The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, IVEDNSDA.Y MORNING, JULY 15, 1846,

TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. , EXPLOSIONS IN COAL MINES.
WHITEHALL, JULY 11, 1846. The following are the more important portions of the
The Queen has been pleased to direct letters patent to be report of the gases and explosions in collieries, by
passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, ap- Sir Henry T. De la Beetle and Dr. Lyon Play-fair (just
presented to Parliament by command of her Niftiest)).
brae
Henry Charles Duke of Norfolk to be Master of the
110 to her Majesty. SIR HENRY T. DE LA BECHE AND DR. LYON PLAYFAIR
CROWN- OFFICE, Jurx 14. To VISCOUNT CANNING.
MIXBERS RETURNIM To assays IN THIS raxsix?
Muse um of Economic Geology, June 1, 1846.
PAW lAMBS?. My Lord—Hering in conformity with the instruc-
Borough of the Tower Hamlets—Charles Richard Fox,
' Lions contained in the Earl of Lincoln's letter of the 27th
Esq , Surveyor-General of bar Majesty's Ordnance.
Burghs of Ltith, &c.—Andrew Rutherford, Esq., Lord Ad- August, 1845, directed our attention to the composition
vocate of Scotland.
of the gases evolved from coal beds, to the mode of yen-
Town of Perth--The Hon. Fox Maul% Secretary at War. tilating collieries, and to the subject of explosions in
Borough of Halifax—The Right Hon. Charles Wood, them generally, we have the honour to submit the fol-
Chancellor of the Exchequer. lowing statement for consideration.
Borough of Taunton—The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere. The general result of our examination is, that the
Borough of Greenwien—James Whitley Deans Dundas, only inflammable constituent present in the explo-
Esq. one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. .
sive gas of collieries is carburetted hydrogen or the
' City of Gloucester—Captain the Hon. Maurice Fredenck
Eihardinge Berkeley, one of the Lords Commissioners of damp ; there is not a trace of (defiant gas, and only
the Admiralty. in one out of the eight gases analysed is there
City of Chester—John Jervis, Esq., her Majesty's At- hydrogen. It follows from the previous analyses
torney-Generat. that the issii3 of fire damp into the atmosphere of a
Borough of Eveshacc—The Right Hon. Arthur Marcus mine must deteriorate the air by adding an undue pro-
Cecil Hill, commonly:called Lord Marcus Hill. Comptroller portion of nitrogen gas: in one case this gas amounts to
of her Majesty's Household. tweets-one per cent. During an explosion the oxygen
Borough of Tiverton—The Right 11-ni. Henry John Via- eecessary to the respiration of the workers is removed
count Palmerston, one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries . .
by uniting with the carbon of the fire damp, and thus
Btate.gh of Devonport—The Right Hon. George Grey,
of Borough
producing carbonic acid, a gas most fatal to animal lite.
orou
Bart., one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. This carbonic acid, mixed with the residual nitrogen of
Borough of Manchester—The Right Hon. Thomas Milner the atmospheie, and that present in the explosive gas
Gibson, Vice President of the Board of Trade. itself, forms what is termed after-damp, which produces
Borough of Plymouth—Hugh, Forteseue Esq., commonly effects more fatal even than those arising from the explo-
called Viscount Ebrington, one of the Lards Commissioners lion. It often happens that after an explosion a sufficient
of her Majesty's Treasury. quantity of oxygen remains to support the respiration
Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffdk. of those who survive its effects, were it not for the pre-
East Suffolk Regiment of Militia—J. N. Walker, Esq., to serve of carbonic acid. This gas when present in no
be Captain, June 19. greater proportion than one or two per cent , is capable
Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of
of producing the most injurious effects. It has therefore
Yorkshire, been-suveszed that cheap mixtures made of substances
North York Regiment of Militia—J. J. Robinson, Esq., to
be Captain, vice E. Turton, resigned, July 2. capable of absorbing carbonic acid, such as gLauber salts
Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. and lime, would prove useful to those who try to aid the
Derbyshire Militia—M. Brooks, Guat., to be Lieutenant, sufferers after the explosion. Such a mixture, placed in
April 20. a coarse bag and applied to the mouth, would effectually
Commission signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County absorb the carbonic acid and prevent it exercising an in-
Palatine of Lancaster. jurious etf, ct on the respiration. Certain'y the want of
Duke of Lancaster's Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry some such precaution in the case of the Jarrow explosion
--J. P. Lord, Gent.,"_to be Cornet, April 24. caused the death of a very meritorious man, Jacob Difty,
Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburth.
the overman of the pit.
