The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10 00:00:00

THE DANGERS OF THE MINE.

On Monday a most appalling accident occurred in
North Brancepeth Colliery, near the city of Durham,
by which two sinkers were instantly killed. The pit
has been opened about nine months, and is the property
of the North Brancepeth Coal Company. About four
o'clock in the morning, Henry Kenny, deputy master
sinker, and John Dove, sinker, who had been engaged in
putting m the lower permanent set of pumps, were
ascending to bank in the " kibble," drawn by the
" jack" rope. They had guided the end of a thick rope,
which was being lowered by a patent winch to the cradle,
past some timber, and had reached an altitude of be-
tween eight and ten fathoms from the tip, when from
some cause, which will be the subject of official
investigation, the winch, which was manned by four
hands, began to run amain, sending the thick rope
into the mine with terrific velocity. The banks
-
man, Bainbridge, and a person named Gillespie,
standing at the pit mouth, witnessed the speed with
which the cradle rope wee going down, and Bain-
bridge shouted to the brakesman to lift the " kibble "
with all poesible despatch—an order which was instantly
obeyed. At the same moment the two men named
heard Kenny shout, "Bend away "—i.e., 'haul up."
Almost directly afterwards the end of the cradle rope
flew off the winch and disappeared within the depths
of the shaft: At the same moment the " kibble " sus-
tained a check which almost stopped the engine, and
directly afterwards the iron vessel was drawn out of
the shaft minus the two men, who but an instant
before were known to be within it. It was at once
surmised that the blow from the end of the rope as it
flew down the shaft had either knocked the poor
fellows off their perch on the kibble, or had upeet the
latter and precipitated them down into the "sump,"
a distance of about SO fathoms, and in which:about 17
fathoms of water had accumulated. . .

Mr. Thompson, the viewer, and some of his sub-
ordinates were soon in attendance at the mouth of the
pit, and under their direction parties of sinkers
were sent down to look for the missing men. The wreck
of the cradle was found floating on the top of the
" sump," but nothing was to be Peen of the men. The
pumping-engine was at once put on to full power,
while grapnels were taken down the shaft to drag
for the bodies. Encumbered as they were by the rope
which had caused the mischief, however, all efforts
were abortive until about half-past 2 o'clock,
when, the water having been reduced to about three
fathoms, the body of the unfortunate deputy
master sinker was found and brought to bank. He had
sustained very severe injuries about the head, and had
evidently been killed before reaching the "bump."
The body of the other man was found two hours after-
wards; and although it was surmised that he had
fallen iuto the water head foremost, he had few marks
about him. The two bodies were at once placed in
coffins, which had been prepared for their reception,
and conveyed to their respective homes at Langley
Moor. _

Kenny was 30 years of age, and leaves • widow and
four children, while DOVIB, who was 26 years a age,
leaven a widow and two children.

JAPANESE Naws.—A Press despatch from
San Francieco states that the Japanese Embsasy and
mite, with the exception of the Prime Minister, arrived
in the most outlandish English ready-made garments
of all styles since the flood, but soon discsrded them
for the most fashoinable clothing obtainable. The
Prime Minister still adheres to the native costume of
richly-embroidered satin. Five of the Japanese Pete-
canes were to go to Vassar College. News came with
them that three Japanese mm-of-war would start for
Europe shortly to meet the Embassy there. A fire at
the Ysahlwara teahouses destroyed 400 houses, and 80
women were burnt or drowned in the surrounding
ditch. Firm at Yedo are reported, all mused by the
aweless use of kerosene. A naval review was held at
Fed°, the Mikado being present, and apparently
much Weak&