The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-06 00:00:00

T FIE 7 7 SUN,OII,OOON,2FRIDAY !EVENING' APRIVI/6, 1860.!

THE BURRADON COLLIERY BXPLO-

SIO T

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, APRIL 4.
The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the 76
pitmen and pit lads killed in Burradon Pit on the
2cl of March by an explosion of gas, was resumed
this morning at Burradon, ample time having been
given by a lengthened adjournment for a careful
and scientific examination of the mine. The
chapel where the inquest was held was crowded,
and the proceedings were of an exceedingly exciting
and singular character. Mr. Sergeant Ballantine
should have been down to examine the witnesses
on behalf of the relatives of the deceased persons,
but he was unable to be present, being detained
in town. Mr. Elliott, an eminent viewer, belong-
ing to the county of Durham, who had examined
the pit, and who was to have been a witness, had
also been called away, having had to proceed to
Paris to consult with the French Government upon
some matter of business; and Mr. Phillipson, who
had heretofore conducted the inquiry on behalf of
the owner of the pit, refused to call any more wit-
nesses that day. The responsibility of producing
evidence was thus thrown upon Mr. Blackwell, bar-
rister, who appeared for the relatives of the deceased
in the absence of Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, and as
he was not ready with his witnesses the coroner
threatened to commence to charge the jury, where-
upon Mr. Blackwell said he would go into the
enemy's camp, and examine Mr. Thomas E. Foster,
the well-known north country coal viewer, a gentle-
man of great experience in the coal trade. Excep-
tion was taken to the remark made by Mr. Black-
well, and a scene followed. Mr. Foster said that he
belonged to no party, and that he was only anxious
to elicit the truth, so as to prevent accidents in
future. Mr. Foster was then examined at lengthby
Mr. Blackwell; but when Mr. Harle, who repre-
sented the Government inspector, who was present,
got up to put some questions, Mr. Phillipson de-
murred to Mr. Harle appearing • the Coroner also
objected, on the ground that the Government In-
spector should examine the witnesses himself. Mr.
Harle then said he would ask for an adjournment
until he had consulted with the Home Secretary as
to the course of proceedings.
Mr. Harle was at last allowed to go on, but had
not proceeded far before Mr, Phillipson interfered,
when an extraordinary scene arose. Mr. Harle
ordered Mr. Phillipson to sit down, and called upon
the coroner to put him out. The Coroner, however,
turned his wrath upon Mr. J. B. Langley, a gentle-
man who has taken an active part during the in-
quiry, and whom he espied whispering to Mr.
Harle, whom he threatened to put out. The pit-
men in the body of the chapel had by this time be-
come very excited, and commenced to hiss with
great vehemence. The coroner threatened them
with expulsion, and there was every prospect of a
riot if he carried his threat into execution • but he
fortunately did not attempt to do so, and Mr. Harle
proceeded with the examination uninterrupted.
Mr. Thomas Emmerson Foster, viewer, said that
he had been down the pit several times since the
explosion. The first time he was down was on the
9th of March, but the pit was not then in a proper
state to make an examination. The stoppings and
other things were so deranged that a proper exa-
mination could not be made. The next time he was
down was on the 11th of March. The pit was not then
in a proper state. The ventilation was not at all re-
stored. The next day he was down was on the 21st
of March. The pit was then in a much better state,
but still the airways and stoppings were not pro-
perly restored. The last time he was down was last
night. On the 21st of March he came to a conclu-
sion, according to his view, as to the occasion of the
accident. His view was that the first explosion oc-
curred in Maddox's Board. That explosion was
' not a very serious one. /t was occasioned by the
gas accumulating between the east middle rolley-
way and Maddox Board, to the north. The cause
of the accumulation was a fall of stone immediately
behind Maddox Board in the single part of the
north return. The gas came from the solid coal.
His view was this, that up to a certain time before
the explosion there was a sufficient ventilation
from the middle east rolleyway to Maddox Board,
to keep the workings at those two points clear from
gas. At the time when there was a slight explosion
on Williams's candle the fall had partially taken
place. Between that time, and shortly before the
explosion occurred, the fall of stones had so in-
creased that it had almost if mot entirely stopped
the airway in the return. Hence the first explosion
of gas between the east rolleyway and Maddox
Board. The reason for his"coming to a conclusion
that the first explosion had not been a serious one
was this, that he found that there were 24 people
killed at the top of the inclined bank under a fall
of coal ; and he was clearly of opinion that they
had arrived at that point before the second explo-
sion took place. He found William Urwin at that
point, and he, when he was at work, wrought at the
fourth board from the middle east, towards Mad-
dox's Board. Thomas Beadlen wrought in the board
from the middle east towards Maddox's, and his
body was found among the 24 lying under the fall.
There were several more from the same district, and
also from the middle broken. He came to the conclu-
sion that the first explosion was not a severe one
from the men having got to that point ; and so far
from where the,first explosion occurred. He thought
the men had arrived at that point when Alder-
son, the back overman, came up the inclined plane.
After hearing the explosion, his opinion was that
he induced the men to remain there until he
went to see what really was the matter.
The consequence was that Alderson had not
got
ee
middle broken, which had been
drisst-n on lOO yards south from the top of the inclined
plane before the second explosion took place. These
24 people that he had already alluded to were killed
by the second explosion drawing the timber, and
the roof came down upon them. That was the con-
clusion that he had come to with regard to the first
explosion. With regard to the second explosion,
he was of opinion that the first explosion took a
south-westerly course from Maddox's Board, blow-
ing out stoppingsan
do bothnwhi
ch sidessepar
separated
thed th
the
straight
whole
coalup
that the first explosion disturbed
saeoanmcilleeti.ll°gelaiebsYrtooilk'a trn3i,l;
the middle east rolleyway, where, meet-
ing some men from the south making their way out,
the gas fired at their candles. He was of opinion
that the men in the far south-east quarter had come
out after the second explosion, and had got within a
few yards of the air-crossing between the top of the
first incline and the middle east rolleyway, when all
of them had been killed by the after damp. If they
had got nine yards further they would have been
safe. He thought that he was corroborated as to
the first explosion not having been a serious one by
the fact that a number of the men in the middle
broken continued at their work and were lost,
whereas those who left the middle broken after the
first explosion were saved.
Mr. Foster was cross-examined at considerable
length by Mr. Black well upon his evidence in chief.
He gave various reasons for coming to the conclu-
sion that the first explosion had been occasioned by
a fall of stone in the return, which, deranging the
ventilation in that part of the pit, had produced the
second and destructive explosion of gas. He said
that as soon as the fall of stone was removed Mad-
dox's board became clear and the gas all passed
away.
By Mr. Harle—Has been a viewer 37 years. Had
examined the Burradon Pit several years ago. It
was at that time the property of the Messrs. Carr.
Examined the pit at that time for a professional
object, on a financial question. From that time

