Evening star., 1963-08-25
Attempt to Save Two
DeIoyed Until Monday
Continued From Page Al

SODgAAANCu AAOlA Csc IA
asked if he wanted any Iood
sent down.
NO." he replied. I'm too
busy"
This was while the 26-inch bit
was being used. AS decided be-
fore the enlarging began, the
hole would be cut 26 inches in
diameter for the first 35 to As
feet. Drilling the 12-inch hole
to this depth had proved rela-
lively simple. Then a confer
ence Of experts was planned to
decide the next step.
The 26-inch bit was stopped
at the 38-foot level. From here,
it had been planned originally,
a decision would be made on
continuing with a slightly
smaller bit-24 inches wide or
using a 17-inch one.
The decision d was for the
smaller one-but at a 171a-
inch width to provide better
clearance for the capsule. Mr..
Charmbury said the 26-inch bit
was wo5bling so badly that I'VE
had to stop the drill to prevent
it from swapping off,"
The escape capsule, which
has been here for days, is made
of rolled steel and is pointed at
both ends, to cut down the pos
Sibility Of becoming wedged in
the shaft. 1t is about Is inches
in diameter.
Capsule is Tested
When its use was first sug-
gested, rescue officials doubted
a full-grown man could fit in
side. But then a .ive-foot-eight
miner, who weighs 285 pounds,
showed he could. Neither Mr..
Throne, %, nor Mr.. Fellin, So,
is that big. Mr.. Throne is of
average build, Mr.. Fellin slight
and wiry.
In addition to the timberS Mr..
Throne and Mr.. Feliin used to
close the 12-inch opening and
brace the walls, giant plug"
to be destroyed later, was sent
down from the surface and
sealed with concrete before en-
larging began.
AS the roar of the giant
drilling rig pierced the dawn,
Art Joyce, a State mining in
Spector, got in touch with the
two men over the six-inch life
line hole - completed Sunday
when they had been given up
for dead by all but close rela-
tives.
How are you today?" asked
Mr.. Joyce.
I'm all right" answered Mr..
Fellin.
"How'S the plug, all right?"
"Yeh, fine"
Then Mr.. Fellin had a ques-
ton.
Asks "HOw LOng?"
How longs it going to be?"
1T won't be long now" said
Mr.. Joyce, not mentioning Sun
day night. "The boys are work.
ing like beavers, But you know
its going to be a heavy job,
and we are making sure that
everything is done okay." 4
"Okay," said Mr.. Fellin. Take
your time. We're going back to
Sleep"
While the rescue work con-
tinued, a special ward, equipped
with oxygen tents and other
facilities, was prepared at the
nearby Hazleton state Hospital
for the miners use as soon as
they are removed. The ward
normally holds six beds. 1t was
ordered ready by the State Pub
lie Welfare Department.
George Chulick, of Fidman
Pa, chief of the bituminous
mine rescue division of the
State Mining Department, said
he thought the first man could
enter the rescue capsule fairly
easily with the others assist
ance.
THE one thing that disturbs
me-" he said. "is that second
man. He will have no
assistance"
He said, however, plans are
being worked out to place a
harness inside the capsule with
a rope running to the surface.
The second man could attach
the harness to himself and then
be helped by pulls on the rope
from those on the surface, he
said.