New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
SUNDAY EDITION.
AUG. 20, 1892.
FORTY-SEVEN SAVED.
THE WORK OF RESCUE AT THE PARKSL1P
PIT PUSHED WITH DESPERATE ENERGY.
SIGNALS FROM FOURTEEN MORE OF THE I'M
PRISoNED MINERS nEARD-AFFECTING
SCENES AT THE PIT MOUTH
STORIES OF SURVIVORS.

STORIES OF SURVIVORS.
London, Aug. 27.-The volunteer rescuing par
Ties at the Parksp pit. the Of the disastrous
explosion yesterday, at Bridgcnd. Wales, have
saved fortN-seven of the imprisoned miners. and
signals from another group have been heard
The rescuers worked with a will all night
long, and removed an enormous quantity OF rub
bish from the mine. At O'Clock this morning
they had penetrated 900 yards into the main
shaft In all this distance not sign of life was
discovered. but here and there the body of
miner was found, its attitude showing how sud
denly death had come. Some of the men had
died in the very act of using their picks. lie
bodies of ten men, who did not have seconds
warning of the fate hanging over them. were re-
covered. The bodies of two miners were found
who had apparently made frantic attempts to es-
cape from the pit. Their efforts had been frus-
trsted by the falling roof of the mine, and their
bodies were terribly mutilated. Crushed to
death, they swept over by the raging fire
that burned out many OF the timber supports.
While band of the rescuers were workln9
their way further into the pit this morning
sound heard that caused them suddenly to
suspend operations. Eagerly listening, they
awaited repetition of the noise Soon II came,
low and weak, but in sufficient volume 10 make
the rescucrs know that somebody behind the
fallen rock ana carJn was awe. WIN d hearty
cheer in response the rescuers again bent TO their
task with renewed energy. Word was passed TO
the pit mouth and soon the news spread around
The district that some Of the imprisoned miners
we're yet alive, and that they would I've saved.
In short time there was scene of the widest
excitement about the pit mouth. Women and
children who had stood AROUND all day yesterday
and late into the night, returning to their homes
only when all hope seemed to have been lost, ran
TO the pit and in eager voices asked the OFFICIALS
if the news was true. When assured that II
was. the scene was nearly as affecting as was
that of Yesterday when everybody believed that
all in the mine had met their Death.
Far below the surface of the ground the sturdy
rescuers continued their difficult task. AT last
they determined to change their mode OF opera
ton, and dig sort Of tInnel. For many
yards they dug forward, cheered and encouraged
by the sounds heard and then, showing
that the survivors knew they were approaching
At last the separating bank of rock and earth
fell inward, ana the reScucrs, still crawling, en-
tered an open space in which were huddied to-
cethcr several OF the miners who had been I'M
rrisoned since yesterday morning The rescuers
found that most of their comrades had Deen
badly injured and burned. SO serious, indeed,
is their condition that special arrangements Will
have to be made 10 get them from the pit UuSts
of dangerous gases are continually coming from
the mouth of the pit, and the officials Will allow
no one to 60 down. The after-damp Is so bad
that the work of rescue is often retarded, the
volunteers being driven out Of the excavations
until the air improves 1t is said that some OF
the imprisoned men were unconscious when found,
While Others we're in dazcd condition.
This afternoon another dispatch was received
from Bridgcnd stating that forty of the impris-
oped miners had been rescued and brought 70 the
pthead. The when they reached the sur
face was indescribable. Their appearance. though
it brought JOY TO many, brought deep sorrow to
others, who gave way to despair when they saw
that their husbands and fathers were not among
the rescued The rescue of the forty men. how
ever led to the belief that perhaps others In the
far workings of the pit had escaped ana were
awaiting the coming oil their rescuers. Late thls
afternoon another Tescuing party saved seven
more of the imprisoned MIXERS. VINO were aU once
brought 10 the surface -,
Tie volunteer reecuers say that they have
signalled party of imprisoned men, VINO ,ra DS
fourteen of them waiting for the resculng party
to dig them ont. The work of burrowlng through
as willing hands can do it, and it is hoped that
the men will soon be released from 'hen
prison.
who were working near the shaft have been
saved. II is now doubted that any Of the others
are alive .,,.,.. ,o.ou;,,,
their struggles in the dark to escap the coal laiis
They kept moving from place 70 place along tt We
levels to get away from the falling masses Al
times some of them. half-chOked by the noNlouS
vapors, would fall helpless. lhcIr stronger com
rades partly lifted them and dragged them TO siler
spots Here they would rest for awhile uAtll tle
weaker men were able to stagser along toward
the shaft When the explosion occurred II eNtln-
guished all except two of the miners lamps. Inc
scanty supply of oil in these soon burned OUT ana
the men were In utter darkness. lney hau gone
only a comparatively short distance when uley
found their way blocked, the whole OF tilat part
Of the level being filed up Again and AGAIN 1hey
tried to force their way through, but In their cii-
feebed state they found the task hopeiess'
They gathered together and discussed their chances
OF rescue. which all agreed were small. AZ tlihe
passed and the roar Of the fire behind the Darrlc'
was heard the men dcspaired Of ever AGAIN seeing
nnti early this morning they heard the dull
click of picks in the hands Of the rcscucrs.
One OF the rescued miners, IN an lhcr - 49,
after the explosion. We could bear me name.
roaring through the mine but they failed TO se'
through the mass of rubbish piled up before US,
After a time we tried TO get out. but were driven
back by the sulphur fumes Three OF the me, men
thought they could rush through me h' H. 'in
nntl ,hev reached a comparatively clear space,
when they started TO run They had gone ohN
short distance when all we're overcome oy the gas
and fell II was impossible to save 'heH' anu
they died where they fell: ,.o
The greatest praise is due the men WHO, VINO nav nav,
volunteered for the work OF rescue lhey nave
taken their lives in their hands, lor no one
knows at what moment coal fall may pury thcm
or when they may he ch0ked with the altr-uamp
But MOI one OF them has held back on the 'on-
trary all have been ANXIOUS TO be seiec'eo ior ''
work.