St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-06-21
TINE EXPLOSION.

Halifax, June 20.-The most appalling
disaster in the history of the Cape Bre-
ton coal mining industry occurred Fri
day morning at Glace Bay, in the
Dominion Coal company's principal col
liery. According to an official account
Of the disaster, there were two explo-
sions, the first killing six men, and the
second, five. Fire had started about
3:45 a. M, in the mine, near what is
known as the deep pump, the cause being
unknown.
Six men who were there on their way
out were overcome by sudden explo-
sion of fire damp and suffocated where
they fell. quarters of an hour
later party of men were on their
way to the scene Of the fire, headed by
Thomas Johnston, the underground
manager, when second explosion Of
gas occurred, by which they were killed
instantly.
After considerable difficulty the posi-
ton of the fire was located and body
of volunteers attacked the flames with
water. This work was carried on
vigorously for several hours, when it was
found that the extent of the fire and the
difficulties Of fighting 1t rendered the
efforts useless.
The men who lost their lives in the dis
aster are: Thomas Johnston, under
ground manager; John Doyle, Sr. and
John Doyle, Jr., father and son, the lat
ter leaving wife and three children;
Arthur Grant, leaving a wife and three
children; Alexander Mcdonald, leaving
wife and eight children Stephen Nc
Cormick, wife and six children; Rory d.
McDougall, wife and three children
Neil Mcdonald, unmarried; Malcolm
McAuley, unmarried: Donald Martin,
wife and two children; William Simpson,
unmarried.
All the bodies have been recovered ex-
cept that of Martin.
Johnston when found was near one Of
the cross-cut doors. 1t Is supposed he
tried to open 1t with his left hand, as
his left side is burned terribly. He was
undoubtedly killed by the force of the
explosion. The others who were with
him were choked with fire damp.
The scene in the pit was of a most
weird character. The dead men were
thrown promiscuously into the box cars
and rushed to the cage. AS they passed
by the sight was a gruesome one. Dark
ness was only broken by the pale flicker
ing light of the lamps in the hands of res
cuers. The box cars went by contain
ing one body piled on top Of the other.
The rescuing party were staggering I'M
der the influence Of the gas. They were
almost, blinded with the smoke that was
pouring down in volumes upon ther..
Now and again 1t would cease and thus
give the men time to go on with the
gruesome task of finding the bodies.
One Of the men was found with his
hands round post. Mccormick was
found with handkerchief across his
mouth He evidently knew what was
coming and took precaution to save his
life but of no avail. A waistcoat was
found over his head. He probably went
into one of the rooms to save mate, but
the damp had become so dense that he
finally succumbed McAuley was found
with his head between the rails. The
others were found in different attitudes
and positions, all Of which went to show
that the men were overcome suddenly
anu Hdo pus little tiiHe 10 attempt TO eS-
| cape.
The scene about the engine house was
most touching. Women and children
were weeping and men were talking in
subdued tones The place was thronged.
| There was a steady downpour of rain,
which only added to the werdness of the
scene. The coal in the west deep, as well
as the timber, Is on fire. The air cur
rents changed several times while the
volunteers were in the pit. This would
indicate that an explosion had taken
place in the west deep.
Caledonia is part of Glace bay. It'll
an important coliery of the Dominion,
and averages $500 tons per day.
Lonely Ocean Voyage Begun.