Royal MidoLothian Yeomanry Cavalry—Captain W. R. .
zut explosion is, however, generally attended with
Ramsay to be' Major, vice Aitchison, decelsed ; Lieutenant
R. Trotter to be Captain, vice Ramsay, promoted, June 27. much more complex results than those described as at-
BANKRUPTS. tending the comnustion of carburetted hydrogen. The
George Swains Whitcl urch, hosier, Fleet-street. to surren- amount of fire damp which may be at first ignited may
der July 21, at two, and August 28 at halt-past eleven, at be trivial, and yet produce the most disastrous off ctq.
the Court of Bankruptcy. Aloiger, official assignee, Birohin- From its lightness it accumulates at. the upper part of
lane, Coruhill • Lawrence and Reed. _ the passages, and diffuses with considerable difficulty.
. _ _ _

Frederick Belloni, clock and watch maker, Shaftesbury,
July 23, at half-past one, and August 23, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basing-
hall-street; Gilbert and Co., Philpot-lane; Chitty, Shaf-
tisbury.
William Bundey, bui:der, Stamford-cottages, Stamford-
bridge, Fulham road, July 21,- at half past twelve, and Aug
21, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official as-
signee; ritisloint, and Wyatt, Gray's Inn-square.
Adam Gilfillan, draper, Pomeroy-street, Old Kent-road,
July 20, at one, mid August 26, at eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Pelmet!, official assignee; Surr and Gribble,
Lombard-street.
Robert Spooner, licensed victualler, Buckingliam-street,
Strand, July 21, at two, and August .26, at twelve, at the
Court of 'Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee ; Bell,
Craven-street, Strand.
Fred. rick theme .t Gray, lodging-housekeeper, Dalston,
Middlesex, July 23, at twt., and August 29, at three, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook-
court, Babinghall-street; Young and Sun, Mark-lane.
Thomas Wallis, halide, Colle4e-stre3t, Caelsea July 21,
at eleven, and August 29, at one, at the Court of Bankrutcy.
Follett, official a .si4nee, Sambrook-court, Basingball-street ;
Taylor. Lincoln's Inn-fields.
"Miriam Henry jun., silversmith, St. James's -
street, July 23. us twelv.., wet August 25, at half-past two, at
the Con: tof Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Alder.
matibury, City ; Teague, Crown-clurt, Cheapside.
Gerard l'olitu atilt Antoiliu Hipolito Llfargue, shipowners,
Gould-square, Crittchedfriars, July 22, at eleven, and A.ti.t.
22, at. half-past tw,,, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green,
official assignee, Allermanteary ; Phillips and Sun, Laurance
Poentaiey-lane.
William Henry Pe ise, John Robert Pease, rd W Ilium
Henry Thompson, win=-merchants, Ingran.-soar , Fen-
church-street July 24, at eleven, and Au,z. 29. at tar:), at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Alderman-
bury • Bird, Lincoln s Inn-fields.
"Wiliam Groves, tea dealer, Huntingdon, July 28, at one,
and August 29, at half-east two, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Green, official assignee, 18, Aldermanbury,Lond,m; lox and
Britten, Basinghall- street ; Martin, Hunnybun, Huntingdon.
Donald Maclean, dealer, Upper Brook-street, Grosvenor-
square, July 24, at twelvi,' and September 3, at eleven, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-
street Buildings; Lanes, Billiter-street.
