Sonman Shaft Coal Company
1940

Unrecorded cyanotype map Sonman Mine Explosion Portage PA

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Map showing explosion area and workings in 16-17-18-rights off north dip slope mine

DESCRIPTION: SOLD

Unrecorded cyanotype (blueprint) map of the Sonman Mine disaster in Portage Township near Portage, Pennsylvania. On July 15, 1940 sixty-three miners were killed as the result of a methane explosion in the Sonman "E" mine. Some of the miners suffocated slowly after the explosion; a few had time to write notes to their families before they expired.

The trace used for this blueprint map was produced by the Sonman Shaft Coal Company on July 31, 1940, a short two weeks after the explosion. From the presentation of the artifact, it was generated from the trace at some point after July 1940 (shows evidence the trace was torn and folded).

The map shows locations of the miners' bodies and notes numerous other items found and the status of the mine in many locations, all providing clues as to the cause of the explosion. Bodies of numerous mules are shown, a reminder of their importance in mining operations a bit more than eighty years ago. Among the numerous notes are:

"8 sticks explosives undisturbed in box"
"2 shirts blown in bye not burnt"
"Hangers broken off. Trolley wire thrown on run-a-way switch lever considerable coke around lever"
"Distance from broken light to trolley wheel is 7.5 feet. Trolley was resting on sleeve..."
"C.H4 = 0.05 at cave" [CH4 is the chemical compound Methane]

Scale 1" = 100' . No. F-649. Drawn and traced 7-31-40 by J.M.B.

A cyanotype or blueprint map is produced by overlaying an inked trace map over a piece of specially treated blueprint paper and exposing to sunlight for up to 20 minutes. The paper is then washed, and any areas that have not been exposed to sunlight (like lines and print) wash clean, revealing the white base of the paper. All areas that were exposed to sunlight turn a shade of blue.

CREATOR: Sonman Shaft Coal Company

PUBLICATION DATE: 1940

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: N/A

CONDITION: Very Good. Some browning at folds, mostly mitigated from washing. Flattened. No holes or tears.

COLORING: Blue

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 34 " x 21 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 62

PRICE: $

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