until his recent visit on the 9th of March he had
not visited the pit. If he had been a viewer in that
colliery he would have conducted the ventilation
in the same way as it existed on the 2d of March,
the day of the explosion. If to-day they could place
the pit at Burradon in the position in which it was
on the 2d of March at S o'clock, when Kerkley left,
he should be quite satisfied. If the pit was .in as
gocd a state as on the 2d of March, he could not
suggest, nor was there any necessity for, any im-
provement. No human power could have prevented
the fall of stone. Such accidents happened without
any notice. He thought Kerklex acted prudently
in setting on the " putters" wn lamps, because
they had to go into the whole workings and the
pillar workings, and they might have gone into
the pillar workings with the naked light. If six
men complained of the ventilation in January or
February of the present year he could give no rea-
son for the complaint. Witness went down the pit
on the 4th of March as a neighbour. His services
had been volunteered. He had not been asked by
the under viewer or the men to go down. Kerkley
did not give his theory as to the fall in the north
return when he went over the place on March 4th.
He had not formed an opinion on the 4th of March
as to the fall, not having seen it. his opinion was
that the explosioN did not occur from the gas at
the north goof. If it had occurred there, there
would have been one peat explosion, and not two.
He considered the pit quite safe if gas came within
three or four pillars of Maddox's Board from the
great goat, where candles were used, provided a
current of air passed along the face of the workings
and down the north return behind Maddox's
Board. This being the case he should have trusted
iio entirelynld ntoothave
the aire
aaliel
II: yeod uponuglltw
contingencycandles. l
the i e
course.ne,iflf one liad
of a fall of stone in the single return course.
Had no suggestion to offer as to a fall in a return
kept open. Unfortunately there f a
lhadlen beenthe
othertwomight
returns
haveinstead
been
e eonf
one, y
there was only one re-
turn. They were not in a position for two. If he
saw gas upon
and
6 owooou would (rave
o f
the candle so that the use of it had
become dangerous he would have discontinued it,
n
atmospheric
dostgelraime
airp p
. therelfass
passing etrse
1\ , oaodo
or .

