Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-16
THE COLLIERY DISASTER.

The following dispatch contains more par
ticulars Of the coliery disaster in Nova Sco-
tia tina n we have yet published. 1t is dated
the Nth:
From 10 O'Clock last night until daylight
this morning the fire at the Drummond col
liery ragged with intense fierceness, gathering
volume and violence every momeut The
sky in the vicinity of the calamity was illumi-
mated with the flames issuing from the air
shaft, to the height of nearly one hundred
feet.
All through the night there were explosions
at intervals. Three were preceded by a
rumbling noise resembling thunder. The
weary watchers who remained around the
pits mouth and air shaft, and labored to SUBJ
due the flames, were obliged to seek shelter
in the adjoining wood, as stone, debris, &C.,
were thrown from the pits mouth at each ex-
plosion and scattered around in all directions,
and threatened destruction or injury to all
within reach.
About two o'clock this afternoon these ex-
blossoms were followed by one which for ter
rife violence and destructive force dwarfed
all the rest. All the wooden works in and
about the main slope were instantly destroyed
Stones, wood and burning embers were driven
high into the air, smoke, flame and horrible
noises accompanying the explosion. The
| earth for miles around was shaken with the
violence of explosion.
! Since two o'clock this morning the FIRE has
continued to burn, the flames issuing from
all the air shafts, although not so intense as
last evening. Laborers are now energetically
at work filling up the shafts with clay. BY
this means they have so far succeeded in
subduing the flames that hopes are entertained
that the worst danger is over, unless another
explosion takes place.
One of the air shafts is now drawing air
and this renders the situation very precari
Gus. 1t was feared that the fire would spread
into the Acadia mine, which adjoins tn.
Drummond colliery, but every precautor
having been taken to guard against such dan
ger, no apprehensons is felt at the Acadia
works.
The scenes in and around the villages are
saddening. Westville and the village at the
Drummond colliery are in mourning. The
shops are closed and no work is being done
Men and women wonder about in groups,
their saddened countenances betokening the
grea. grief that has befallen them.
| The colliery is reported the worst mine in
the coal district for the accumulation of gas,
and with no available means of putting fire
out speedily. There is no change in the fire.
The flames continue to issue slowly from the
|
thought, have so far succeeded in filling then
up with clay as to avert any further danger
Apprehensions of another explosion have sub
sided.
The coroner's inquest has been adjourned
until Tomorrow forenoon.
Testimony was elected this afternoon whicl
points to some Encouragement in permittin,
, miners to use powder for blasting in the up
r per level where the fire first broke out, thus
endangering the lives OF those at work in The
levels below.
The inspector Of mines, however, who at.
tended the inquest, thinks that the direct
cause was in not exercising proper care in
firing shots in the bench. The first two were
merely blown out, causing assures in the
body of the coal where gas accumulated.
When the third shot was fred the coal gnited
and all attempts then to quench the flames
were unavailable.