The Laurel Mine Disaster of 1884The Laurel Mine Disaster of 1884
The Pocahontas coal field, located in southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia, was one of the most productive coal areas in the United States. The town of Pocahontas, in Tazewell
Category: Disasters
The Buffalo Creek DisasterThe Buffalo Creek Disaster
In February, 1972, a coal company muck dam along Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, collapsed after a winter of heavy snow and rain. The resulting flash flood of
The Saltville Muck Dam CollapseThe Saltville Muck Dam Collapse
Christmas Eve, 1924, started like Christmas Eve always had, with people getting ready for family gatherings, caroling, and opening presents the next morning. That’s not what ended up happening in
The Eastman Chemical Plant ExplosionThe Eastman Chemical Plant Explosion
On October 4, 1960, there was a massive explosion at the Eastman Chemical Company plant in Kingsport, Tennessee. Several workers were injured or killed in an event the residents of
The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel DisasterThe Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster
Hawk’s Nest is in the mountains of West Virginia, not far from Fayetteville. From there you have a lovely view of the New River as it curves around the mountains
The Coal Mine Explosion At Farmington, West VirginiaThe Coal Mine Explosion At Farmington, West Virginia
On November 20, 1968, there was a massive explosion at the Consol number 9 mine near Farmington, West Virginia. This explosion resulted in the death of scores of miners, including
Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968
On this day in 1968 a worker operating a continuous mining machine in a mine owned by the Gauley Coal and Coke Company accidentally drilled into an abandoned mine shaft
Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914
On this day in 1914 the second worst mine disaster in West Virginia, after the Monongah explosion in 1907, occurred at the Eccles No. 5 mine in Eccles, West Virginia.
The Sultana Explodes – April 27, 1865The Sultana Explodes – April 27, 1865
On this day in 1865 a Mississippi riverboat named the Sultana caught fire and burned after one of its boilers exploded. The boat was packed past capacity with Union prisoners
The Crash Of The ShenandoahThe Crash Of The Shenandoah
In 1923 a rigid airship, made with new material produced by Alcoa Aluminum in Pittsburgh, became the U. S. Navy’s flagship aircraft. Two years later this airship came down in