Joshua Garsed, sen., and Joshua Gamed, jun., flax manu-
facturers, Leeds, July 27 and Aug. 14. at eleven, at the
Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee' Leeds; Sud-
low, Sons, and Torr, Chancery-lane, London; Lee, Leeds.
Thomas Read, cigar dealer, Manchester, July 24 and Aug.
27, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hobson,
official assignee, Manchester; Abbot, Charlotte-street, Bed-
ford-square; Atkinson, Sau.;ders, and Atkinson, Manchester:
James Smith Walters, surgeon, llakewell, Derbyshire,
July 28 and August 25, at twelve, at the Manchester District
Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manchester; Falcon, Elm-
court, Temple, London; Hacker, Leek; Oliver, Manchester.
Edwin Cox Nicholls, broker, Bristol, July 28, at twelve,
and August 25, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court.
Hutton, official assignee, Bristol; Savery, Clark, and Co.,
Bristol.

r far mom secure from danger than he now does, if assuto
that the state was not neglectful of his safety.
Though several collieries in particular districts pcs- •
sess good plans and sections of their workings, and an
inspection of such plans end sections affords a vieiv of
the system of ventilation and general mote of working
adopted, this is far from being the case generally, arid
has been much regretted alike by the enlighted coal-
owners and by the public. The importance of correct
plans and sections has been promir.er.tly pointed out, .
both by the Committee of the House of Commons in
1835, and in the report of the South Shields Committee
of 1843; indeed, the necessity of them is sufficiently
obvious.
Should the suggestion of a system of judicious inspec-
tion be deemed worthy of consideration, the ready
access to proper plans and sections of collieries, brought
up to given times, would necessarily form a part of any
general syl-tem of regulations. If correct (and power to
ascertain that they were so would he essential), they
would at once disclose the system of working and venti-
lation adopted, and, with information respecting the
police regulations, and an account of the kind of lights
employed, would at once afford a general view of the
mode of conducting any particular colliery, and of the
adjestmeet of the workings to conditions.
It being considered that safety lamps, properly used,
do effect much security in the working of coal, and that
in so many cases explosions do take place when they are
not employed, it has often been suggested that the Le-
gislature should corn, el the general use of safety lamps
in coal mines. But. on the other hand, there are many
collieries in which fire damp never app' ars, and it would
' justly be considered a hardship in such cases to compel a
precaution altogether unnecessary.
We would =tiegest that it could not be considered un-
just for the Legislature to compel the use of safety 'emus
in all fiery collieries; and, in the pre,ent state of Ihe
law of property, it m'ght even be prudent to assum"
that all collieries in districts where explosions have been
frequent are fiery, putting the onus probundi that they
are not upon the owners of such collieries, if proved to
the sati-faction of inspectors that no reasonable danger
was to be apprehended in their collieries, liee.ese ht
be given for them to work with naked candles, this
cen-e ceasing at short pet iods, but being renewable on
ascertaining that the condition of the mine had not
al ered.
Careful investigations into the causes of explosions in
colliery s, only part of which arrest public auk ntion by
their magnitude, appear to have led to the very general
conclusion that the condition of our collieries is most
unequal. While in some localities there is so little to
• improve that it becomes subject of regret that such
examples should more generally he followed, in others
it becomes a matter of surprise how the works can be
permitted to remain in so defective a state, seeing that
the owners themselves suffer much loss thereby. Under
such a state of things, and considering the number of
valuable lives annually lost by colliery explosions, the
contime d risk to which so many are daily exposed, the
national injury sustained by the imprudent' and careless
mode of extracting coal in. many 1,-calitics. one often felt
puressively also by the parties engaged in colliery spe-
culations, and that the workings for coal must be ad-
justed to local conditions, we are led to consider that
ti,ese evils might be at least mitigated by the careful
and judicious inspection of convenient districts by com-
petent persons, the necessary funds to be raised front
such districts by a very slight impost, not even exceed-
ing one farthing on each ton of coal raised in it ; and we
believe that the cauee of humanity arid the interests of
the coalowners would be alike benefited by a well-
considered legislative measure of this kind.
We have, &c.,
H. T. LE LA BECHE.
LYON PLAYFAIR.

