Evening star., 1963-08-24
Caution Prevails at Digging Site
Despite Optimism Over Operation
MINERS
Continued From Page An

morrow night. "The boys are
working like beavers. But you
know it's going to be a heavy
job, and we are making sure
that everything is done okay."
"Okay," said Mr.. Fellin.
"Take your time. We're going
back to Sleep"
"WeIl call if we need you,"
said Mr.. Joyce.
Clay and Loose Rock
The first 80 feet of the es-
cape shaft are mainly clay and
loose rock. The next 173 feet
are sand rock-which breaks
up into sand as the hole is
bored. The remainder Of the
distance is through solid rock
and coal.
Timbers, planks and other
snoring materials were lowered
to Mr.. Felllin and Mr.. Throne
during he night. They wedged
these against the ceilings and
walls of their 14-foot- by-9-foot
chamber to brace it.
The plug then was lowered
down the shaft and concrete
poured on top of it to bond
it to the walls.
While the rescue work con-
tinued, a special ward, equipped
with oxygen tents and other
facilities, was set up at the
Hazleton State Hospital near
by. The State Public Welfare
Department said it ordered the
room prepared for the miners
use as soon as they are brought
UP. It normally has six beds.
Caution Prevails
Despite optimism over the
way the entire operation is pgs~
ceeding, caution prevailed. H.
B. Charmbury, State Secretary
of Mines, said "the situation is
Just as dangerous now as it
has ever been"
He said, I'VE haven't given
up on Bova."
Just before the 12-inch hole
was closed Fellin and Throne
were asked If they needed any
thing else.
mo, wait a minute" replied
Mr.. Fellin. "I'd like some more
planks."
More 1O-foot long, ! by 4 inch
boards were lowered to the men.
Hammering could be heard
over a microphone communica-
tions system which was lowered
to the men when contact was
first made with them last SUM-
day night through a six-inch
lifeline hole, after nearly being
given up for dead. Mr.. Fellin
and Mr.. Throne have been re-
ceiving food and other supplies
through the lifeline hole but
Mr.. Bova has been without food
Tv Camera Lowered
Shortly before midnight. a
31a by % inch, specially con-
structed television camera made
by General Precision Corp. of
Pleasantville, N. Y, which is
used to inspect New York sew
ers, was lowered into the cubi-
Gle.
Two television monitors on
the surface picked up unclear
images of the men, but still
they were a fascinating and
joyous sight to rescuers, rela-
tives and spectators.
The purpose of the TV ex-
pertinent was to check the
shaft, examine the cubicle and
permit a physician to examine
the men but it apparently
proved unsuccessful because OF
unclear pictures. Some persons
couldn't distinguish Mr.. Fellin
from Mr.. Throne.
The 12-inch escape hole,
drilled by the giant rig, finally
hit its mark at 1929 pm, yes
terday after two previous
failures.
"I can see the drill!" shouted
Mr.. Fellin. "Hold it! That's
enough. It's through"
It was first understood that
the drill went through the top
of the cubicle but later Mr..
Charmbury said the hole came
down beside the chamber.
"The breaks through! The
breaks through" Mr.. Fellin
kept shouting.
Watching on the surface, his
wife, Anna, cried and rejoiced.
"It's wonderful" she said.
1--WE prayed all the way, every
minute"
Spectators, a quarter Of a
mile away, cheered and clapped
one another on the back.
eff there ever was a miracle,
this is it," said one.
The breakthrough climaxed
more than an hour Of waiting
for the final few inches of hard
rock to give way.
Earlier yesterday, Gov. and
Mrs. William w. Scranton of
Pennsylvania took time out
from a New York vacation to
visit the scene and converse
with the men over the COM
munications system.
Hi, fellows! Hi, David! Hi,
Hank! said the Governor.
you're both wonderful guys.
Wa'ra inst as uroild of Won as