The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-03 00:00:00

8, 1849

fresh air was then travelling; the air was not so foul
as to ignite at the lamp. Foul air may collect in a
waste, and men working in other parts of the pit may
be unaware of it. When a fall takes place, and any
quantity of gas escapes, it is generally called a blower ;
has seen gas come off at other collieries where there
was no fall at all. Cannot say when the blows have
come off that any previous indication was given. Re-
collects one coming off at Waldridge Fell pit, and no
previous indication was given when the man left who
was at work at the place. Has not been through
every part of the pit where persons were killed since
the accident. Has only been through a small part of
the pit, as far as the Meadows fiat and Brockley
Whinns flat. It is possible the accident may have
occurred in some part of the pit where he has not
been since. In the part he has been, has seen no in-
dications of the accident having arisen there. Thinks
the explosion has taken place in parts where he has
not been. Only speaks as to the state of the ventila-
tion where he has worked. It is his opinion, when he
left work there was a sufficient current passing to
carry off any gas that might escape. There is a person
appointed to examine the lamps when they go into the
pit to work to see that they are safe, and this has
always been done. The deputy locks the lamp
if he considers it in a safe state. All the lamps he
has seen at the colliery have had locks upon them.
Boys who are plate cleaners have lamps, and boys of
twelve or thirteen years of age, use them when they
are employed as helpers up. It would not be safe for
the boys to have candles. 'Way cleaners carry the
lamp, but helpers up suspend the lamp on a prop.
Boys under fifteen or sixteen years of age would do
badly without a lamp ; it is necessary for them to
have a light to work with, and a lamp is decidedly
safer than a candle. The way cleaner's work lies
from place to place, and it is necessary for him to
move his lamp with him. Has seen way cleaners
stick up a candle and work away till they were in
the dark, and then shift it, and the sense with the
lamp ; he means the candle in the whole, and the
lamp in the broken—this was in other collieries.
Has never seen way cleaners do their work without
lights. There were no inexperienced men working
in the broken where the accident occurred—that is,
men who were not pitmen previous to the strike.
Has never heard any complaints from the men as to
the boys having lamps. Has heard pitmen since he
strike complain of men, not practical workmen, beim.
employed in the waste. There were men to insp.
them, and therefore no responsibility rested on
the strange men, and, if any danger was
there, these strange men were not aware of
it. These complaints were made in the course of
conversation. These persons did not express themselves
as apprehensive ofdanger from the strange men working
there. If they did apprehend danger, it would be
their duty to complain to the master wasteman. The
murmuring he has heard if there was danger, those
men not being aware of it, they might hazard their
own lives and the lives of all down. Never heard the
master waterman say he had taken three strange men
into the waste. If the hewers had any complaint to
make they should have made it to the first deputy
overseer they met with. If the men generally in the
pit apprehended danger from the waste, it was their
duty to complain to the first officer they saw. Does
not know any man who would not have the courage
to make a report of danger when he thought such was
about to occur. Never knew Mr. Forster refuse to
examine into the complaint of any man upon the col-
liery. If each of the three strangers in the waste had
an old pitman with them, he would not consider any
danger was then possible, and is aware that there are
experienced pitmen working with the three strangers
in the waste. A great responsibility rests on keeping
the waste clear.

By Mr. MaasnALL--Then place where the way
cleaners are is the most unlikely part of the mine for
gas to accumulate in. The way clearers have fre-
quently to nail the tram plates when they are loose,
which would be difficult to do without a light. This
witness, who was upwards of two hours under exami-
nation, gave his testimony in a very satisfactory man-
ner, and though subject to a very annoying cross-
examination, nothing material was elicited from him
bearing on the facts.

