The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-07-15
BIRDS Save Miners
CANARIES ARE CHIEF RELIANCE
OF RESCUING PARTIES.
tell OF AIR CONDITION
Trust of Men Placed in Birds Of the
Cage, Who Were Selected After
Mice and Other Animals Often
KeeIed Over When the Atmosphere
Around Them Was Pure.
Around Them Was Pure.

| W as L Ill
Canaries are the chief reliance OF
the United State Bureau Of Mines
and it is estimated that during the
few years they have saved more than
5000 lives.
Canaries were chosen for this work
after other animals were found to be
untitled for it. At first the bureau
tried mice. It was found, however,
that these little creatures were too
untrustworthy. They were inclined
to be sulky at times and to keel over,
even when in good physical condi-
ton.
The canary, on the other hand, re-
mains cheerful and lively as long as
it's physical condition is good. All
that it requires is fresh air. For
this reason the canary was selected
for this kind Of work, and the sue
success which has attended its use has
resulted in its being made a perman-
ent and most valuable addition to
the rescue staff.
Since canaries have been used, the
toll among miners has been reduced
from 5000 to 1000 or from Z to A.
2s men for every million tons mined
annually.
When there is an explosion or a
cave-in at coal mine, and miners
are entombed, word is sent immed-
lately to the Federal Bureau of Mines
to rush to the scene of the disaster
one of its specially equipped life-saT-
ing railway cars. Each car is equip
ped with an oxygen helmet and with
other chemical preparations for con-
tending with the deadly latter
damp" In addition the crew al
ways carries several canaries in
heavy metallic cages.
Upon the arrival at the mouth OF
the mine where disaster has occur
red, the first thing the rescue crew
does is to look after the miners who
have managed to crawl to the surface
injured or otherwise, and to admisis-
ter first aid. Part of the life-saving
crew attends to this line of work,
while the others try to penetrate the
mine in an effort to reach the unfor-
tunates beneath the surface, many
of whom are probably overcome by
the fumes Of the deadly "coal damp"
There are various places in the pas
sageways entering the mines where
the air is pure, and if the victims
could be dragged to them there would
be no necessity to carry them further.
The difficulty which rescue parties in
variably encountered before canaries
were used was in finding these pure
air spots. The leader of the rescue
party, however, is now equipped with
an ordinary brass bird Gags in which
a wide-awake canary hops.
This canary is kept in good humor
during the trip to the mine, and every
effort is made to keep it active. The
bird is taken into the mine under the
ever-watchful eyes of the leader of
the rescue party. AS long as the
bird continues to chirp and hop
about in the cage the rescue party
continues on it's way. But just as
soon as the birds activity begins to
waver, the progress of the party is
halted. The leader tightens his he'll
met to make sure that no breath OF
the death carrying "coal damp gets
into his lungs. The fact that the
canary begins to feel "wobbly" is an
indication that the air is impure, and
that such victims as they find will
have to be carried beyond this place
if they are to recover.
The party retraces its steps, care
fully watching the physical condition
of the bird in the cage, until they
reach a spot where the bird reVlVes.
with the bird to refresh it with his
supply of oxygen and to await the re-
turn Of the rest OF the party VIII
such victims as they may be able to
find.
The rescuers then proceed, minus
the bird, penetrating into the furthest
DEPTHS of the mine until they come
upon the entombed miners. Tne
cousht miners, usually unconscious
are arried to tie place where the
canary, again apparently perfectly
lively, is stationed. The victoms are
later taken to the surface to be taken
in charge by doctors. This work IS
continued until the rescue crew IS
satisfied that all of the miners have
been taken out.