Star.
London, England, 1823-11-08 00:00:00

EXPLOSION IN THE 11,41NTON COAL-PIT.

A Coroner's Inquest on the body of Thomas Go-
lightly, one of the sufferers by the explosion of fire-
damp, in one of the Marquis of Londonderry's col-
lieries, in the neighbourhood of Rainton, near Durham,
as mentioned in the Brmt of Thursday, took place at a
pnblic-house, near to thescene of the fatal catastrophe,
before Plata Bowwr, Esq. Coroner, and a very re-
spectable Jury. The evidence 'that was adduced was
not of a very interesting nature, merely extending to
shew that the explosion took place about six o'clock in
the morning that when the danger was apparent, the
overmen and persons in authority in the pit, exerted
themselves to the utmost to avert the dreadful conse-
quences that fol: ed, but it could not be ascertained
by what means Int inflammable air became ignited;
and that previously to the accident, the pit had been
considered perfectly safe.
Mr. Buddle, the Marquis of Londonderry's principal
viewer, attended the Inquest. He said he could not
form any correct opinion on the subject; but the pro-
bability was, that the foul air had been forced nut of
some of the old workings, by the falling in of part of
the roof, and had in its progr'ess, which, he said, could
not by any possibility exceed the distanceof a yard in a
second, become ignited ; but whether from carelessness
or accident, it was impossible to say.
It appeared from the testimony of the witnesses, and
Mr.'Buddle's statements, if the overmen had bad suffi-
cient ti Me to admit a current of pure air, the danger would
have been relieved. All the overmen were killed—one
whilst inoceeding to acquaint his superior of the state
of the thine, and another whilst proceeding to an air-
door to admit fresh air, but having nearly half a mile
to traverse, the explosion had taken place before hi
could effect his object. It was proved that Davy-lamps
were the only lights used in the pit, so that no blame
can be attached to any individual for the use of a light
of any other description.
The Comm, it having summed .up the evidence, the
Jury, without hesitation, returned for their verdict—
.' That the deceased, Thomas Golightly, came to his
death in consequence of a quantity of inflammable air
taking fire: but what caused that air to take 'fire they
could not say."
The extent of the calamity is greater than was at first
understood, 53 men and boys having met an untimely
death, instead of the number mentioned on Thursday.
At the time of the explosion there were about 80 men
in the pit, so that 26 or 27 escaped. Of these, about
ten, who were in a different part of the mine from that
where the explosion occurred, were altogether unhurt;
but of those who were injured, five or six are not ex-
pected to live; the remainder are out of danger. The
loss of lives will be severely felt, many of the sufferers
having left families of from four to eight children.

WRECKERS PUNISHED.—" BANGOR, °Cf.:XL—At the
last great Sessions for the county of Anglesey, held at
Beaumaris, in the month of August last, Richard
Ilughiq and William Lloyd, from thoneighbout hood of
Aberffraw, were tried and convicted of stealing part of
the wreck and cargo of the brig Flora, of Liverpool,
which was some time bcf,re stranded on the coast of
Aberffravr. As this is an offence of a serious name,
acid too frequently practiced on our coasts, in the dis-
tressing case of shipwreck, the Court was determined to
visit the above-named offenders with an examplaty
punishment ; and in passing sentence Judge KENRICA
ordered that they be publicly whipped at. Aberffraw ;
and accordiugly, on Thursday, the 23J instant, being
fair day, the sentence was catried into effect, and very
gxpertly performed by the ccicbrated flagellant David
Burgess, of Llanerchymedd, under the inspection of
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Esq. the unJer Sheriff, his
officers, and a great concourse of spectators.
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