Trapped: The Harrowing Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

On November 9, 1909, a massive explosion ripped through the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Illinois. The blast killed 259 miners and trapped 256 others underground. The rescue efforts that followed were some of the most heroic and dangerous in American history.

The Explosion

The explosion occurred at 7:45 a.m. in the Number 6 mine, one of several mines operated by the Cherry Coal Mining Company. The blast was so powerful that it could be heard for miles around. The force of the explosion collapsed the mine's shafts and ventilation system, trapping the miners underground.

Trapped: The Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

by Karen Tintori

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34059 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	261 pages

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There were no survivors from the explosion itself. The miners who were trapped were either killed by the blast or died from smoke inhalation or lack of oxygen.

The Rescue Efforts

As soon as news of the explosion reached the surface, rescue crews from all over the region rushed to the scene. The rescue efforts were hampered by the fact that the mine was completely collapsed. The rescuers had to dig through tons of debris to reach the trapped miners.

The rescue efforts lasted for days. The rescuers worked around the clock, using picks, shovels, and their bare hands to dig through the debris. They were constantly in danger of being crushed by falling rocks or suffocated by smoke.

On November 13, 1909, four days after the explosion, the rescuers finally reached the trapped miners. Of the 256 miners who were trapped, only 18 were still alive. The other 238 had died from smoke inhalation, lack of oxygen, or injuries sustained in the explosion.

The Lessons Learned

The Cherry Mine Disaster was a tragedy that claimed the lives of 259 miners. The disaster led to a number of changes in the way that mines are operated, including:

• The establishment of safety regulations for mines
• The development of new rescue techniques
• The creation of mine rescue teams

The lessons learned from the Cherry Mine Disaster have helped to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the years since.

The Cherry Mine Disaster was one of the worst mining disasters in American history. The tragedy claimed the lives of 259 miners and left a lasting legacy of pain and sorrow. The disaster also led to a number of changes in the way that mines are operated, which have helped to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the years since.

Trapped: The Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

by Karen Tintori

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34059 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	261 pages

FREE