The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

FURTHER EXPLOSIONS AND WBB OF LIFE.

BARNSLEY, THURSDAY.
The terrible catastrophe which took place yester-
day, and which so far as regards the loss of life
exceedsany similar occurrence which has taken place
in this country, has unfortunately turned out more
serious than was anticipated. Duriiiglastnight, after
the workings, so far as the cupola, had been examined
by a number of the principal °ornery viewers
of the district, it was determined that volunteers
for bringing up those in the pit should be enlisted.
There were plenty present who cheerfully offered
their services, so that by morning upwards of sixty
bodies were brought to the top, all of which, with
one exception, were identified. About 6 o'clock
this morning about 37 volunteers went down to
relieve some of those who had been working ; but
sixteen afterwards came up, and seven more went
down. All went on pretty smoothly until about
9 o'clock when the signal was given from the
bottom to draw up, and the cages came up several
times crowded with the volunteers, who stated
that they felt the usual indications of an explo-
slon—the air being sucked away from them. Just
as one body of men had landed, and whilst a
number of their companions remained in the pit,
an explosion took place with Ont fining any consi-
derable damage to the top part of the machinery.
Thin was followed shortly afterwards by a second,
which threw up a vast quantity of dirt, covering
several of those who were in the vicinity of the
pit bank with dirt, and sending the cage in a
smashed condition into the top gearing, where part
of it now remains.
All persons were now warned off the ground as
it was evident that, contrary to expectation,
the pit was on fire. Of course the efforts
o: all parties were paralysed, as it was
plain that nothing could be done to save
those who had descended on their errand of
mercy, and who' in so doing had been sacrificed.
Amongst those who have lost their lives were Mr.
Parkin Jeffcock, of Sheffield, a member of a
wealthy family long connected with the coal trade
of South Yorkshire ; Mr. David Tewitt, of New-
castle, the steward at the Oaks ; Mr. W. Barker,
the under-viewer ; and Mr. C. Siddons and his
son, who were the deputies ; Mr. Smith, the
manager of the Lund-hill Colliery • and several
others not connected with the Oaks Colliery. After
this second catastrophe, of course whatever slight
hope wasprevioualyentertained that any living thing
could exist in the mine by the most sanguine rela-
tive, was dispelled, and the sorrowful faces of men
as well as women were truly painful to see.
Shortly before the second report Mr. C. Morton,
the government inspector, drove down, and on
being informed of what had taken place, he, along
with the colliery viewers present, had a long con-
sultation as to the course it was advisable to take
under the circumstances. This was conducted at
the colliery office, outside of which a large crowd
had collected, in the expectation that something
might ooze out as to the decision come to. The
result, however, was not made known, but it is not
unlikely that some such course as that adopted at
Lund-hill and Edmonds' Main, on the occasion of
the explosions at those collieries, will be pursued,
and where, it will be recollected, the workings were
deluged with water, as the only means of extin-
guishing the fire.
Up to the present time not more than five or six
of those brought out in the first instance are alive,
whilst those in the pit will number close upon 200,
so that the actual number of lives lost will not fall
far short of 360. The number of widows and
orphans caused by the catastrophe will be very
large indeed, whilst the male members of families
have been entirely swept away. One poor R oman
has lost no fewer than five sons, and another a
husband and three sons. The village of Hoyle
Mill is a scene of general mourning, there being
scarcely a home which does not show the emblem
of death, whilst in several parts of Barnsley there
is a similar display. The colliery bank presents
quite a forlorn appearance, the cage, or a part of
it, being closely jammed in the top gearing, from
which flutters a portion of the clothing of one of
the unfortunate men. The greatest excitement
continues, nearly every colliery in the district
being closed, the men appearing in great numbers
on the ground and thoroughfares leading to the

The Lord Mayor, on taking his seat in the
Mansiomhouse justice room, yesterday, announced his he
of opening a subscription list at the Mansion-houve
in aid of the families of the :WO persons killed at the Oaks
Pit, Barnsley. He said he should have a few gentlemen
sociAted with him to ensure the distribution of the funds
aplaced at his dispoal in a wanner best so;;;„:,
relief to the sufferers as soon as the necessities of the ease
should be known.