Joseph Short lives at Haswell, and is a pitman,
and has been employed eight •ears and a half in this
pit. Was last at work on Saturday morning, and
came up about half-past eight o'clock. Was working
the Brockley Whinns course, and had worked there
six weeks previously. Had worked in the third wide
board at the Brockley Whinns Flat. The state of the
ventilation previously, and up to the time he left,
was as good as it could be. Had not the slightest
apprehension of danger from any cause. Worked
with a candle in the whole part. There had not been
the slightest indication on the candle of inflammable
air. Has been down the pit since, about half-past
four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Has been in the
broken at the Meadows Flat. The distance from
there to the place where candles are used is some
hundred yards. There was no danger in working
that part of the pit where:he was witk candles. Had
not worked in the broken since the strike. Has not
been quite so far as the Meadows Way-end since the
explosion, and cannot say where it commenced. Con-
siders the Davy lamp a perfect safeguard if the indi-
cations it gives ara attended to. Would rather prefer
the Davy lamp to any other. Has carried his lamp
from place to place through a strong current of air,
and has never seen the flame forced through the gauze
by the current. When he was down the pit he saw
no indications where the explosion commenced. Has
always found the ventilation good in those parts of the
pit where he has worked. Has never heard during
the eight and a half years he has worked in the pit
any oimplaints made by others that the ventilation
was bad. It was one of the safest pits he was ever in ;
but has been in other pits where as little gas Was
given off as in Haswell pit.
Mr. Roberts rose to say that he had no wish
to hear any more evidence of the same character.
Mr. Marshall was ready to gain 41 the evidence
they could from the men who worked in the pit,
particularly those who left it a few minutes before the
explosion took place.
Thomas Joplin—Lives at Haswell, and had been
employed two years and a half on the Haswell pit
previous to the explosion, and on Saturday last left
the pit about twenty minutes before the explosion,
Had been working in the Brockley Whinns flat, on
the third board of the rise side, and has worked on
that board for the last month. When he left work he
saw no fault at all with the ventilation, and had no
fear of an explosion. Came out by the Brockley
Whinns flat, and sat five minutes talking to the
keeker, and took his low with him as he went along,
and if there had been any gas it would have been
indiosted by the candle, but he did not see any such
indication. The ventilation was as good as possilfle.
When he came out from the Brockley Whinn's Flat,
he met the current of air at the Meadows Way-end.
The current was strong. Knows the rise side of the
Meadows Flat, and thinks the current of air was
sufficient for that flat. Has never had occasion to
complain of want of ventilation in that part of the
pit where be worked, and has never heard others
complain. Went down to the pit again about four
o'clock on Saturday, and has since been at the
Meadows Flat, and the Brockley Whinn's Flat, and
saw twenty men lying dead there in the straight on
headways of the flat. The bodies were not burnt at
all. Nicholson, who was at the head of the flat, was
burnt on the head. Nicholson was putter in that flat.
Did not see any appearances in that part of the pit
that the explosion had commenced there. Thinks the
explosion had commenced at the Meadows, because
all the stoppings had been blown in by over towards
Brockley IVhinns Flat. If the explosion had taken
place in the Brockley Whinns Flat, the stoppings
would have been blown the contrary way. Knew
these stoppings before, and the purpose for which they
were made, and never thought that they were not suffi-
ciently strong. Knows what a dam is, but never
knew one put in for the purpose of a stopping; dams
are only used to keep the water back. A dam put in
would not be more effectual than a stopping. If
the stoppings had not been blown down the lives
of all the men in the Brockley Minns Flat
would have been saved on the dip side. Could not,
from what he saw, judge where the explosion took
place. Since he has worked in the pit, there has been
no want of attention to the ventilation of the pit,
and, as far as he has seen, every possible attention has
been given to proper ventilation. From what he
has seen, as far as he is able to judge, the explosion
has been the result of accident, and not negligence.
By Mr. Roberts—The stoppings were blown in-
wardly. The stoppings were sufficiently strong to
keep the air right ; that is the only purpose for which
they are made.
By Mr. Marshall—He is a hewer in the colliery,
and had the misfortune to lose his brother by the ex-
plosion.
By the CORONER—In his opinion blame was not
attributable to any person.
William Farish— Lives at Haswell Colliery, and
has worked nearly three years at the collierp Was
at work on Saturday, and left at ten o'clodk in the
morning, and worked in the ninth headway, and two
bodies were found in the same spot where he had
been previously working—these persons followed him
to work in the same jai. This is in the same place
where Williamson was taking down the jud, and at
the very same place where he had been working.
When he left the place the ventilation was
good. The air was usually good, and there was no
deficiency. The pit, he thought, was one of the best
ventilated pits he ever knew, and he is upwards of
fifty-three years old, and has been a pitman about
forty-four years. Has not been at the place since the
explosion. When he left there was no appearance of
gas. In his opinion the late explosion was purely
accidental, and not caused by negligence. As far as
he can judge, nothing could have prevented it.
By Mr. Marshall—Has worked in his life for nine
collieries, and never saw one better ventilated. Lost
a son by the explosion.
By the CORONER—Does not believe the explosion
took place for want of ventilation.