do.xls.lloard it would be safe. If the air was flying
three feet per second the place would be perfectly
safe. If the air was slack in Maddox's Board the
gas might come from the goaf to where the men
were working. if there was no air at all in the
board the gas would not explode. If there were
four volumes of air to one of gas it would not ex-
plode. If you go on until there are eight portions
of air to one of gas that would be the most explo-
sive mixture. Then if you go on until there are 14
volumes of air and one of gas, then the gas will not
explode.
Mr. Foster having been examined at great
length by Mr. Harle the Court adjourned at four
o'clock until Thursday.

PR.ESF,RVATIOY OF LIES FROM
. SHIPIVRECK.

A meeting of the Royal National Lifeboat Insti-
tution was held yesterday at its house, John-street,
Adelphi, T. Baring, Esq., in the chair. There were
also present, amongst others, Lord H, Cholmondeley,
Sir T. Herbert, K.C.13., Sir E. G. L. Perrott, Bart.,
Admiral Cator, A. Boetefeur, Esq., W. H. Harton,
Esq., and Capt. Ward, R.N., inspector of lifeboats
to the institution.

The Secretary having read the minutes of the
previous meetincr,
A reward of .£l3 was voted to the crew of the
institution's ,lifeboat stationed at Palling, on the
Norfolk coast, for putting off in the night and re-
scuing the crew of seven men from the brig Eliisa,
of North Shields, which in a heavy sea had missed
stays, and become totally wrecked off Palling, on
the 16th ult.

A reward of £6 10s. was also granted to the
crew of the Winterton lifeboat, on the same coast,
belonging to the society, for going off in her and
saving the crew of eight men from the brig George
and James of London, which during a fearful gale
had stranded off Winterton.
The Cullercoats lifeboat, belonging to the insti
tution, had also recently been instrumental in as-
sisting to bring safely to shore a fishing coble and
her crew of three men. The lifeboat's crew had
declined to make any claim for helping their com-
rades in distress.

