The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-08 00:00:00

THE BISCA COLLIERY ACCIDENT.

Mr. Alexander Bassett, mining engineer to Lord
Tredegar, gives the foilowing account of the acci-
dent :—The number that descended the pit on
the morning of the accident was 200, including men
and boys ; out of this number 64 have been taken
out alive ; up to this morning (6th December) 84
bodies have been recovered, leaving 52 now in the
colliery, showing the total loss to be 136 ; 50 were
married, 50 single, and 36 youths under 17 years of
age. The Black Vein Pit at Risca is the property
of the Risca Coal Company, and is held by them
under an old lease from Lord Tredegar. The finest
description of steam coal is produced from this
colliery, which has for many years been used by
the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
The underground arrangements are under the
superintendence of Mr. Charles Harrison, who is
considered (and most justly so) one of the most
careful and experienced colliery viewers in this
district'.

The Black Vein pit was on the Saturday morning
examined by Mr. Harrison, who, after satisfying
himself that the mine was in a perfectly safe con-
dition, ascended (leaving his eldest son in the work-
ings, who has been severely burnt, and narrowly
escaped with his life), and proceeded to inspect
another pit belonging to the same company when
the fearful explosion occurred.
The explosion was of so terrific a character that
a considerable extent of the main roads and air
courses were entirely destroyed, thereby rendering
it most difficult and dangerous to explore the
workings and extricate the unfortunate sufferers,
as the ventilation of the colliery for the time was
totally suspended. In this painful work Mr. Har-
rison received the valuable assistance of Mr. Wm.
Bevan, of Tredegar Iron Works, Mr. Brown, of
Machen, Mr. Wales, of Abersychan, Mr. Palmer,
of Radstock, Mr. Blayden, and other experienced
colliery viewers, who have since the accident been
by turns, day and night, engaged in superintend-
ing the various gangs of colliers organised to clear
the headings, restore the ventilation, and recover
the dead. The pit is now under the management
of Mr. L. Brough, her Majesty's Government
Inspector of Mines, whose time since his arrival at
Risen has been almost entirely occupied in the col-
liery, superintending and directing operations, and
whose practical knowledge of colliery management
and professional skill is truly invaluable in such
cases ; but the shattered conditions of the roads
and airways must of necessity greatly retard the
painful and difficult task allotted to him. As
regards the cause of the accident it is at present
difficult, and certainly unwise, to hazard an opinion,
as it will be thoroughly investigated at the inquest,
which will take place on the 18th of December;
but it may not be out of place here to remark that
frequently these fearful calamities arise from the
imprudence and recklessness manifested by the
colliers in removing the tops of their safety lamps,
to enable them either to cut the coal with greater
facility or to light their pipes. The lamps are deli-
vered to them locked previous to their descending,
and the men are liable to a penalty, not only for
opening them, but even for having private keys in
their possession. Very many cases have recently
been brought before the magistrates, but the exceed-
ingly small fines imposed by them have not had the
slightest effect in arresting this crying evil. In my
opinion, nothing but personal punishment (I mean
imprisonment with hard labour) will put an end to
such reckless proceedings, as, in the event of a fine
being imposed. the amount is generally subscribed
by the workmen.
It was only on the Saturday fortnight previous
to the accident at this colliery that the agent, Mr.
Harrison, having detected a man in the colliery
with a private lamp key in his possession, con-
trary to the rules and regulations of the colliery,
brought the case before the magistrates, and the
fine imposed by them was 10s. with costs, and in
default of payment 14 days' imprisonment. Mr.
Harrison, on the same occasion, found on several of
the men nails, which no doubt were for opening the
lamps, though no direct proof could be given of their
having been so used.
While the cause of the explosion is yet involved
in so much mystery, and its results so imperfectly
ascertained, it would be premature to indulge in
any speculation on this point ; nevertheless it would
be worse than folly to hide from the public the indi-
cations that have already made themselves apparent
as to the approximate cause of the disaster—viz.,
the inveterate habit colliers have of smoking at their