50th Anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster

This disaster ended deep mining in the Wyoming Valley.

http://www.undergroundminers.com/knox.html

I believe that all deep mining in the Scranton area shut down as well. Huber mine in Ashley continued to operate until 1967 thanks to a grant from the U.S. Government obtained by Congressman Dan Flood. The grant was for installation and operation of high capacity pumps in South Wilkes-Barre.

Click here for the official report on the disaster.

all mining in scranton ended in and around 1966-67. they are 2 separate mine pools. the state took over mine water pumping sometime in the early 50s i believe but shut the pumps down in november of 1960. as the mines slowly filled with water through natural ground water seepage, only the slopes and drifts on the sides of the valley remained open. this disaster didnt shut down the entire wyoming valley, although most of it was. it directly effected pittston and upper wilkesbarre. it is important to note that every gallon of water that entered knox was later pumped back out after they sealed the breach in the river except for the 2 lowest veins! there were a few mines down by huber, wanamie and nanticoke that remained open either mining higher veins or had intact barrier pillars.

more: http://www.ironminers.com/mineforum/vie ... hp?t=20059