Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-21
Fearful COlIiery Explosion.

Fearful COlIiery Explosion.
at the village of Westville, county of Picton,
l03 miles from Halifax, where there are
three large collieres in full operation. Nav
igation having recently opened. the work
men demanded increased wages, and several
strikes occurred. Ooe of the largest mines,
called the Drummond colliery owned ny the
inter colonial company of Montreal, had
been closed sever al days. Monday the diff
Guilty was arranged, and Tuesday the men
returned to work. At hal.-past | | shot in
the coal set fire to the slope. and half an
hour after fearful explosion TOOK place.
About o'clock second explosion occurred,
coming up the slope of the air shaft, an old
trial shalt, with terrible force, and killing
hearty all in the mine.
The number is estimated at about IS, in-
Guiding men and boys. Soon after the first
explosion cries were heard at the foot of the
air shaft. Men were Immediately lowered
with ropes, and four of those below were
brought up. Two men were going down the
air shalt to render assistance, when the Sec
ond explosion occurred and they were blown
to pieces. There was such small supply OF
water that little could be done to quench the
fime. From 10 O'Clock, Tuesday night, I'M
| til daylight, the fire ragged with intense fierce
ness, gathering volume and violence each
moment. The sky was illuminated with
| flames, issuing from the air shalt to height
| Cf nearly 100 ieet. All through the night
there were explosions. The weary watchers
who remained around the pits mouth and
air shafts, and labored co subdue the flames,
were obliged to seek shelter in the adj Dining
wood, as the stones, debris, etc., thrown
from the pit's mouth at each explosion, were
scattered IN all directions, and threatened in
slant destruction or injury to every one with
in reach About O'Clock, yesterday after
noon, these explosions were followed by one
of terrific violence and destructive force. All
| the wooden works in and about the main
slope were instantly destroyed. The earth
for miles around was shaken with the vio-
lence of the explosion. Laborers energetical-
Iy worked filling up the shafts with clay.
The fire WAS extIn pushed on Saturday, the
mines having filled considerably with water.
The inquest upon the body Of John Dunn
brought out testimony relative to the cause
of the disaster. The jury returned tie fol-
lowing verdict: 1--WE find that the said
John Dunn came to his death, on the 18Th
INST, by an xposion OF gas in Drummond
colliery, caused by arrangement OF ventila-
1
McLeod's ward They say considerable
care was exhibited in the management of
the mine, but express their regret that pow
Ger was permitted to be used in the ward
worked by Robert Mcleod, who fired tn
shot which evldently caused the disaster.
The miners attribute the direct cause OF the
calamity to the refusal OF the mana ger tC
give an extra price to Mel cod for getting out
the coal in his ward, thereby enabling him
j to dispense with the use of powder. Ii the
use OF powder, as stated, was prohibited II
chat ward, then it was the duty of some one
TO see that the regulations were strictly en-
forced.
Robert Mcleod testified as follows: wa
at work at the bottom OF No. > level on th,
sJuth side when | went into the ward
found Gully six inches OF gas, and that on th'
high side; the mine was all clear as usual
| fired two shots, but neither caught a
IL AS | fired the lower bench, but it did MOI
blow we'll tried to disod ge coal, but de
not succeed; was Obliged to retire 10 min
utes alter, in consequence OF the coal cItchln.
ire alter getting lres1 aid | endeavorcd Il
] return, but could not get toto the ward;
[ then met Joe Richardson, WhO sad he cJult
20 in the lodgemeht way; went alter him
aud could see that the fire mad caught tn
atticlng ; orders were gwen to start tn
pump, but the smoke was increasing; Rich
n ardson then sent me out alter Mr.. Dunn
the manager, who came down; on returnIn
% rake which conveyed IA number OF boys
Richardson told me 10 call all the men WI
were inside. but that was lost cause; tue
q went up the slope; when within 300 lee
, | OF the openlns the blast caught nun; wht
ne felt il coming he threw himAelt down
apd ED ON To the rail, and succeeded 10 get
J ting out with the assistance OF man WHOM
Q ne did not know one OF the men ahead
DIN was his brother, who WIS lost; On bt
ing questioned by tue inspector, '"Itnes
SAID he had always tried the face OF the c1a
ls On his ward before firing snot He ha
e frequently seen the gas catch from a ia
g shot, but never from bench. He never 81
d euuG operate III the same wsy as tue OF
. which caused the fire dId. Richardson la
= told hun one morning that pow Ter shoul
| DOT be used but wnen witness told him tia
he would not work, Richardson gave hiu
PERMISSION t. use powder. II he had ha
Two or three men with him when the iii
L occurred, it could have been put out
Ii oad been required TO stop the use OF powde
IN his pace TWO months ago IN, Consequent
80 Of the low level having been fired the day b
tore. ln this level the gas would account
:. late SO rapidly that if the ventlator was dI
,t Gurbed it would fill the level in few mil
e utes. Before he lett his ward the first tim
- smoke was backing down against the al
which would interfere with the ventilation