to the accidents.[1][3]

The explosions at Scotia led to the passage of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.[4] This law strengthened the previously passed 1969 act.[5] The 1977 law also moved the Mine Safety and Health Administration from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Labor.[6]

Historical Marker #2314 in Letcher County notes the tragic mine explosions that occurred at Scotia Mine in 1976. The accidents are noted as being one of the worst mine disasters in U.S. history.

Scotia Mine historical marker lists the names of those lost in the disaster

Lives lost in Scotia Mine Disaster[7][8]

[edit]
  • Glenn Barker, 29 years-old
  • Dennis Boggs, 27 years-old
  • Everett Scott Combs, 29 years-old
  • Virgil Coots, 24 years-old
  • Don Creech, 30 years-old
  • Larry David McKnight, 28 years-old
  • Earl Galloway, 44 years-old
  • David Gibbs, 30 years-old
  • Robert Griffith, 24 years-old
  • John Hackworth, 29 years-old
  • J. B. Holbrook, 43 years-old
  • Kenneth B. Kiser, 45 years-old
  • Roy McKnight, 31 years-old
  • Lawrence Peavy, 25 years-old
  • Carl Polly, 47 years-old
  • Richard M. Sammons, 55 years-old
  • Tommy Ray Scott, 24 years-old
  • Ivan Gail Sparkman, 34 years-old
  • James Sturgill, 46 years-old
  • Jimmy W. Sturgill, 20 years-old
  • Monroe Sturgill, 40 years-old
  • Kenneth Turner, 25 years-old
  • Willie D. Turner, 25 years-old
  • Grover Tussey, 45 years-old
  • Denver Widner, 31 years-old
  • James Williams, 23 years-old

Lawsuit

[edit]

In 1977, the widows of the miners who died in the mine disaster (the Scotia widows) sued Blue Diamond Coal Company of Knoxville, Tennessee. The United States District Court judge Howard David Hermansdorfer for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled that Blue Diamond Coal Company was exempt from tort liability under Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act and dismissed the lawsuit.[9] The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that, under Kentucky's Workmen's Compensation Act a parent corporation is not immune from tort liability to its subsidiary employees for its own, independent acts of negligence.[10]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United States, 1959–1981, United States Department of the Interior.[11]
  • Kentucky: Past and Present by Colleen Ryckert Cook.[12]
  • The Scotia Widows: Inside Their Lawsuit Against Big Daddy Coal by Gerald Mann Stern.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Talbott, Tim. "Scotia Mine Disaster". ExploreKYHistory. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  2. ^ a b c d "Scotia Mine Explosion". usminedisasters.miningquiz.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  3. ^ Sinclair, Ward; Bishop, Bill (1980-03-09). "Justice Moves Slowly in Mine Disaster". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  4. ^ "1977 – Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) created | Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)". www.msha.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  5. ^ "1969 – Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act passed | Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)". www.msha.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  6. ^ Time, Ben A. Franklin Special to The New York (1976-07-29). "House Votes Mine Safety Shift To Dept. of Labor From Interior (Published 1976)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  7. ^ Times, Wayne King Special to The New York (1976-11-20). "Bodies of 11, Entombed in Mine 253 Days, Recovered (Published 1976)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  8. ^ "Miners Killed in the Scotia Mine Explosions". usminedisasters.miningquiz.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  9. ^ Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co., 590 F.2d 655, 657 (6th Cir. 1979).
  10. ^ Boggs v. Blue Diamond Coal Co., 590 F.2d 655, 663 (6th Cir. 1979).
  11. ^ J. K. Richmond, G. C. Price, M. J. Sapko and E. M. Kawenski (2006-05-12). "Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United States, 1959-81 (Bureau of Mines Information Circular/1983)" (PDF). United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Cook, Colleen Ryckert. (2011). Kentucky : past and present (1st ed.). New York: Rosen Central. ISBN 978-1-4358-9482-2. OCLC 502304593.
  13. ^ Stern, Gerald M., 1937- (2008). The Scotia widows : inside their lawsuit against big daddy coal. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-1-4000-6764-0. OCLC 189699502.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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