Pocono News Section

Remembering the Knox Mine Disaster

Remembering the Knox Mine Disaster - Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 9:31PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Sunday, Jan 20, 2008 @09:31pm EST
PORT GRIFFITH, LUZERNE COUNTY - Dozens of people in Luzerne County spent Sunday remembering a tragic event that virtually ended deep coal mining in Northeast Pennsylvania.

A mass which commemorated the 49th anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster was held Sunday at Saint Joseph's Church. After the mass, a special blessing was held at the Knox Memorial, which is located outside the church.

Twelve miners were killed on January 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River flooded the mine, trapping 81 men underground. Most of the men escaped and many of the people who turned out remember the event like it was yesterday.

"I believe all the men in Port Griffith worked in the mines. That is all they did. All the families were coming down that day: wives, mothers, they all came down the hill to see if their loved one was coming back," Theresa Harenza remembered.

After the mass, several people walked to the site of the disaster, where they placed candles at the site of the mine. Many family members of the men who were killed also turned out. They say it is a day they will never forget.

"It was a very horrible day and it is still etched in my heart. It will never go away," Audrey Baloga said. Baloga lost her father in the disaster.

Experts say the Knox Mine Disaster made our area lose 7,500 mining jobs and cost a total of $32 million in lost wages.