By Mr. Marshall—When they were at work on
Saturday morning, they heard a noise like thunder in
the goaf, and had never before heard such a noise ;
we thought it was above where we were working, and
we left the place, and when it ceased we returned.
The goaf is the place where all the coal has been re-
moved. At that time the Davy lamps did not indi-
cats the presence of gas. The same noise was heard
shortly after again when they went in ; it was not so
loud as the first noise. They told one of the charge-
men of the occurrence, and he said it was caused by
the falling of one of the old boards, and that they sew
themselves. The person to whom they told this was
John Williamson, the deputy, who was killed.
Ralph Errington—flas been employed nearly eight
years in Haswell Colliery, and work with last wit-
ness, and left at ten o'clock on Saturday morning,
when the ventilation was as good as possible. Can
form no opinion as to the cause of the explosion, and
cannot tell whether it was the result of accident or
negligence. Nothing could have been done, in his
opinion, by anticipation, to have prevented the acci-
dent. Where they were working the current of the
air was so strong that they could scarcely keep their
lamps burning.
By Mr. Roberts—lf there had been a current of
air going through the place where the accident oc-
curred it would not have happened. Where he was
working is the place where the accident is generally
supposed to have commenced. The evidence of this
witness was generally a corroboration of that pre-
viously given.
Thomas Scott—Lives at Haswell, and has been a
pitman twenty-three years, eighteen of which he has
been a hewer. Has been seven years and a half at
Haswell pit, and has worked in the waste six years
and a half. Was at work in the waste on Friday
night, and left at two ♦.M. on Saturday. Was not at
work at that time in the little pit. For a month
previously had been working in the waste of the little
pit—a month previously to Monday before the acci-
dent. Wee through the whole of the waste during
that time. The ventilation was always very good.
No men have been working in that waste since he
was in. Has been a little way into the waste since
the explosion took place, and it was in a good state to-
day at twelve o'clock. Could see no indications where
the explosion took place. The Haswell pit was con-
sidered the best ventilated pit on the river. Wear.
Has worked in all parts of the pit, and never found
any want of ventilation. Has frequently heard the
men complain that there was too great a current of
air in all parts of the pit. The three strange work-
men in the waste are under the charge of three ex-
perienced pitmen, to whom they are only assistants,
and in no way responsible for the work done ; the ex-
perienced pitmen are alone responsible, and if any-
thing happens they are accountable. The men that
are with them have to take charge of both them and
their Davy lamps. It was possible enough for the
explosion to have taken place if there had been a cur-
rent of air into every part of the pit. If a heavier
body of gas came off than there was air to overpower,
an explosion might be the result, and it is his opinion
that was the case in this accident. It was possible for
a sufficient quantity of gas to have come off from the
removal of the jud as would cause the explosion. Has
never seen any gas in the course of six years and a
half in Haswell waste. He has known in the Charlie
pit, at Lambton, the air as clear as in a bell, and in
half an hour the Davy lamps were rolling full of gas.
Considers the Davy lamp very secure—as secure, or
more so, than any other that lie knows anything
about. Is very certain every care is taken that is
possible in the air courses in the waste.
Edward Fenwick Boyd, colliery viewer at Urpeth,
near Chester-le-street, is not connected with Haswell
colliery, nor the owners. Has been down the Has-
well pit since the explosion, and has examined the ex-
ternal parts of the Meadows Flat, particularly the re-
turn of the air; has found a good air travelling in
the direction of the return drift. The marks upon
the wall sides and the timber indicate an explosion ;
the marks were all in one direction, indicating the
force of the gas; has also examined the stoppings,
and air crossings in the rolley way, which are forced
in a contrary direction from the working places.
Part of the timber and some large stones in the rolley
way had fallen down ; there were large falls of stone.
The inferences to be formed from these appearances
are, that the explosion must have taken place near the
highest headway course, of which he had no doubt,
and near to the faces of the working places. Also
examined a few boards of the Brockley Whinn■ Flat
adjoining to that way, and found the indications of
fire not so strong in that direction, but the blast had
gone in that direction. The other observations are
similar to what is already in evidence. As check
viewer he has been in the habit half-yearly of going
down to view the pit, particularly the district where
this misfortune has happened, and has had opportuni-
ties of travelling different portions of the waste,
and also had opportunities of comparing it with
about twenty-five other colleries which he in-
spects, and, except one, it exceeds all the
others as to the quantity of air, and the direc-
tion and general attention to it. Considered the
ventilation of the pit admirably good. In Walisend
colliery, 38,000 cubic feet or 40,000 cubic feet, is
passed in a minute, and this may be compared with
the ventilation of this pit already in evidence. There
are no known better means of ventilation than what
are in use in this pit. The temperature of this pit is
as good as any other. On the 26th of January this
year the temperature was taken by him on going into
the pit. At the surface it was 46 deg., and at the
bottom of the pit, 165 fathoms down, 53 deg. The
return, just before going on to the furnace, 61 deg.,
and at the face of the workings where the men work,
58 deg. In one instance he found the temperature at
the furnace cooler than when the air went in. It was
on the back, on a warm day, 67 deg., and at the re-
turn 61 deg. Is of opinion that the explosion was
caused by a light coming in contact with the foul air.
A current of air will carry the flame through the
wire of a Davy lamp when the wire is red hot. Has
seen seven or eight lamps blown out by the fall of
stone on drawing a jud. If the stoppings could have
been built strong enough to have resisted the blast is
fearful the worst result might have taken place. The
two shaft-doors between the downcast and the upcast
shafts might have been thrown down, and the result
would have been the losing of the whole of the men in
the other pit as well as those who suffered. Having
space to spread in it consumed itself for want of a
supply of gas and air. It was quite possible to have
done greater harm.
The inquest was agreed to be adjourned till to-
morrew.

MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS

The following are the resulta of "A Table of Mortality
in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths from
all Causes registered in the Week ending Saturday, the
28th of September,'lB44." The Tablelis issued from the Office
of the Registrar-General:— _

Weekly
CAtlllss Or DEATH. Total. Average of
Five Years.
Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases 232 178
Diseases of variable or uncertain seat ll4 111
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses 136 157
Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of

Respiration
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 2O 21
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other
Organs of Digestion
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c 8 5
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. 9 10
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles 7 6
Diseases of the Skin, &c
Old Age, or Natural Decay 54 71
By Violence, Privation, or Intemperance
Causes speciied
Deaths from all Causes 932 946
DEATHS FROM TER rnnicirar. DROWSES INCLUDBD UNDER

TIM ABOTB MEADS.

Teal. Meetly Average
of Five Tears.
Consumption l3B 147
Scarlatina B5 34
Pneumonia .- 59 79
Dropsy .. ... .. .. ............
~.

looping Cough ll 33
Typhus
Small Pox 37 15
Disease of the Heart
Measles .
Apoplexy
Diseases of the Brain • 9 9
Diarrhoea..
Sudden Deaths 26 15
DISTRICTS.

West
North
Central
East
South..

Total .... ..... ...... ..... 939 946

CADvuttnsEmtNT.]—A NETER FAILING REMEDY
FOR ♦LL CAVES OF SCURVY, SCORBUTIC HUMOURS,
AND SCROFULA, BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINT-
MENT.—EXTRAOEDINART Cuna.—Henry Hill, now a
footman to Lord 8., was lately discharged from the Duke
of B's. service in consequence of his having large
scorbutic blotches all over his hands and face, to his
great disfigurement. For twelve months he was treated
by his master's medical attendants, but to no purpose,
and the case was at last declared incurable, and ho was
discharged. The poor fellow then, as a forlorn hope,
commenced using Holloway's Pills and Ointment, which
effectually eradicated the disease from his blood
in less than three weeks. Sold at Professor Hollo-
way's Establishment, 224, Strand (where advice nay
be had gratis), and by almost all respectable vendors of
medicine throughout the civilised world.
CONCRETE MATCIIES.—The extent to which the
manufacture of these useful articles is now carried may
not, perhaps, be generally known. One firm alone in
London (Blackwell and Williams, of Whitechapel),
manufacture weekly, two tons and a half, containing
ten millions, eight hundred thousand matches. This
immense quantity, if placed lengthways, would reach a
distance of 426 miles, or, in twelve months would nearly
make the circumference of the globe, and weigh ono
hundred and thirty tons. To make this quantity, 71
miles of plank, three inches thick, and eleven inches
wide, would be required, and nearly two hundred hands,
including men, women, and children, besides two steam-
engines kept constantly employed.