The New York herald., 1871-09-18
ENGLAND.
The Terrible ColIicry Explosion at Wixan-
How the Disaster Occnrred-Sixfy-nine
Lives Sacrificed.


Lives Sacrificed.
From the London Times, september IL
About eleven O'Clock this morning coIliery ex-
plOson, the full eject OF which 1t Is Impossible to
state at the time Of writing, occurred at Messrs.
Pearson Il Knowles Moss Pits, situate on Byrn
Moss, IN the township OF lnce, and Immediately
for the borough Of wlgan. Messrs. Pearson
a Knowles have long been noted for the excellent
manner in which their colleres have been managed,
aud during the terrible succession of disasters which
swept over the Wlgan coal field a lew years ago
their extensive works enjoyed an immunity which
was generally ascrIbed TO the careful management,
and the TACT that expense whatever was
spared to insure the safety OF the lives OF
c Which swept swept Will With lightning rapidity through
Wigan this morning that an explosion had
occurred at one OF the colleries OF the firm was at
first received with increoullty; but IN walk the
Moss through Lower Ince, where the worst was
feared the sad tale told only too plainly 10y the
excited groups around the cottage doors and the
waiting OF wives and children. There was at once
rash to the PIT and the stream of relatives OF the
workmen and OF spectators gradually increased,
until at the ume of writing three o'clock the crowd
at the PIT bank numbered several thousand.
At the Moss Pits, which have been In worHing
only lew years, the seams worked are the wigan
Nine-ioot coal, which Is about 4so yards from the
surface o ano Tue Uanh9 ss WHICH Is some humniea
to the surface soely by The downcast shalt a
party Of sinsers being a. p.ssen, e%
Arley mine, which lies at stlll greater depth.
Al eleven O'Clock this morning the men IN the
Nine Feet and the Camel at work, ana two
snkers were descending the upcast shaft to JON
Their fellows below. when from the downcast came
a blast Ike the discharge ron cannon, followed
by terrible discharge OF SCOT and smoke from the
upcast which lasted several minutes, and was
,Ss ds hs sght tho s1 ysT
the cage. then standing on raised plat
form- was whired out OF its position, and the brow
man had al escape winch greatly terrified him.
while at the second shaft such wreck was made OF
the gear that 1t Is wonderful how the browman
there, man named Oakes, came alive from the
chaos He did sustain severe bruises and was taken
home in cart. In the wreck was found a cap, pre-
sumably belonging to one OF the snkers then de.
scendlng the shaft.
Along with the poor people who mad been
alarmed by the report came numbers OF the most
practical men from the neignbonng collieries ready
to lend all the aid IN their power many coliery
managers willing TO advise and direct.
At each shalt parties OF workmen were at once
employer at The upcast In setting the winding ap.
paratus in order, so as TO draw mp the hoppett
which still hung IN the shaft. This was accom-.
piisbed In about an hour and half, and It's arrival
al the surface was anxiously awaited bv those
who hoped against hope that the TWO sinkers might
there could be no further doubt OF the late Of Inc
men. The hoppett having been sent to the bottom
ami were Cautiously lowered to the Camel seam,
whence II snorlly returned with cargo Of
Eve golfers, who announced 10 the JOY OF
many scores OF anxious persOns and TO the sOr-
row OF OF Others that all was right there ard
lhst the explosion mad occurred IN tue Nne.i0ot.
The winding Of the men from The Camel was then
Quletly proceeded with, and all efforts directed
10 The establishment OF communication with below
nv the downcast shaft. by which alone II appears
crossing favoraDy aud a descent vas about 10 be
made when we lett the pit
When the first exploring party. descended the
d0wncast SHAFT tney found tnree men alive the
furnace, which IL placed IN an upper seam known
as the Four-fo0t. They then descended TO the
"Nlne-footn where there were q number OF dead
bodies and several golfers alive calling for water
These were sent TO 70 Tue surface and at;
tended TO- ana Inc explorers continued
their work. under the superintendent OF John
Brigham, mining engineer, and W. Pckard, miners
agent. Picard ioanj The Goa, 10 be on Dre, so
exiincteurs were sent down and buckets but
shortly Afterwards the engineers the pii bank
were started ny o second AMI tGlrd explosion OF
nre.damp. Az 'he greatest possible speed con
sIstent with safety the cage travelled from me
bottom W lhe surface, lor h,e Winuina apparatus
tEe third journey al the explorers
were safe above ground, although several had
very narrow escapes. A consultation was held, aud
II decided 20 brick mp the shaft, there could
be no dUuDt that AL below were dead and Una here
was tbegreatest danger IN any further examination
OF the mine. The dead number 50, OF whom o2 are
golfers, day IaD0rers and drawers ~ the Nipa-'""t