The Yellow Jacket Mine Fire

Early in the morning of April 7, 1869, day shift miners were lowered into the depths of the interconnected Yellow Jacket, Crown Point, and Kentuck mines. A fire at the 800-foot level, probably caused by a night shift miner's misplaced candle, collapsed the drift and trapped everyone below. Powerful down-drafts filled the mine shafts with hot, suffocating gases, and few rescues succeeded. At least 35 miners died, and many bodies were never retrieved. After three days, the mines were sealed to extinguish the fire. The rock in these sections remained hot for three years, and the tragedy helped gain support for labor and funding of Adolf Sutro's tunnel.

Nevada · United States