OFFICIAL IRISH ARSENTEES.—A correspondent
very properly calls our attention to the absence of certain
lieutenants of counties from their bailiewicks at the pre•
sent crisis, when it is the duty of every honourable man,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXPREAS. I and we will add woman, to stand firmly
at the post to
which circumstances ha appointed them. On consulting
SlR,—The high tide on the 24th ultimo created
rein sik. The tide rose 18th Oct. 1841, aft. airs. above Thorn's Direztory we find that some ten of these high tin
male appear to be absentees, mid thus that about a third of
Ti inay standard of high water ; 12th Dec. 1445, aft. 4in. -, the whole body are defaulters. These gentlemen fail in a
24th Jan. 1850, aft. 4in. ; 12th Nov. 1852;3ft. 7in. ; 27th
Feb. 18:4, 3ft. 3in. ; 24th Nov. 1866, aft. 4in. The Admi• threefold manner, and in the same proportion they inflict
injury upon their country. They evade the obligations of
nit', tide tables for if gave the calculated range for their. high offices ; they withhold their countenance and
19th March, as 20ft. Gin. ; 17th April, 20ft. 6in. ; 27th
Sept., 20ft. 3i. ;loth Oct., 20ft. sin. •, 24th Nov., 20ft. their money from the localities which have the strongest
claims upon both : and they set the worst possible ex-
3in. The north-west winds of the week prior to the Nth supple to other officials of lower rank. For these offenc a,
Sin.
fully account for the increased range.—l
J. B. REDMAN. in our opinion, the suitable punishnient would he removal
from office ; but as great laxity in matters of this kcouind has
6,Westminster-chambers, Victoria-street, Dec. 13. ' long prevailed, and as it has been unhappily nte-
.------------ nanced by a still higher phase of absenteeism, we
THE CATTLE Ptaocz. —The number of attacks would suggest that the immediate action of the go-
of cattle plague reported as having occurred in Great vernment should be limited to 'an earnest appeal
Britain during the week ending Bth December was 14 • to the sense of honour of the absent persons,
this is a decrease of 18 on the previous return. Fresh and a suggestion that any possible inconvenience might
utbreaks took place in two farms or places where cattle are be obviated by a surrender of their trust. But most
k kept; the number in the week preceding was six. Thirty- certainly action of this kind should not he taken only in
five healthy cattle were slaughtered during the week from the case of the highest officials. Every deputy-lieutenant,
having been in contact with diseased animals. The at- every magistrate, every executive official known to have
tacks repoved are for the following two petty sessional divi. deserted his post. either by personal ffight or by the n-
eon!' of England • viz. (Yorkshire, East Riding) South moval of his family under the influence of an unreasoning
Holderness, 2 bullocks. 2 steers, 2 heifers, and 7 calves ; Panic, should forthwith be called upon to resign his com
ing
and (Yorkshire, North Riding) West Bulmer, 1 cow. The mission or office. The slightest indication that such a
number of animals attacked since the commencement is measure would be adopted would, we are convinced,
2-13,783, and 52,-1:3-5 healthy cattle have been slaughtered promptly recall alarmists to their senses, and at the same
•
toprevent the spreadof the disesise.—A meeting of members time stop the cause of alarm at its source.—Dublin E rening
of the Smithfield Club, including Hr. Brandreth Gibbs,
Mail.
the hon. secretary, as well as agriculturists and breeders ADMIRALTY, DEC. 13.—APPOINTMENTS.—Pay
generally, was held yesterday, upon the subject of the master W. G. N. Burney, to the Alert. Acting Assistant-
renewed outbreak of the cattle plague and the intro- Surgeon Dr. Jtaues E. Saunderson, supernumerary to the
duction of hay and other foreign forage into this country Bristol.
as a means of its propagation, in the board-room DREADFUL AFFAIR FROM DRUNKENNESS.—On
of the Agricultural Hall. Mr. Torr, a member of the Thursday niurning, the 6th init., three horsemen, in the
council of the Smithfield Club, presided, and said the employ of the Misses Crump, were sent by Mr. Church,
meeting had been convened at the instigation of a number the bailiff, from the farm in thts town with a quantity of
of gentlemen connected with agriculture, who felt that corn in three waggons, drawn by three hones each, to
some protest ought to be made to the government against Maldou • they were to bring back °desire. There was
the importation of foreign forige from the continent. plenty of time for them to have returned borne to the
Hay was continued to be imported from Holland in large faun between 3 and 4 o'clock. Between 6 and 7 o'clock
quantities, although the cattle plague was known to be one of them only returned, but some short time
raging there worse than it had ever been in this country, after a waggon and horses came trotting up the
and it was considered that the government should be Maldon-read without any man in charge of them,
called upon to put a stop to so glaring an inconsistency. and turning the corner of the road safely, pro-
Mr. Dunn read a protest which had been drawn up by ceeded up to the farm, where they were stopped without
agriculturists of the north on this subject. Mr. Randall doing any mischief. It was now suspected that wane
moved a resolution to the effect that a representation be accident had happened, and on Mr. Church and several
forthwith made to the Privy Council urging that the of the inhabitant+ proceeding on the road, when they
government should imruediately make such regulations as arrived near the Blue Mills (Messrs. Dixon's) they found
would prevent the importation of hay, straw, or other one of the men he ground, and a hone, quite dead,
forage from any foreign countries known to be afflicted lying on him. Het was extricated as quickly as possible,
with the cattle
their. He remarked that the Dutch and Dr. Gimson,
_who was present, after examining him,
agriculturists sent their forage here as they had but few ordered his immediate removal to the Witham union. The
cattle of their own to eat it. The resolution was seconded other man was found to
her of
but in a perfectly
and carried unanimously. helpless state, and neither of them can give
Mina account of
SALE of IRONWORKS,—An agreement has been how the accident happened. The Blue 11-hill, down
entered into for the purchase by the Patent Shaft and which they came, is a very steep one. The driver of the
Ogletree Company, at Wednesbury, Staffordshire, of the last waggon was asleep, and when roused up was quite
Old Park Irouworks at the same place, the property of stupid. The hone killed was a valuable one i and we
Messrs. Lloyd, Foster,'
and Co. The purchase money is are sorry to add that two others are very seriously in•
300,00 W. ; it includes the plant, collieries, Sc., and the jured. Frederick Francis, the man taken to the unnn,
property extends over upwsuds of 900 acres. This agree- died on Monday.—Chelmsford C7tronick.
rnent was sanctioned at a meeting of the shareholders of Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham (mother of Alderman
the Patent Shaft and Asir:arse Company, held at Birming- Gresham, of the city of Lincoln, who died several years
ham on Wednesday, and in the course of the discussion ago, and widow of Mr. Joshua Gresham, of Short Ferry,
which then took place it was mentioned that the profits of Fiskerton) died (says the Stamford Mercury) on Sunday
Messrs. Lloyd, Foster, and Co. have avenged 70,0001. a last at Fiskerton, at the advanced age of 95. She was the
year. Mr. Sam Lloyd has been elected deput7-ehalr- mother of five children, grandmother of 29, great grand-
man of the ' company. . mother of 66, and great greet grandmother d &

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RIVER THAMES.-HIGH TIDES.