..
often actir.g as a train, and communicating the explosion
to the pent-up reservoirs of gas in the goal's. It is thus
that in almost all accounts of explosions two are gene-
rally described as taking place ; the first local and at the
seat of the explosion ; the second more general, and
aided by an accumulation of foul gas in other outs of
the pit.
In 1835 a Select Committee of the House of Commons',
was appointed to inqiiire " into the nature, cause, and
extent of those lamentable catastrophes from explosions
which have occurred in the mines of Great Britain, with
the view of ascertaining and suggesting the means of
preventing the recurrence of similar fetal accidents."
The Committee were enabled ter este vain that during
the twenty-five years preceding these inquiries, 2,070
persons bad perished front colliery explosions ; and
they considered this numb r much underrated. During
the last ten years the rate of loss of lite from this cause,
has certainly not diminished. The experience of the
past year has shown that considerably more than 100
fens - eis have been known to have thus perished.
It has so unfortunately happened that during the
few months we have been engaged upon this iecptiry
two explosions, one at Jarrow, in Durham, and the other
at Risco., in Monmouthshire, have together dci rived
seventy-six persons of their lives, fiwty-one having
perished at the former, and thirty-five at the latter.
As much doubt has been thrown upon the real
safety of the Davy lamp, it is but jusi ice to the
memory of Sir Humphry Davy to state that he was
perfectly aware that, if a proper mixture of
fire damp and common air were thrown against
the lamp with sufficient force to project the flame
upon the g uze cylinder, it might communicate with the
flame, and ca:h.e explosion. Mr. Puddle, in his evidence
(tsport of Committee of 1835, No. 2,226 and 2.227),
clearly shows this to have been the case. He mention-
an experiment at Morton W est pit, where a very power-
ful blower from the shaft was tried with the lamp, when
the flame passed and the blower was fired. Sir Humphry-
Davy then, addressing Lord Durhan and many other
persons who were present, said, " Now, gentlemen, you
see the nature of the danger to which you are exposed
in using the lamp, and -I caution you to guard-against it
in the manner I have shown you. This is to show the
only case in which the limp will explode; and I caution
and warn you not to use it in any such case when you
can avoid it without using the shield." The shield re-
cummeeded was one of tin, inside the cylinder, to pre-
vent.a current of " fire damp" from acting on the flame.
Mr. 'Buddle stated before the committee that in the lamps
used in the collieries under his management the shield
passed from one-half to two thirds round the inside of
the cylinder, and, being bright, reflected the light to
such an extent as to be more advantageous than a
glass cylinder inside that of wire gauze, a contrivance
often recommended to obviate the risk of currents of
fire damp.
Without desiring, in the slightest degree, to cast un-
necessary doubt on the safety of the Davy lamp, sine
we consider its cautious use an immense boon to cod
tubing, and believe that much addiiienal security is ob•
tained by the proper use of the I,ri_iNal Davy, or of its
improvements, it can scarcely be denied that far more
care in the use of safety lamps is needed than is com-
monly employed. Although shields or glass cylinders
are used in some localities, they are never employed in
others ; and the bare single cylinder of wire gauze, m t
always properly manufactured, is the only form in which
the Davy lamp is known. And it should be observed,
that with a few local exceptions, the Davy lamp is that
commonly employed. Numerous modifications, and in
some cas -s improvements, of the sally lainp have been
made ; hut, either from the expense, or want of sim-
plicity in management, have never come generally
into use.
