The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-18
CARELESSNESS OF
MINERS CAUSES
EXPLOSIONS
DEADLY AFTER-GAsEs FINISH
WORK OF DEsTRUcTioN-LAsT
YEAR MORE LIVES WERE LOST
THAN EVER BEFORE.

WASHINGTON. Jan. l8.-More lives
were LOST In the coal mines OF the
United States during 1908 than In
other years In history. This year is
going after l90S's gruesome record.
Hundreds Of lives were lost last Tues
day In n model mine near Biueheids,
w. Va. and on the day preceding near
ly thirty miners were killed IN the
Letter mines. In Illinois
The great mass OF the American
peopis. startled by the enormous loss
o. lie. holds its breath for a moment,
sheds a few tears. contributes a few
dollars 40 the fund for the helpless
widows and half-siaryed orphans and
proceeds 10 forget all about IL. few
men. scientists or humanitarians. ask
Why 10 such accidents occur. How
ca they be precented. To the first
question, there is no answer. To the
second. the reply Is: They cannot be
prevented"
The Lick Branch mine near Blue
heids vas a model mine, said 10 be
one NJ the safest In America, II was
doGble shafted, double timbered and
we'll supplied with airshafts and vents.
In the shops above were the latest
mechanical devices operating fans
sending cir currents rushing through
the mines. through every entry ami
drift. supplying the life-giving oxygen
10 the men at work.
All these precautions are taken ID
prevent the accumulation OF gas. Sci
ence has not YET solved the problem
OF preventing the formation OF gas.
1t can prevent its accumulation some
times.
Mining engineers and chemists rec
ognixe three kinds Of mine gase3.
They denominate these gases Ave
damp, after-damp and white-damp.
Now and then, miners call the two
latter ckoke-damp.
Fire-damp Is the only one OF the trio
that Is explosive. II Is gas given
on by coal under the influence OF the
heat OF the earth. Chemical analysis
shows that II Is never the same In
any two mines. 1t is lighter than at
mcspheric air and gathers near the
roofs OF chambers. drifts and entries.
Sometimes il Is found in pockets"
that Is. cavities. In coal veins. II con-
sists largely OF carbureted hydrogen,
or what Is known commonly as marsh
gas, familiar to those who live near
marshes and swamps. Fire-damp Is
MOI explosive until IL is mixed with air
and brought into contact with flame
When Davy Invented the miners
safety lamp. II was thought that all
danger OF nine explosions was over.
This lamp~Aas ire hame surrounded
with a metallic screen, which does
not permit the passage OF the flame.
But the screens burn out after long
usage and miners grow careless. They
will smoke In the mines. Ii is against
the rules. yet on the dead bodies OF
nine out of ten victims OF mine bor-
rorv will be found the old pipe, the
halffled sack CT tobacco and the few
matches.
Sometimes, too. the careless miner
will "tamp" his shot or blast with
paper instead OF clay. The result Is
that the force Of the exploded powder
is upward, and downward. a flame
shoots up. and If there be any gas
around an explosion Is inevitable.
Such an explosion above ground would
not be attended with serious conse'
ouences But in the narrow. cramped
confines OF a mine. hundreds OF feet
under ground. the result Is appalling.
The gases released by the explosion.
moving along the lines OF the least
resistance. tearing twisting and dis
rupting. reach the air vents and main
shafts and wreck them. This I'M
prisons those miners notk illed by the
explosion and cuts OF their air supply.