A reward of £l7 was voted to the crew of the
Portmadoc lifeboat, belonging to the National Life-
boat Institution, which had been instrumental on
Sunday morning last in saving 15 persons, in a most
exhausted state, from the barque Oberon, of Liver-
pool, which, during a heavy gale of wind, went on
the Sarn Badrig Rocks, in Cardigan Bay.
A reward of £lB was likewise voted to th© crew
of the Yarmouth lifeboat, which belongs to this in-
stitution, for putting off in her and rescuing, in
conjunction with a steam tug, the crew of six men
from the brig Zephyr, of Middlesborough, which
was totally wrecked a few weeks ago during an
awful gale of wind on the Scroby Sand.
It will thus be seen that some of the lifeboats of
the National Lifeboat Institution have, within the
past few weeks been the means, under God, of
snatching 39 of our fellow-creatures from a watery
grave, and that many households have again been
made to rejoice by the valuable services of the life-
boat. The saved crews themselves, some of whom
had navigated the world, and braved every possible
danger, are not insensible of the important services
which the lifeboat renders them in the hour of
distress, for their expressions of thankfulness for
such services are of the most feeling character.
Nevertheless, the Wreck Chart of the British
Isles tells us that 1,416 wrecks took place last
year in our seas and on our shores, and that 1,646
persons perished from them. It is, therefore, evi-
dent that much still remains to be done in main-
taining and extending the lifeboat system of the
society, which reflects an honour on the philan-
thiopy of the age in which we live, and which ex-
cites the admiration of all the maritime nations of
the world.
Payments were also made to the crews of the
lifeboats of the institution stationed at Teignmouth,
Padstow, and Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland,
for putting off to vessels in distress, and for as-
sembling, so as to be ready to go off, if their ser-
vices should have been required.
A reward of £9 was voted to the crews of two
open boats for putting off and saving, at great risk
of life, the crew of four men from the schooner Hope,
of Gloucester, which, during a heavy gale of wind
and snow storms, was wrecked, a short time since,
on the coast.
The silver medal of the society was also voted
Captain Ridge, R.N., Inspectimo• Commander of
the Coast Guard, in testimony of °his gallant con-
duct in wading into the surf, on a cold wintry day,
at the imminent risk of his life, and rescuing one
man, who had been capsized from his boat while
attempting to save the crew of the Austrian brig
Tikey, wrecked in Dundram Bay. A benevolent
lady had offered the institution to defray the cost of
an additional lifeboat in this dangerous bay. She
had also promised-to pay the cost of the New Qaay
and the St. Ives, Cornwall, lifeboats, and another,
to be stationed at Buckle, on the north coast of
Scotland.
Sine additional liberal contributions were said to
have been given to the institution by Lloyds, the
Junior United Service Club, and the Royal Thames
Yacht Club.
Communications were read from the Ambassador
at this Court and the Minister of Marine of Den-
mark and Sweden, expressing the appreciation of
their Government of the philanthropic objects of
the British National Lifeboat Institution, and
stating that its useful and practical pamphlet on
the management of boats in a heavy surf had been,
by order of the King, translated into Swedish.
It was said that this little book had been trans-
lated into French, Spanish, and Swedish, and that
it was not improbable it would be likely to be ren-
dered into the languages of all maritime countries
in the world, and thus the National Lifeboat Insti-
tution may be the means of saving life in many parts
of the globe.

An excellent photograph of a lifeboat of the insti-
tution, supposed to be proceeding off to a wreck
near to Scarborough, was exhibited at the meet-
ing. Both the original picture and photograph
were the work of Mr. L. Walters,- of Bootle, near
Liverpool, and reflected high credit on his artistic
skill.

It was reported that the Admiralty were taking
some steps to provide her Majesty's ships with life-
boats. It is remarkable that hitherto our men-of-
war have been unfurnished with lifeboatq. The
National Lifeboat Institution, through its little
quarterly publication, had for years past advocated
their adoption, as well as the supplying of our in-
trepid coast guard men with lifeboats.
It is a lamentable fact that in our mercantile
navy such a thing as a really useful ship's lifeboat
(excepting White's) is hardly ever to be seen. The
natural consequence is that in both services valu-
able lives, like those of Capt. Foote, N.N., anti Capt.
Harrison, of the Great Eastern, are too frequently
lest when communication is needed, in stormy
weather, with the shore.

An interesting report was read by Capt. WARD,
R.N., inspector of lifeboats to the institution, of his
recent tour of inspection of the 19 lifeboats which
the society has on the Irish coast. These visits of a
thoroughly practical officer to lifeboat stations are
of great service in securing the permanent efficiency
of the establishments. It is his custom to take the
lifeboats out to sea himself, however stormy the
weather may be, and thus practically explain to
their hardy crews their qualities, and how they are
to act in cases of emergency.
The institution decided on taking into connexion
with it the Margate lifeboat, and to make the station
thoroughly efficient. The boat was presented some
time ago to the town by Miss Burdett Coutts;
A small legacy was announced to the institution
from the late Mrs. Anna Braithwaite, of Kendall.
Capt. N. de St. Croix having been elected a mem-
ber of the committee of management, and payments
amounting to £236 having been made on various
lifeboat establishments, the proceedings closed.

• Two FEMALES DROWNED IN TIIE AVON.—On
Tuesday afternoon, a party consisting of three males and
three females left Bristol in a boat, and proceeded up the
Avon, intending to spend a pleasant evening in the country.
About six o'clock the boat capsized, all being precipitated
into the water, except one man ; and then commenced the
desperate struggle for life. Four of the party were speedily
rescued, and the bodies of two unfortunate females, Jones
and Westerlite, who resided in Alfred-street, were after-
wards recovered, but not until life was quite extinct.

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