It has been at various times proposed, during the last
eight. years, el employ electricity as a means of
lighting collieries. The electricity, streaming be-
tween two charcoal points from a Grove's or
Bunsen's battery, affords a light of much beauty,
' and perfectly safe, it' completely surrounded by
glass, but capable of igniting an explosive mixture if ex-
posed. Professor Grove has constructed a lamp on this
principle, which 'ho kindly prepared for us, and which
we have examined in action. 'eft consisted of a box, con-
tali-deg four galvanic cells, drld the light was obtained
by the passage of electricity between two coils of plati-
num wire. These were surrounded with glass vessels:
, the inner one for the purpose of isolation, the exterior
' one being filled with water, so as to destroy the light
should the inner glass vessel be broken. The light elven
out was rather more than that of a minor's candle. This,
certainly, is a safe lamp, brit in its present state, still
unfitted for the purpose of the collier as at pre emit ar-
racgetl. The acids, sulphuric and nitric, render the
limp so iiiennveniewly le-avy, that both hatii:s must be
used in carrying it; besides, from act *beteg eotered. the
spilling of these corrosive liquids en the persons of the
, miners could scarcely be avoided. The water in the r x
tenor vessel soon becomes heated, sad ultimately boils,
a-id the light only lasts in proper strength for two or
three hours. There must, therefore, be considerable
modification in this lamp before it can be rendered avail-
able fur ordinary mining purposes, which we may readily
expect, from the acknowledged talent of its inventor.
Great improvements were introduced in the ventila-
tion of collieries ire many districts, when the course of
air was quickened by means of a furnace established
near the bottom of the upcast abaft, or through that
which the foul air passes outwards,'-and more' partibu:
larly when, in the north of England, instead of' per.
mitting the air introduced by the downcast shaft to pars
slowly and imperfectly along a course i,f twenty or thirty
nsii.es of passages, it was split or divided into separate
courses, from two to six miles in length. Those, how-
ever, who may possess an extended acquaintance with
our collieries in different parts of the ceuntry cannot but
be aware, that as is whale their general ventilation is very
impertZ ct, good as it may be in some collieries, particu-
larly in certain dibtrivc.s.
Wren it IS constaerect rust coals are warners In the
United Kingdom under every variety of condition—from
levels driven into mountain sides to pits sunk to great
depths through masses of superincumbent rocks—in
beds ranging from a vertical to a horizontal position,
arid even contorted and b nt—sometimes traversed by
faults, at others free from them—the beds near the sur-
, face in one place, and rangieg beneath mountains in
another—in fact, under a great variety of geological con-
ditions, it is not difficult to see that many plans which
have been suggested for the working of collieries, good WES TERN CIRCUIT.— Winchester, July 13.
as they may be for some localities, would be inapplicable The commission was opened in this city on Seturdik
generally, and would indeed fail, except under the con- by Mr. Justice Erie and Mr. B :ton Platt, the judges apdition fitted for them.
pointed for this circuit. In the cause list there are
So various are the conditions under which collieries eleven cases, but although they are calculated to occupy
,
are or can be worked in the United Kingdom, that we much time, and are of great consequence to the parties,
would suggest for consideration, if legislative measures the interest as regards the public will, it is undsrstood
should be deemed advisable, and an extension of the be but trifling. There are some serious cases in the
principle which regulates the employment of women calendar, which, considering that the sas,ions were held
and children insour wines, and the labour in our fat- only last week, is heavy, there being upwards of thirty
tories, be thought good, that effective discretionary prisoners for trial. At the present moment it is strongly
,
powers should be vested in properly-qualified persons,
rumoured tea' Lieutenant Hawkey will surrender and
appointed iiieeeeenient districts, so that the needful ad- every person hints !hut he knows where he is, but those
instm'nts to conditions may be effected, and no single whose duty it is to apprehend every psrson charged
system be attempted inapplicable to our collieries as a with such an offence, possess such happy ignorance that
whole,
it is permitted to the accused to say at what time he
Any general system of legislation for conditiOtis so will quietly walk into the prisoners' dock. How far this
different could only he productive of failure or of inju- can be considered as the proper administration of justice
rions consequences, both to owners and workers ; but a
it is for wiser heads to say ; but the uninitiated are ex_
local examination amid inquiry; with power to adjust to pressing
-
strung doubts in the matter. If a law is :lb.
special conditions would, we apprehend, remove the diffi- surd, let it be carried out in all its absurdity, and then a
cullies which !he Legislature has felt in dealing with remedy•will be found ; but if it is evaded by a side-
interests so important.
