The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-03 00:00:00

FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT

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BRISTOL, SEPT. 2.—A brief announcement appears
in The Sun of this day of a fatal colliery accident
which occurred yesterday afternoon at one of the
Kingswood collieries, situated about four miles from
this city. From inquiries on the spot, and at the
Bristol Infirmary, where several of the sufferers were
removed, the following details of this calamitous
occurrence have been gathered.
It appears that the accident happened at the Deep
Pit Colliery, belonging to Messrs. Brain and Co.,
which is situated about half a mile from the Starveall
Pit, belonging to the same firm, where it will be
remembered some months since a dreadful boiler ex-
plosion took place, which resulted in the loss of seve-
ral lives. The routine business of the colliery pro-
ceeded as usual quite safe yesterday till about half-
past two or a quarter to three o'clock in the afternoon,
at which time " a turn" of nine men were being
hauled up the main shaft. The names of the men
were—Bryant, Stone (married), Joseph Parker,
Stephen Newman, John Parker, George English, John
Bright, William Wiltshire, and Nathaniel Dix. They
were drawn up in safety as far as " the stage," their
accustomed landing place, at the mouth of the shaft,
when just at that critical period, it is stated
by the engineer Stone, the bolt of the reversing handle
of the engine broke short off. He was instantly
aware of the perilous nature of the consequences
which were likely to ensue, and he caught hold of the
" eccentric rods," and endeavoured to lift them. He
also turned off the steam. Finding he could not lift
the eccentric rods, he called out to a man (George
King) to come and help him, but before they could
be lifted the accident happened, the cart with the poor
men being drawn right up over the "shiver wheel,"
and then dashed to the ground, a depth of 25ft., the
iron cart crushing them in the fall. The men, as soon
as they were passing the stage, saw their danger, and
two of them, Bryant and Stone, jumped out, and for-
tunately escaped uninjured. Another poor man,
Stephen Newman, also jumped out, but must have
miscalculated his distance, for he fell short and was
precipitated right down the main shaft, a depth of 147
fathoms. Of course he was instantly dashed to pieces ;
his body was discovered a little after four o'clock,
dreadfully disfigured, so as to be scarcely recognizable.
The other poor fellows were also much crushed by
the heavy iron cart which fell with them, and which
weighs about 3f cwt. The " cart," or iron bucket,
on looking at it this morning, was covered with
blood. They were immediately placed in carts,
in as easy a position as possible, and conveyed to
the Bristol Infirmary. The two worst cases are
those of Nathaniel Dix and George English. Dix
was found to have sustained a compound comminuted
fracture of both bones of the right leg, fracture of the
right thigh, extensive lacerated wounds of the left leg,
contusion of the scalp and other parts of the body.
His leg was amputated last night by Mr. Morgan,
one of the surgeons of the infirmary. English sus-
tained a fracture of the skull, and an extensive wound
of the cheek, extending right across through the lip,
also severe contusions and injuries. The recovery of
these poor men is extremely doubtful. The injuries
of the remainder of the men who were precipitated to
the ground with the cart consist chiefly of very severe
contusions.
On an examination of the broken bolt of the re-
versing handle of the engine, the immediate cause of
the accident, there does not appear to be any flaw iu
it. The engine, too, was, generally speaking, in good
order. The broken bolt had been placed in the hands
of Samuel Osborne, the blacksmith of the pit, prior to
the investigation into the circumstances which must
take place. Notice of the fatal accident had been
forwarded to the coroner, Mr. W. Joyner Ellis, and
after he has given the notice required by Act 0
Parliament to the Secretary of State, an inquest wil,
be held.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BRISTOL.
At about two o'clock on Tuesday morning a most
alarming fire was discovered to have broken out in Red-
cross-street, St. Paul's, Bristol, one of the most densely
populated portions of the city, and which of course al-
most instantaneously spread terror and alarm through-
out the neighbourhood; and from the courts and houses
were to be seen the male and female inhabitants rushing
forth in almost a state of nudity. Upon inquiry it was
ascertained that the fire was raging in the extensive
workshops of Messrs. Laverton and Co., cabinet-makerts
and general furnishers, and which are completely sur-
rounded by dwelling houses. The alarm having been
given, the police engine, and. the engines belonging to
the various insurance companies, were speedily upon the
spot; but from the highly inflammable nature of the
materials and stock. and the premises being very old; all
endeavours to arrest the progress of the devouring ele•
ment were useless, and by 3 o'clock the whole were in
one vast sheet of flame, illuminating the horizon for miles,
and distinctly visible from all the heights surrounding
the city. The whole of the premises and valuable stock,
were totally destroyed. After the most searching in-
quiries, the cause of the fire remains enveloped in mys-
tery, inasmuch as there had been no fire in the polishing
shop, where it originated, for more than a week; nor
had there been any fire whatever on the premises during
the whole of the afternoon of yesterday. The foreman
of the works, Mr. Collins, states that ho examined the
premises on Monday evening, and found them all sate.
Whatever the cause, however, the consequences have
been lamentable, as the whole of Messrs. Laver!ou's
valuable stock, to the amount of upwards of 2,0001., to-
gether with all the tools belonging to the eigl- teen work.
men employed, valued at nearly 2001,, were burned. The
premises, which are valued at about 8001., have been
entirely destroyed. We understand that the premist a
are fully insured in the Alliance office; but the workmen
are totally uninsured, and the Messrs. Laverton to only
5001. in the Sun office.

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY, -The pro-
prietors at their next meeting are to consider the question of
making a contract with the Bangor and Carnarvon Railway-,
now in progress of construction, for the use of the former
railway.