THE TERRIBLE COLIIERY EXPLOSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1517, 26 March 1887, Page 2

THE TERRIBLE COLIIERY EXPLOSION

Sydnsy, March 25, A. correspondent thus describes the scene at Bulli yesterday : — H The crowd of people was densest nearest to the tunnel mouth, but was also scattered over a considerable area. On the truckway and about the embankments were seated women bewailing the loss of those dearest to them. They had passed the night at a pit further on. The houses of the miners are all deserted, and a few yards away m a large stone house, ona floorcovered with new-mown hay, lay the bodies, rows, most of them badly . bruised, and some frightfully mangled, and without a vestige of clothing or hair. The remains of fallen rocks tell their tale of mutilation. On the other side stands a carpenter's shop, where rough coffins are being made against time, the names of the victims being written on them m chalk. All this is being done m the presence of the widows and orphans. Rescue parties rush into the tunnel regardless of danger. For the first half-mile the air is good, and the tunnel pretty clear, but it gradually becomes worse, and the air thick and heavy. However, undaunted, they proceed over rocks, fallen timber, and m almost absolute darkness. The timbers at the sides and roofs of the tunnels are twisted as if they were matchwood. Bodies are met with here and there, most ot them being covered with clods. Then the men of the party, being overcome, are compelled to return m a semi-conscious state, but they are not taken out of the mouth of ihe tunnel for fear of raising false hopes. Ihe cause of the explosion has not yet been ascertained." The following is the narrative of a survivor : — J ohn Cavill satd that, m company with two others, he was engaged m opening a fresh connection between the "grip" and the western part of the mine, about s> mile and a quarter from the opening of the tunnel. Whilst engaged m making a hole through the fall ot stone trjiey heard an explosion. It blew the lights out, and the fumes smelt something like powder smoke. At the same time they could see a light mist. They turned back, and there was a good deal of after-damp, which was very bad until they got to the bank head. They had only five matches, and experienced great difficulty m obtaining a light. Their escape was miraculous. Most of the men m this drive use safety lamps, but further out m the direction of the opening open lights are used, but with great care. All the men lost were working within a radius of 200 yards, and none but safety lamps were m use there. Forty-three bodies have now been recovered. The operations of recovery are slow and dangerous. Many of the bodies recovered cannot be . identified. Melancholy processions have been seen all through the day. The scenes are most heartrending, distracted widows rushing to the morgue to ascertain who are recovered. An immense funeral of all the bodies found took place this afternoon. Arrangements are being made to open up what is known as the western drive, where it is believed most of the bodies are collected. The Minister of Mines is proceeding to Bulli this morning.