Image: Library of Congress
In 1942, Office of War Information photographer John Collier visited the Montour No. 4 Mine of the Pittsburgh Coal Company in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Montour No. 4 was a mine for bituminous coal, one of the most volatile forms, requiring the miners to vigilantly monitor for the presence of flammable gases.
Collier followed the miners as they moved underground through the near-horizontal drift mine, laying track for machinery, drilling and blasting with dynamite, all the while maintaining caution for possible collapses or explosions.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners prepare to ride down into the mine.
Image: Library of Congress
A helpful sign on a safety door.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Miners pick up safety lamps from the lamp room.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A miner tests for the presence of flammable gas using a safety lamp.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners install timber supports.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners adjust a block signal.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners drill a hole for blasting.
Image: Library of Congress
A miner detonates a stick of dynamite.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners break for lunch in the machine shop.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A miner tests for flammable gas using a safety lamp.
Image: Library of Congress
A mechanic.
Image: Library of Congress
A miner tests the stability of the tunnel roof.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A section of the mine with an unusually high roof due to poor ceiling quality.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners lay track for machinery.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners pull down an unstable roof.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners operate a machine for gathering coal.
Image: Library of Congress
Miners drill a hole for blasting.
Image: Library of Congress
Mechanics repair equipment.
Image: Library of Congress
The section foreman and assistant mine superintendent review the day's work.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
The mine foreman waits for the afternoon shift.
Image: Library of Congress
Mine engineers check surveys after a day's work.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
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