The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-20 00:00:00

DEMERARA.

The traffic receipts on this company's lines for the
fortnight ending the 12th of November amounted to
5,360 dole., against 4,056 dole. in the corresponding
period of 1863, showing an increase of 1,34 dole.

The Frightful Catastrophe at the Black-
heath Railway Tunnel.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'dloc k, Mr E. J. Carttar,
coroner for West Kent, opened an inquiry at the
Railway Tavern, Blackheath, into the circumstances
attending the death of five man, named William
Jones, William Wade, William Seeby, Robert
Morris, and Henry Smith, alias Peachy, who were
killed by the frightful accident which took place on
Friday evening last, in the Blackheath Tunnel on
the North Kent line of the South-Eibtern Railway.
Mr Freeland, solicitor, and Mr Knight, traffic
superintendent to the South Eastern Railway, aps
peared to watch the proceedings on the part of the
company.

Jury having been sworn and Mr Whitaker
chosen as foreman,

The Coroner observed it was scarcely necessary
that he should refer to the fact that a fearful cala'
mitt' had occurred in that locality, except for the
purpose of reminding the jury that it would be their
duty to make a most searching investigation, in
order, if possible, to arrive at the cause of the death
of these unfortunate men. The jury were no doubt
aware that for a long time a very important regula-
tion, conducive to the safety of the public, had been
observed upon the North Kent and other lines of
the SouthPEastern Railway, viz., that no train
should leave one station for another station until a
message was received that the line was clear. It.
would be for the jury to consider whether this ex-
cellent regulation had been observed on the present
occasion, or whether this accident had arisen from
its non-observance. The coroner then referred to
various points in the case which were especially
worthy of attention.

Mr Freeland said that Captain Tyler, R.E., the
Government Inspector, had that day gone over the
line, and was then in attendance; but if his evi-
dence wou!d not be required at present he was
anxious to leave immediately for Scotland.

The Coroner said he mast take the evidence in the ordi-
nary course, and did not think that the evidence of Captain
Tyler would be required on that day.
Mr. Woollett, barrister, stated that he appeared on behalf
of
tljulor
nne
eel, rityntteho having
unn rgs tl ,
signalman
nwasi,LlD heneaed the bodies of the deceased men
The followirg evidence was then taken :
Thomas Oldand Kent-
-1 la
road,'titohimdetyansht identified
dbi neteghnne:nlbdot' dhoieefsse6lrfovitehCeello of rtehlcocetatSscfe:dus ttrmhe- Ea stern It ail-
with the exception of Jones, who had only been employed
about a fortnight.
Thomas Dowse,tt, of Astford, an engine-driver in the
servicesaid he had charge of a ballast-
trainwith the train about a quarter-past three. The train
train
boiler, a nbda
d a
weighed
pressure the
on of
Fridaythe company,afternoon
olast. lie started from Dartford
elated of 22 loaded trucks, two breaks, an engine, and con-
der.ten-
te r I
ballast
1101bs to the square inch. They stopped between Dartford
and Erith to heave out the ballast from eight trucks.
same
abou as
t
b
nt was
trains. an ordinary
lry he
They then took on nine other loaded trucks of ballast and
bricks. Next stopped at Abbey Wood, where they de•
la
teethed the eight empty trucks and proceeded to Charlton
station, where ho stopped by signal, and remained about 15
minutes. When he left the Charlton station the train con-
sisted of 23 loaded trucks with breaks and engine. The
front guard rode with him, and he acted under his direc-
tions. A number of men were in the break behind the
train, which left Charlton about a quarter-past four o'clock,
Between
get out, After
proceeding through the tunnel about half way the train
commenced slipping in cense
slackened
in Arsenalor d e
ran to d the
was enable 3
cm a m
en t 0
(Nonce of the greasy state of
eblat ok or front, I do not know
the rails, and the ballast-guard Lancaster
got down and
proceeded back to uncouple halt of the train. He then
a
came back to witness to ey the train was uncoupled, and
a jar, and said, " Some.
which," Lancaster then told witness to
proceed on with
the front part of the train to Blackheath, and he did so.
tbt
inthgeb saaa'm ceome momentinto itlaierts
us, either f
At that time he was aware that something had
ran into the hind portion of the ballast train. On nearing
the Blackheath station witness held up both hands to the
first person he saw belonging to the company and called out
4, hold hard." He then shunted his waggons_ and imme-
diately afterwards Lancaster came merlin_ '
g into the station
and gave information that the collision had happened.
By the Coroner—He had been in the employ of the com-
pany for two years, and Prev- i
01181 e in the service of the
Great Northern Railway Compan-
e for eight years. He did
not think that the load of ballast was too much for the en-
gine. He, as well as Lancaster, the Stoker, and the breaks-
man, was perfectly sober. Ballast trains were not fixed to
any time as to arrival at any station, but had to make the
best of their way between the passenger trains from station
to station. He could not state the length of the ballast train.
Each of the waggons were
placed close—buffer to buffer.
He knew by the time-table that about the time ho loft
Charlton the express passenger train would be at Woolwich
Dockyard. It usually takes about 15 minutes to come with
a ballast train from Charlton to Blackheath. We have to
notice a signal between Charlton and Blackheath, just at the
entrance of the tunnel. On this occasion that signal was
all clear.
By Mr Freeland—The time allowed for a passenger train
to pass through the tunnel i'sseven minutes.
By the Coroner—lf We can't get on with a ballast train
we generally move some of the trucks.
By Mr Woollett—The train slipped and went very slowly
before it came to a stand. It is the duty of the breaksman
to go back and see if the train does come to a stand. He did
not know whether the guard or any other person was pro-
vided with fog signals. ;