wind, it will disgrace the statute-book by remaining the
Jealous as the coal-owners should properly be of any law of the land. Two common people fight with their
undue intermeddling with their collieries, it may never- fists—one is killed—it is called a brutal fight, and the
theless be true that a judicious system of sup, rintend- aggressor .is punished for manslaughter. Ignorant
ence in a district, by which the proper ventilation of people cannot understand the distinction between such a
collieries, efficioa.knewledge on the part of subordinate , fight and a duel. Does not the result point it out ?
agents, and proper punishment for foolhardiness or care- I On Saturday their Lordships attended divine service
lessness on the part of the colliers may be secured, i in the Catht dral, and this morning, at ten ','clock, mr,
would be a great advantage to them individually and Justice Erie took his seat in the Nisi Prins Court, and
collectively, and ba the saving not only of lives, of es, at eleven o'clock Mr. Baron Platt came into the Crown
much capital, securing them, in the ease of accidents,
from many an unjust :methadon fur neglect. The usual preliminary buie
• s less having been gone
On the other hard, careful but not overmeddrng , through.
: Court.
supervision would aff .rd c‘'nfiiience to the collier. Pi o- • Mr. Baron PLATT delivered his charge to the grand
per persons being app.•inteil at, superintend. nt- (and, if jun'• in the course of which he stated Via', if any gin.
improper, their deficieacies would soon become appare
feel thatnt , tlensen who i!ad been semmoned on the grand jury, and
e
and their removal the einiseqee,.ce), he would who were in Coen. had not answfr dto their names,
he has the aslvantasse of the eels; tug knowa.d.e 4,f th he should have decidedly felt it hi, duty to have fined
day brought t .near upon the particular cenclitiolis under them, because by the Constitution of the country every
witt.h the co Very in which he lanours ii worne,. In man charercd with a crime had a right to hay,• the ver-
some di ericts the working collier is far better it& ruled diet of twenty-tisur men pronounced against him, and if
upon the genera prieciple.s which ,ahotild receive att-n. he bad,not a majority of twelve grand juryteen against
11011 than way be coulgumly supposed, :Labe wou.tl loci him, be had hot. justice dose Wu. (1110 QbAlYatiOn

FATAL DUEL A f BAYONNE.

A sanguinary and fatal duel has taken place at
Bayonne between two officers of the 60th Regiment,
quartered there. The ore who MI received three
wounds, two of which were in the breast. This unfortu-
nate evmA is, perhaps, without example in the aatials of
duelling, as the laws of honour prescribe to seconds the
immediate cessation of the combat the moment blood
has been drawn by either of the principals. But, on
the present occasion the two sec ,nl4, subalterns in the
above-mentioned corps, and very young men, allowed
themselves to be intiraWated by the deceased, who, to
great pis) sical strength, joined considerable proficiency
in the use of the sabre. A very trivial dispute was the
cause of the encounter, and on separating the pre-
vious day, the effiver who full assured his adversary that
he would kill him on the morrow, advising him at the
same time to make his will, or not fi.dit him. The first
wound he received was on the right hand, which excited
him to such a pitch of frenzy, that on the seconds at-
tempting to but an end to the strife, he swore he would
'run the first m-in through, who interposed between him
and hi 4 foe, and consequently th siconds permitted
these two officers to fight to the death, contrary to all
the laws of humanity and honour. What is worse, it
appears that this unfortunate was abandoned at a mo-
ment when prompt succour might have stopped the
.hemorrhage of his wounds, and perhaps saved his life.
General Harispe, commanding the tuilitery division of
the Basses Pyrenees, justly indignant at the conduct of
the two seconds, sent them under arrest to the citadel,
where they will remain in confinement fur two months
until the decision of the Mini.ter of War as to their
future punishment is known. It will probably be as
severe as they merit. The surviving principal is to be
tried by a Court-martial, and will probably escape better
;ban the above-mentioned individuals.

It is to be remarked that the clergy of Bayonne re-
fused the sacred offices of the Church to the fallen cow-
i)atant, who, however, was attended to the grave by all
the officers of the garrison of Bayonne.