The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-11 00:00:00

F.RIGHTFUL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.

LOSS OF TWENTY-FIVE LIVES.
(From the Cambrian.)

The painful and melancholy duty devolves on us
this week again to record another of those frightful
and heartrending colliery accidents which have
been of late years of frequent occurrence in the
mining districts of South Wales, particularly in
Glamorganshire. The scene of the present catas-
trophe, which has resulted in the death, by drown-
ing, of no less than 25 men and boys and several
valuable horses, was the Main Colliery, situate near
Bryncoch, a short distance from Duffryn House,
and about two miles from the town of Neath.

The colliery is the property of Messrs. Fox, Red-
'wood, and Co., under whose enterprising auspices
it was re-opened about two years and a half ago,
and has since then been carried on by them with
much vigour and, until this untoward inundation,
with every promise of ultimate success.
The accident took place on Wednesday last. In
the morning, the men and boys, to the number of
80, descended the pit as usual, in the vigour of
youth and manhood; with light hearts and that
buoyancy of spirits peculiar to the Welsh colliers,
little dreaming of the proximity of that destructive
element which was so soon to engulph them. Hav-
ing descended, the colliers repaired to their various
occupations—some to the headings, some to the
waggons, whilst others took their turns as explorers
of drifts. The object of the explorers of drifts was
to obtain an additional pit as an upcast shaft.
This, understand, was done at the suggestion of the
Gevernment inspector, who objected to the men
having only one way of ingress and egress to the
colliery, as they were exposed to the smoke and
heat passing through the winding shaft. Things
went on smoothly until about eleven o'clock. At this
time, there were what is called two turns of borers,
three men in each turn. Whilst the borers were en-
gaged in driving in a southerly direction, they unfor-
tunately struck into the workings of an old colliery,
called the Fire Engine Pit. Although the proxi-
mity of these old workings was well known, still
there was not the slightest apprehension felt of any
danger arising therefrom, inasmuch as they had
been, it was supposed, thoroughly drained previous
to the re-opening of the Main Colliery. Indeed, so
confident were the men, we are told, that they
frequently ridiculed the idea of the old workings
being a source of danger to them after the precau-
tions which had been taken whilst they were being
drained, at the time already referred to. The old
workings, however, proved treacherous. In the
heading worked by Thomas Barker and Philip
Thomas the side bore hole came in contact with
them, and the water began to flow apace. The men
lost no time in attempting to plug the hole, but
their efforts soon proved fruitless. The water gained
on them with with a rapidity that completely
hurled them back by its volume and pressure. See-
ing the danger that now threatened them, the
alarm was given, and there was a general rush to
the mouth of the shaft, the only way of escape.
The usual danger signals having been exchanged
with those at the mouth of the pit, the engine was
brought into requisition, and not a moment lost in
bringing up the men. Expeditious as they were,
however, the flow of water was too impetuous for
them, for in a very short time it was found that
there was a perfect torrent pouring into the work-
ings and rapidly extending itself even to the mouth
of the shaft. Knowing that the water was thus
rapidly overwhelming everything at the only place
of escape, the anxiety of those above may be better
imagined than described. Tram after tram was
sent down with the greatest possible speed, and in
a short time 55 men and boys, and two horses, were
rescued. The number left in the pit is supposed to
be about 25, all of whom, it is feared, must have
perished.
As soon as the news of the disaster extended, the
friends and relatives of the colliers repaired to the
spot. The scene that ensued was of the most heart-
rending description. Parents, brothers, sisters,
and friends, assembled in groups, mingled their
lamentations, rent the air with their cries, and
shed "the unavailing tear." In the midst of all
this, everything was done that art and practical
experience could suggest, by Mr. Graham, the
superintendent of the cutting, and those under him,
to drain the water. As soon as it was found that
no more men could be saved, two powerful engines
were set to pump, and the trams were converted
into water-tubs. These were sent up and down by
the engines with marvellous speed, and brought up
as many as 432 gallons per minute. Considering
that the cutting is 95 fathoms in depth, this was
deemed very good work. In addition to this,
another powerful engine was set in motion, which
pumped out 900 gallons per minute. By incessant
working, it was found that in 12 hours the water
was lessened about five feet. Yesterday, however,
we regret to find that the quantity underwent but
little diminution. As a proof of the rapid manner
in which the pit got overflowed, we may mention
that, in two hours after the discovery of the acci-
dent, the water flooded the shaft to the height of
63 feet. By four o'clock it had reached 80 feet.
Some of the men and boys saved had a;ery
narrow escape. One boy saved himself by clinging
to a horses' tail. One horse having reached
the shaft in time, instinctively jumped in as

one of the tubs reached the bottom. Another
horse did the same and by clinging to his tail
the lad saved his life. A man named William
Taylor succeeded in saving three boys whilst
they were plunging about in the bottom of the
shaft. Another man was clutched whilst he was
about to sink from sheer exhaustion. Poor Dor-
man, the foreman, who was in the pit when the
water broke in, fell a victim whilst laudably en-
deavouring to warn and save others. He had, it
appears, ample time to escape, but in his anxiety to
aid his men, he himself found a watery pillow. lie
was a most valuable servant, and his loss is much
felt. He has left behind him a wife and seven
children.

The Government Inspector of Colleries arrived at
the pit yesterday morning, and made a minute
inspection. We understand that he fully approved
of the temporary expedients resorted to to drain off
the water. Until this is done, nothing more can be
effected towards extricating the bodies that are now
submerged in the pit. In reference to the particu-
lar spot where the borers were engaged, we were
informed that every precaution was used as far as
human foresight could suggest. As soon as the
water is pumped out a searching investigation, no
doubt, will take place. Until then, it only remains
for us to add that the accident has, as might be
expected, caused a profound sensation, has evoked
a feeling of deep sympathy for those poor families
who have lost their all thereby, and has shed a
gloom over the whole district which will not soon
be dispelled.