Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Port Griffith in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Knox Mine Disaster

 
 
Knox Mine Disaster Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008
1. Knox Mine Disaster Marker
Inscription.
On January 22, 1959, twelve men died in a tragic accident at the River Slope Mine near this site. The mine had been illegally excavated beneath the Susquehanna River at the direction of the Knox Coal Company. When the force of the ice-laden river broke the thin layer of rock, over ten billion gallons of water flowed through this and other mines. This disaster ended deep mining in much of the Wyoming Valley.
 
Erected 1999 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1848.
 
Location. 41° 18.796′ N, 75° 48.468′ W. Marker is in Port Griffith, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittston PA 18640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tinsley Hall (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); John F. Kennedy (approx. 0.6 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Captain Ann Bernatitus (approx.
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
0.7 miles away); Battle of Wyoming (approx. ¾ mile away); Christopher Columbus (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away).
 
Also see . . .
1. Knox Mine Disaster. Underground Miners website entry:
Brief discussion of the disaster and some photos of the site today. A rusty rail car indicates the location at the shores of the Susquehanna. (Submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 

2. Knox Mine Disaster. Entry from Explore PA History places the disaster in a historical context. (Submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Knox Mine Disaster image. Click for full size.
via Underground Miners, 1959
2. Knox Mine Disaster
At around 11:30 AM on January 22, 1959, the Susquehanna river broke through the thin rock roof of the River Slope Mine, Knox Coal Company. The hole became an estimated 150 feet in diameter, funneling in 10 million gallons of water and ice like a bathtub drain.
Knox Mine Disaster Marker and Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008
3. Knox Mine Disaster Marker and Monument
Knox Mine Disaster Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008
4. Knox Mine Disaster Memorial
A Memorial to the
Surviving miners
and those men entombed in the
Knox Mine
Disaster
Jan. 22, 1959

Samuel Altieri
John Baloga
Benjamin Boyer
Francis Burns
Charles Featherman
Joseph Gizenski
Dominick Koveleski
Eugene Ostroski
Frank Orlowski
William Sinclair
Donald Stefanides
Herman Zelonis
World War II Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008
5. World War II Memorial
Standing just a few feet north of the marker
In grateful tribute to the living and the dead for their valiant efforts and great sacrifices we nobly dedicate this memorial

May the almighty God grant that the liberty of mankind which only brave souls win and vigilance can guard shall live on for ages to come.
Eagle Air Shaft Marker image. Click for full size.
September 3, 2011
6. Eagle Air Shaft Marker
This marker is located along the Luzerne County Rail Trail walking/biking path. 41.3132N,75.81193W
Eagle Air Shaft Marker image. Click for full size.
September 3, 2011
7. Eagle Air Shaft Marker
Eagle Air Shaft Escape shaft for 33 men Knox Mine Disaster January 22, 1959
Knox Mine Disaster Site Marker image. Click for full size.
September 3, 2011
8. Knox Mine Disaster Site Marker
This marker is located along the Luzerne County Rail Trail walking/biking path. 41.31308N,75.81276W
Knox Mine Disaster Site Marker image. Click for full size.
September 3, 2011
9. Knox Mine Disaster Site Marker
The Knox Mine Disaster occurred on this spot Jan. 22, 1959 Twelve men died
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8,379 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   2. submitted on February 7, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.   3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 3, 2011.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=10468

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024