By the Jury—He received no intimation b3fore entering
the tunnel that the rails were in a bad state. He had pre-
viously been with a train in the tunnel, when some of the
ballast waggons were detached in the tunnel. On that occa-
sion the signalman was informed of it, and the guard had
some fog signals.

Robert Bartley, a stoker in the service of the company,
residing at Ashford, said he had been employed by the com-
pany ten years. He was with the train in question, and on
arriving at Charlton, the train was stopped, which was
rather a bad thing.,
as they could not get through the tunnel
so well afterwards. On getting up to the curve in the tunnel
the train came almost to a standstill, and witness got offend
walked with it. The tunnel was then full of steam and
smoke. Lancaster the guard, uncoupled the train and sent
the fore part and engine on to Blackheath. Witnosa after-
wards said to a signalman, "We have only got half of our
train out and have left the other half in the tunnel," and
the man said, " Oh, what shall I do ?'' Witness rejoined,
" I don't know what you will do."
By the Coroner—At that time the signal was all right for
us to proceed onwards, and he said to a signalman, " Don't
signal us on as wo have left part of our train in the tunnel."
The shock of the collision must have been great, or we
should not have felt it in the front past of our train. lie
distinctly felt a hump.- When he found the lino was very
slippery he got down mid placA some grit, &,- on the rails.
He had worked with the present driver of the ballast train
since March last. Two down trains passed during tlio time
that the ballast train wag proceeding from Charlton to Black-
heath.

1V:92. Henry Lancaster, of Ashford, said he was guard of
the ballast traiu in question, and he thought the weight of
the train was 122 tons. This was not a heavy weight. He
never placed a heavy train en the North Kent lino. The
train was detained at Charlton about 15 minutes, which
was au unusual time. He rode on the engine for the pur-
pods of giving instructions as to taking up and setting down

men. On leaving Charltcn witness said they must get on as
fast as possible, as a passenger train was just coming up.
About half way through the tunnel the rails were in a bad
state, and the train soon came to a stand still. Shortly
afterwards the train came up and the collision took place.
At that moment witness had not uncoupled the hind wag-
gons from the remainder of the ballast train, but he did
so after the collision, in Qrder to send forward the en-
gine to Blackheath as soon as possible. Witness
slipped whilst trying to get on the engine, and he there-
fore ran through the end of the tunnel to Blackheath station
and informed the stationmaster, Mr Chapman, that a colli-
sion had taken place, as he could hear the cries of the pas-
sengers. Witness then went back with an engine to the
spot, and found that one carriage had been broken up and
others injured. As soon as possible the killed and wounded
were taken away, assistance having arrived from London
and Blackheath. The men killed were riding in a break
which had been placed at the end of the ballast waggons
for their accommodation.

