The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-13
DUST AND GAS WE'RE
JOINTLY TO BLAME
acoNr1N11pp FROM PAGE 8,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50
~~-~~~~~~---~-~~-~~
heat are the second left air course ana
the third left heading and aircourse, OH
the main north haulage. Dust was known
to be apparent in the mines, during lts
operation. for an installation of 1t sprays
were in use to moisten the air to dampen
any accumulation of dust. We found con-
siderable water ponded up IN several
places, and where the explosion hao
passed over these places, the DUST STOOD
suspended on the water which appeared
before perforated it like a solid body OF
dust Most places of Importance In the
mine showed signs of the explosion, but
those given are of greatest consequence.
Your attention is called to the fact
that the volume of explosion all pointed
In force to shaft No. l. while shaft No.
was partly an intake for the fresh air.
but shaft No. was intake of fully 80
per cent.
We beg to call attention to Associate
Inspector Neills report of a few days
before the accident. Prior reports also
verify the safe condition of the mine.
and as part of the report, l append
Mr.. Flynn's report of January %. Mr..
Flynn was then the chief mine inspector
In our summary, we beg to say that
we are of the opinion that small body of
gas was ignited in some part of the mine.
The machines were making sufficient
dust, that was held in suspension of the
air, so when the fame of the gas reached
the dust, the hydrocarbons became
ignited.
Reports of Fire Bosses
Henry Ellis, fire boss, Wednesday MORN
ing's examination The following places
marked: Second right cross haulage, the
heading marked out, main east, heading
marked out, room No. 10, straight butt
heading marked out. He went back and
removed gas before men started to work.
His last examination of the old workings
was Monday previous to explosion. and
found them free of gas, the water sprays
reported in good condition.
Morgan Johns, night fire boss. $3.50
ing:
Gas in first left heading off manway
heading.
Gas in second left heading, cross haul
age and main east heading.
He left all working places clear of gas.
The above is copy of Morgan Johns
report three hours prior to accident
Morgan Johns acted as fire boss. also
looked after the shooting of all shots,
which required his personal attention.
Morgan Johns lost his life in the ex-
plosion. His body was found on a head
ing haulage. showing that no shots were
fired by him at that time.
The explosion could be placed as start
ing at several different points, but with
no degree of accuracy. We have come to
the conclusion that 1t was a gas ex-
plosion, assisted by what dust it could
gather.
The fan in use at the mine is a Clifford
centrifugal, 10 inches in diameter and at
its lowest speed produced $4,000 cubic feet
per minute. at which speed it was run
ming at time of disaster. The mine was
ventilated in two splits
For your information I herewith attach
a copy of the last two examinations of
this mine prior to explosion also full
detail of the construction of plant.
The company has agreed to fire all
shots by electricity from the outside
when they resume operation.
The following are the names of those
killed:
White
James A. Bishop, married; Walter Xiv
ers, single; ]. B. Mehaffey, single; Mar
ian before, married; Grover Landrum,
married; Morgan John, married; John
Sisk married; Luther Stephens, married
G. B. Washburn, married; Rich Wilker-
son, married; John Aaron, single; Con-
stant Guicecoletto, 1ranci Baltestuo,
unknown supposed to be an Italian.
Black
Alonzo Largent, single; Henderson