The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-10-20 00:00:00

DREADFUL EXPLOSION OF A COAL MINE.
--r--

It is this week our painful duty to record one of those
heart-wounding events, which. notwithstanding the lumi-
nous discoveries and improvements lately made in the
sciences, and particularly in that which is more immediately
connected with the art of mining, seems inseparable from
those ill-fated mortals whose province it is to explore the
bowels of the eurtb. On Monday night last, the town of
Whitebaven was thrown into the utmost agitation, by an
awful explosion of fire-damp from the William Pit, (a name
of disastrous import) —a coal mine belonging to the Earl
of Lansdale, when it was known that a considerable num-
ber of colliers were at the moment etnployed in the svork-
Jag/. It was impossible to ascertain the extent of
the calamity immediately, but the fatal certainty
soon became apparent. No less than fourteen
men, sixteen hojs, and two girls have come to a pre-
meter* death by this catastrophe. That the pit was
overcharged with fire damp in some part of the workings
is aoir too evident ; bat is is doing no more titan jostles to
those who have the more immediate superintendence of
these very extensive concerns to my, that no precaution
was omitted by them to guard the colliers against any
sadden accident. The workmen, it appears, were employed
In removing some pillars. in a part of the pit where the
ventilation was extremely good, and there there was not,
eonsequently. any reason to apprehend danger from the
existence of fire-damp ; and indeed the air was, in general,
supposed to be good, except in some recesses into which
the colliers had no occasion to enter. They were, besides,
every one furnished with a safety lamp, and were under
strict orders from the superintendents to keep their lamps
properly secured. When the misfoetune happened they
had all nearly finished their work for the day, and by what
or whose neglect or mismanagement it was occasioned
scarcely a conjecture can now be formed. It is generally
supposed that one of the workmen ball been using some
improper liberties with his lamp, and bad removed the
cylinder when in a place where the fire-damp was present.
There were also seventeen horses killed, hut some of thei r
drivers escaped. In recording the above melancholys.event,
it may not be irrelative to mentions remarkable coincidence
I of names and circumstances which occurred some years
since in the Counts* of Durham. On the 25th May, 1812,
la tremendous explosion took place in the William Pit, a
coal mine at Felling Colliery. by which 92 persons out of
124 lost their lives, and 32 were saved; being the exact
number of those who have perished in the William Pit at
Whitehaven.—(Carlisle Journal.)

We learn from Kaaresbro, that some approximation is mak
Mg towards a reconciliation between the linen manufacturer
and the weavers.—(Leeds Mercnry.)
(From the-Manchester Oaardian.)—On Saturday night
last, between live and six o'clock, a strong sensation was
excited in the town, by a report that the New Bailey Prison
was on fire. It appears, that a lady who was passing by,
observed more smoke rising from the roof of the Court,
house than could be supposed to pass through the chimney,
and she communicated the circumstance to the gate-keeper.
On examination, it was found that that part of the roof
which covers the Magistrates' room was on fire; though,
from the depth of the under-drawing, the extent to which
the flames had proceeded, was not at first ascertained. Soon
after six o'clock the roof fell with a tremendous crash, into
the Magistrates' room. from which several gentlemen, who
had been employed in removing the books, had not retired
more than a minute. Beneath the Magistrates' room are
the lockups, in which persons are confined, who wait the
decision of the Magistrates, and in which there were at the
time a number of prisoners, who, of course, were dreadfully
alarmed when they heard the roof fall upon the floor above
them, and expected every moment that the burning wreck
would penetrate to:he place where they were confined. They
were immedia'ely removed to a place of safety. By great
exertion of the firemen, and others, the dames were prevented
from spreading further. Several of the prisoners rendered
essential assistance during the fire ; five or six, in particular.
who mounted the roof, exerted themselves greatly; and,
though they might easily have effected their escape, had
they been so disposed, Wong' was missing when they were
mustered after the danger wos over.
The great reduction is the price of whisky, which ha•
taken place within these few days, has been a matter of con
tinued rejoicing to dram drinkers and tiplers of every de-
scription; and intoxication 114 a prevailed to a degree that
lays little is favour of the temperance and self denial of the
lower classes. On Friday morning (10th inst.) the cinder
women congregated at an early hour, and the moment the
irit shops were opened, proceeded to try the quality of
the twopenny, at which price a gill of whisky may now b.
had—some is even sold so low as lid. Before noon, many
of these worthies were seen prostrate in the water ruts.—
(Ediabargh Observer )