MINING DISASTER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1489, 11 July 1912, Page 5

MINING DISASTER.

74 MEN KILLEDEXPLOSIONS IN A YORKSHIRE COLLIERY. RESCUERS LOSE THEIR LIVES'. By Teleeraph—l'rces AEaociation-Copjrieiit London, July D. Tho town of Conisbrough, Yorkshire, is plunged in gloom over tho disaster at tho Cadoby colliery this morning. In all 74 men wero killed, 29 by the original explosion and 45 in attempting a rescue. , Five hundred men wero down the mine at the time of the explosions, and of this number thirty-five wero engaged in. an isolated working where the explosions took place. It is, believed that all of these are dead. A hundred other miners were absent from the mine attending tho festivities in connection with the viStt of their Majesties the King and Queen to Conisbrough. It is thought that a fire in tho waste in an old working ignited tho gas. The reports of the explosions were heard two miles away. Tliero was a rush of men's wives to tho pit head. Rescuers immediately descended under tho charge of Mr. Pickering, the Government Inspector. Many returnejl exhausted, but fresh volunteers at once Canio forward. The bodies of some of tho unfortunate men wero found in a, shrinking posture, their arms covering their eyes. Most of them wero shrivelled by the heat, and one was blown to atoms. Three further explosions occurred at midday, aud the falls from the roof of tho mine cut off eighty-four of tho rescuers. Tho worst is feared for tho party. Tho bodies of Mr. Pickering and Mr. Chambcrs (the manager of tho pit) were recovered.

Besides those killed many bto injured. Hi 3 Majesty the King lias sent a message of sympathy, stating that he was shocked at the calamity, particularly after the scenes of 'rejoicing at his visit to Conisbrough. Later in tho day it became known that 45 of the rescuers were dead, making a total death-roll of 74. , Sixty-nine- bodies have been recovered, including • those of Messrs. Hewitt and Ticltle, inspectors from Sheffield and Doncaster. Despite tho disaster, King George descended tho Elsecar mine 1000 feet. A RESCUER'S EXPERIENCES. HOW TITE SECOND EXPLOSION "CAME. ' (Rec. July ( ll, 0.15. a.m.) ' London, July JO. • Mr. Murgatroyd, who was ii Member of the. rescue party which descended under the charge of Mr. Pickering, states that when the party leached the sceno of tho explosion he was' tho only wearer of a respirator, Tho air was very good, but suddenly the atmosphere trembled, and the party had no time to reach safety before an explosion was upon, them v/itli a fearful roar. They were in clouds of dust and smoke. Ho remembered seeing Mr. Pickering and Mr. Bury, cne of the managers of tho pit, lying apparently asleep. i Ho staggered about in thick darkness, and then 1 realised that ho'was lost. Then there came a great fall. He.was so exhausted that he Collapsed. Afterwards lie found a telephone, and was soon rescued.

Mr. Bury and Mr. Witty, a submanager, have been brought to tho surface. Both aro in a eritibal condition. lIOYAL CONDOLENCES. (Rec. July 10, 10.20 p.m.) London, July 10. Their Majesties visited Cadeby in the evening. They were deeply affected on hearing the details of the disaster, and condoled with the bereaved. Many of the bodies are unrecognisable. The second explosion killed thirty-three men. The management are emphatic that tho disaster was not due to a shot firing or to faulty .electricity. When their Majesties left, the people realised that the occasion was not one for cheering, but by the clapping of hands showed their appreciation of the Royal sympathy.