By the Coroner .—There are no shafts in the tunnel, but
there aro man holes at regular intervals. The broakstnan
with the train is now in the hospital,
David Tucker, a signalman at Angeratein's Junction, be-
tween Charlton and Blackheath, said—On Friday afternoon
last the 3 30 train from Woolwich arrived at Charlton at
3 39, and he received the latter signal. A coal train left
Angerstein's-wharf at 3 59, proceeding up, and witness
signalled to Charlton, " All clear." The witness then
described the nature of the signals given. At 412 witness
received a message from Blackheath that the coal train had
passed, and at 4 14 he received another message that the
ballast train had arrived at Charlton. About six minutes
after the latter message the ballast train went past his box
and entered the tunnel, At 432 he received a signal from
Blackheath, " All clear," and sent on the message to
Charlton. About 15 minutes after the passenger train went
past his box and entered the tunnel, About 458 the guard
Sparks came to him and told him to stop all up and down
trains, as something was wrong in the tunnel, and he did so.
By the Coroner—The atmosphere was very heavy in
the tunnel on that day.
By Mr Freeland—l havo orders from Mr Knight to
sand the rails at the entrance of the tunnel when necessary,
I did not do so that morning, as I did not consider it
necessary. The signals are, a bell at Charlton and a gong
at Blackheath.

Charles Edwin Bartholomew, a lad who is employed
as assistant booking clerk and telegraphic operator at the
Blackheath station, said on Friday afternoon he received
the following message—" From Charlton,—Train waiting."
Ile received that message at 4.31. A p.rter named Jupp
conveyed that message from witness to the signalman, who
was in h's box.

Jesse Jupp, porter at the Blackheath station, proved sap
ing to Jones, the signalman, "A train is waiting at the
Charlton station," Jones replied, " Very well," and said
he thought that something had been signalled up before,
as he had received throe beats. Witness left the station ira-
me iately afterwards, lle delivered the message to Jones
instantly he received it from the witness Bartholomew.

By Mr Woollett—Jones dii not seem quite to understand
about the signal, as he said ho thought ho had received a
signal before.

Zebulon Card said he was signalman at Chariton station.
On Friday last a ballast train arrived at the station at 4.2,
leaving the dockyard station at 3. 56. The train left Charl-
ton at 4,14. It was detained in consequence of a message
received from Angerstein's signalman, " Stop all up." The
next train was the passenger train leaving Maidstone at
2,40. That train was detained at the Charlton station about
12 minutes, and left at 4.32, a message having beenreceived
from B!ackheatb, " Ail clear." _ _

George Claydon, stationmaster at Charlton, stated that
in consequence of the passenger train being detained at the
Charlton station 12 minutes, he sent a message upwards,
" Train waiting," and immediatety afterwards received a
message, "All clear up." _ _

By Mr Woollett—l made the inquiry, as the train had
waited an unusually long time.

John W. Cowen, a carriage cleaner at the Blackheath eta
tion, proved seeing the front part of the ballast train ap-
proaching the station, and he informed the stationmaster
that something was wrong, as the train was disconnected.
Edward Duncan Chapman said he had been station-
master at Blackheath about 15 years. Oa the afternoon
of Friday last ho received information that an engine
and part of a ballast train was approaching the station,
and ho was then informed that several trucks and a
break forming part of the train had been left in the tunnel.
Ho immediately went to Jones, the signalman, and said "I
hope you have given all necessary and proper signals," and
Jones replied, "I am afraid I have done something wrong,
and have given clear.' " Witness immediately tele-
graphed to Charlton, " stop all up," and received a reply
that the train had started from Chariton several minutes.
Ho then felt certain that a catastrophe must have occurred,
and stopped the half-past four down train from London, Ile
also telegraphed to Mr Knight, the traffic superintendent,
at London-bridge, informing him of the state of affairs, and
afterwards did all he could to remove the sufferers fr.:Pm the
tunnel. He considered that Jones was ono of the most effi-
cient men employed at the station, or he should nut have
allowed him to occupy his position.

