The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-12 00:00:00

YHE FATAL COLLIERY EXPLOSION

IVEA-i-BA:RIVSLEY.

WORSBOROUGH, THURSDAY.

It has been already stated that during the opera-
tions for subduing the fire and recovering the bodies
the whole management of the colliery has been
placed in the hands of Mr. Mitchell, the managing
partner, and Mr. Brown, of the firm of Jeffcock and
Brown, mining engineers in Barnsley and Sheffield.
Owing to the ditroutent shown by the miners, these
gentlemen have deemed it prudent to consult Mr,
W. A. Potter, of Monk Bretton; Mr. Beecher, of
Thorn cliffe ; Mr. Pease, of Darfield Main; and Mr.
John Chambers, jun., of Chapeltown. Yesterday
these six gentlemen had a long consultation with
Mr. Morton, the Government Inspector, and Mr. R.
Maddison, of Worsborough Park Collieries. After
hearing the evidence of Mr. John Walton, the
underground steward at Darley Main Collieries, a
man of great experience, and nearly last to leave the
mine on Monday afternoon, they were unanimously
of opinion that the only safe course was to put water
into the pit and fill up the dip boards and engine
plane up to the low dip levels. The part of the
mine in which the explosion occurred is the lowest
level. From the bottom of the shaft to that point
the strata dip rapidly, and the workings conse-
quently are on a considerable incline. Water
poured into the mine by the shaft will, therefore,
find its way directly to the part of the mine where
the fire exists, and that part being filled, it will not
he necessary to put in any more water. Only a
very small portion of the mine will need to be flooded
to cover the fire, and the engineers will take good
care not to put in any more water than is absolutely
necessary, for every gallon that goes in has to be
drawn out again at considerable expense. The mine
is a very dry one, or by this time the part on fire
would have been under water. That it is still
burning is proved by the smoke and steam coming
from the cupola shaft yesterday.
The engineers having decided to let in water, it
was resolved to see a deputation of the workmen,
and explain to them the position of affairs. Six
men, representing not only this colliery, but also
other collieries in the district, who had volunteered
to go into the pit, were accordingly introduced.
They were told that it was quite impossible for any
human being to proceed to a greater distance from
the bottom of the shaft down the engine-plane than
about 150 yards, in consequence of the ventilation
being destroyed and the existence at that point of
smoke and after-damp. Any attempt to restore the
ventilation until the fire was extinguished could
only have the effect of producing another explosion
more violent than the previous ones, for the cur-
rent of air would fan the fire into a flame, and would
also drive the explosive gas upon it. In an attempt
to restore the ventilation on Monday several lives
were lost, and that circumstance made the engineers
very unwilling to risk the recurrence of a similar
catastrophe. The men after hearing these explana-
tions left the office apparently better satisfied that
there was good reason to abandon any attempt to
go down the pit, and they promised to explain mat-
ters to the men outside. The women related to those
in the pit became thereupon extremely excited, and
urged on the men to acts of violence. Fortunately,
the crowd were divided in opinion as to the pro-
priety of allowing an exploring party to descend.
There were, however, mutterings of discontent to be
heard among the spectators. They gradually
ceased in the course Jf the day. About one o'clock
Mr. Morton left, and, as threats had been used to-
wards him, it was thought prudent to escort him to
his carriage by a body of police, but no attempt was
made to molest him.

The work of cutting the trench to let water into
the pit is proceeding as fast as possible, considering
the nature of the ground, but was not completed at
the time our despatch left. When this is accom-
plished the water will be turned into the mine and
the shafts closed and made air tight. Already
wooden platforms have been prepared to cover the
mouths of the shafts, and on them will be placed
clay and other things to keep out the fresh air. The
engineers are decinedly of opinion that the fire is
still smouldering, and may continue to do so for a
considerable time. As it is in a position where no
current of air is palsing over it, no smoke would be
apparent. During Tuesday night the temperature
in both shafts was observed from time to time. In
the downcast it was about two degrees lower than
at the surface, and in the upcast it varied from 54
to 55 degrees. Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, it
had risen to 30 degrees.
Several additions have been made to the list of
men in the pit, which brings the number of dead up
to 59 or 60.
With a view of relieving the distress occasioned
by this calamity, the Rev. Mr. Banham has called a

meeting of the gentry of the neighbourhood to get
up a subscription. The proprietors of the colliery
have promised to give £2OO, and there is no doubt a
considerable sum will be raised in spite of the heavy
calls that are just now made on the benevolence of
the public. The necessity for immediate assistance

is evident to all who have inquired into the circum•
stances of the bereaved families, and will be acknow.
ledged by the public when the facts are known.

7HE CHESTERFIELD MURDER.

Yesterday morning the young woman Mary Ann
Holt was found sufficiently recovered to give evi-
dence, and the two prisoners, Thomas Flannery and
John Bail, were consequently brought up before
the magistrates at Chesterfield. The court was
well attended, notwithstanding the alteration of
the day of hearing, and, as before, there was a
large body of Irish assembled in front of the
municipal hall during the examination of the pri-
soners, despite the heavy rain. The young woman
Holt was brought to the court in a cab, and was
accommodated with a seat during the delivery of
her evidence. Previous to the prisoners being
brought in, they were shown to the young woman
In company with several other men, in order that it
might be ascertained whether she could identify
them as the two men who committed the murder.
Holt then gave her evidence, which was similar in
substance to that given at the inquest, and which
has already appeared in our columns, and when
asked if the prisoners were the men who committed
the outrage on Cooper, she said their dress, height,
and general appearance were very similar, but she
could not positively swear to them. She also stated
that the night was dark, and the only light near
was at the back of the men. The assault was over
in about two minutes, and she had not time to par-
ticularly notice the faces of the men, and she there-
fore refused to swear to them positively. The wit-
teas Holt being unable to speak decisively to the
men, the prosecution offered no further evidence,
and the mayor intormed the two prisoners they
would be remanded.