A walk to the site of the Sheppton Mine Disaster will be held Sunday, 50 years to the day when rescuers realized coal miners David Fellin and Henry "Hank" Throne had survived a mine collapse.
Those who attend the free, public event will learn more about the efforts to save the men, who were trapped for almost two weeks underground, said Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney, education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District.
The Schuylkill On the Move walk will take participants to the grave site of miner Louis Bova, whose body was never recovered from the mine. There, McKinney said, a short program will be held to memorialize Bova, recognize the survivors and pay tribute to the rescuers.
After the program, McKinney will share information about the rescue.
"We always try to focus on something historical while enjoying nature," McKinney said. Knowing that 50 years had passed since the disaster, he suggested the August walk.
Rescuers had spent all of Aug. 18, 1963, drilling a 6-inch borehole into the ground. At that point, there was no proof any of the men had survived.
When the hole was drilled to the correct depth, rescuers heard the miners' voices, but it would take several days to free the men. A special drill was used to reach Fellin and Throne, who were pulled to safety Aug. 27.
Ronnie Sando, Beaver Meadows, was among the rescuers and will be on hand for the Schuylkill On the Move walk.
"I'm the only guy living from Pagnotti's rescue crew," said Sando, who authored the book, "The Famous Sheppton Mine Rescue." "I was 25 at the time and even back then, I sensed that (the rescue) was a miracle."
McKinney is familiar with the area and said he would personally support efforts to make the area a community park or historic site.
Participants should meet in the parking area along Schoolhouse Road located off Route 924 in Sheppton. McKinney said walkers should wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the walk and bring water and snacks.
For more information, contact McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113, or porcupinepat@yahoo.com.
Schuylkill On the Move is a collaborative effort lad by the Schuylkill Conservation District working in concert with the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, Schuylkill Conservancy and Schuylkill County VISION.
"Our goal is to get people out into natural areas to reconnect, get healthy and at same time, learn history," McKinney said.