By Mr Woollett—Jones bad only been employed about a
week at the signal-box continuously. He was set on in
consequence of ihe illness of another man. He first was on
night duty three nights, and was then on day duty: The
hours for day duty were from so yen until six, and the wages
were NI is per week, He was previou,ly employed as a
porter at wages of Ms per week. If the party for whom he
was acting had recovered, that man would have returned to
his duty in the bi g n a!- bo x and Jones would have resumed
his position as porter. The egnalrnan has to attend to the
traffic on the up and down lines. Tones had told witness
ho should not like to be acting constantly as signalman,
because he did not like the confinement; hut he had never
told wilnees that he did not like the responsibility of the
position, or that he would not have the position for 50s per
week, If he had said this witness should certainly have
considered him an unfit man for the situation, and should
have removed him,

By Mr Freeland—Jones had performed similar duty on
Sundays for the past 12 months, and witne.ss considered
him a very safe and most efficient man for such a duty.
By the Coroner—lt was not an uncommon thing to part
the trains in the tunnel. 4.ny extraordinary stoppage in
the tunnel was always reputed to the general manager, and
on every such occasion an inspector was sent down and a
strict investigation made, If this accident had not taken
place he should have reported the stoppage of the ballast
train in the tunnel, and an inquiry would have taken place
as to its cause. The tunnel was inspected every day by a
ganger. He could not account for the stoppage of the bsl-
last train in the tunnel unless it was that the loconad.ive
had not sufficient power. The hours fcr the signalman were
from 7 to 6 daily, and of course he had to be constantly at
his post.
The Coroner observed it appeared to be a groat many
hours for a man to be poring over such important duties,
with scarcely any intermission throughout the day. He
thought it was very probable that, had a passenger train
come up between the coal train and the ballast train. th
mistake would not have been made, but the ballast train
coming immediately after the coal train, the signalman was
confused. He thought it was a very extraordinary and dan-
gerous practice to divide a train in a tunnel. It would be
bad enough to do so on an open part of the line, but it mus
be much worse in the tunnel, where the smoke and dark-
ness n ere so dense that a light could scarcely be seen.
Mr Claydon, stationmaster at Charlton, was then re
called, and confirmed the statement of Mr Chapman, the
stationmaster at Blackheaih, as to the messages which
passed between them, after the passenger train had been
started from Charlton. -

Mr James F. Cudworth, Chief engineer of the South
Eastern Railway Company's locomotive factory at Ashford,
Kent, was then examined, and stated that ho knew the
engine which was attached to tho ballast train c.n last Fri-
day afternoon. It was built by Robert Stephenson and Co..
and was in every respect good, and able to convey the load
attached to it on the occasion. It was a 16-inch cylinder
engine, and all the wheels were coupled, It had more than
sufficient power to convoy a load of LO tone, but he believed
that in consequence of the slippery state of the rails in the
tunnel the engine could not Use its power. Bad or crippled
engines were never sent out from the factory. It would not
be to the interest of the company or the servants employed
to use such engines. The gradients in the Blackheath tun-
nel were 1 in 68.

The witness was cross-examined by the jury without any
material result.

In reply to a Juryman, Mr Chapman stated that it was
against alt rules of the company for a train to back to get
out of danger. Such a courso would be attended with the
utmost danger.

Tho witness Dowsett was then recalled, and said that he
had on that day seen the engine referred to at the Brick-
layer's Arms station, and it was much out of order. The
pumps could not be got to work. On. the afternoon of the
accident the pumps worked very well when the train left
Charlton, but they did not work when the train arrived in
the tunnel.

In reply to the Coroner, Mr Chapman stated that on the
afternoon in question no other person than-Jones was in the
signal-box, and Jones was not allowed to have any other
person in the box.
The book kept by Jones, in which ho had entered the
signals he had given, was then produced, and Mr Chap-
man identified the entries as being the handwriting of
Jones.

Mr Woollett said, on the part of Jones, he was quite
ready to say that he had given the signal as stated.
Tho Coroner—But we must have everything proved. If
this shonld turn out a criminal matter, Jones cannot be
allowed to eriulnate himself.

Mr Woollett then read i.wo clauses from the book of
instructions issued by the company; but they did not ap.
pear to bear in any material manner upon the present case.
This being the whole of the evidence at present adduced,
the Coroner observed it would be necessary to adjourn the
inquiry. On the next day he should hold an inquest at
Woolwich on the body of the man Helium, who died at the
Royal Marine Hospital from injuries received at the acci-
dent. He did not, however, propose to receive any evidence,
but simply to have the body identified. It would be well
that some of the railway officials should attend notwith-
standing.
The inquiry was thee adjourned until Wednesday week,