ENTOMBED MINERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 157, 15 October 1912, Page 5

ENTOMBED MINERS.

MOUNT LYELL DISASTER. EIGHTY-FOUR MEN STILL, MISSING. FIVE BODIES RECOVERED. By Tolesraph—Press Association—CopyrlgM Hobart, October 14. There are indications that the fire in tluj North. Mount Lyell Mine, in which 89 men are entombed, is subsiding, having burned itself out at the 700 feet level. A lamp and a notice board were lower: cd to the 1100 feet level, but nothing was found written on the board wlien it was hauled up. This is regarded as a hopeful sign, indicating that men aro away in the dead ends and other placcs of safety. The light kept burning, which is an additional favourable indication as regards tho air in tho bottom levels. Tho manager thinks the air there is good, and a hope is yet entertained that tho entombed men will be rescucd. A miner dressed in a diver's suit penetrated to tho 700 feet level, but found no sign of any of tho men. The > fire had then almost burnt out. Tho shaft has not been damaged. Rescue operations aro being feverishly pushed on. Four men were rescued from the 500 feefc level yesterday. The number still missing is eighty-nine. Tho rescuers are working against great odds. Tho heat is intense, and the smoke and fumes from the ores poisonous. Two men who penetrated to tho 500 feet lovol were almost suffocated, and were unablo to bring out a dead man, tho smoke overcoming them. Attempts to get a ladder connection betweon Nos. 2 and 3 levels, so as to reach the lower workings, so far have been futile. Two men, named Figg and Scannall, who made separate efforts to secure this connection, were overcome, and bad' to be dragged out. • The Government Geologist, with a large staff of Government inspectors and mine managers is directing tho operations. Tho Chief Inspectors of Mines in New South Wales and Victoria happened to bo Visiting Lyell to report on tho mine in connection with trouble between the management and the men, and rendered valuable' assistance in the rescue work. Mr. Sawyer, tho New South "Wales Inspector, headed and led gangs, and made repeated descents till he was overcome. The four men.rescned wore at tho 400 ft. level. They did not suffer severely. Tlie chairman of the North Mount Lycll Company states that tho latest information points to the fact that the entombed men are away from the main shaft, probably sheltering in tho levels, which 1 aro wide and high. There is plenty of shelter in tlie stopes and winzes. It is believed there are supplies of good air in the lower levels, and compressed air is being pumped in. • Tho smoko from the shaft is decreasing. HEARTRENDING SCENES. BODIES BROUGHT TO THE SUR- - FACE. FIREMEN TO THE EESCUE, (Kec. October 14i 9.35 p.m.) Hobart, October 14. A rescue party, at the North Mount Lyell mine penetrated tho 700 feet lovel, and recovered fivo bodies. A sixth body wna also' seen. Tho narpes of four aro, M'Carthv, M'Cashling, Ryan, and Bourke. The others aro unknown.

The rescuers havo abandoned operations for a time, as they have been driven back by the fumes. They report that they heard voiocs.

Later news from Mount Lyell is coming through very slowly, as tho telegraph office is inundated with private messages for relatives, which are being given preference. Many pathotio scenes havo been witnessed hero and in different townships. Crowds aro waiting at the newspaper and telegraph offices for the news.

Tho scenes at tho mine-head aro heartrending, where 1 hundreds of weeping women and men aro anxiously watching tho rescue operations. Everything possible is being done to reach tho entombed men, and efforts wore feverislily pushed forward throughout yesterday night and to-day. i

Tho resouo parties have been retarded by tho smoko and poisonous fumes which are rising from the shaft and permeating workings, and which make great car© necessary. Thoro were many, checks during tho forenoon, but relays of rescuers managed to get a hole through tho engine-winze, and reach the 700 feet level.

Subsequently an official notice was posted that five bodies had been found, and that tho victims had died of suffocation.

Later, a number of firemen with firehelmets, arrived from Launoeston, and entered the mine. They report that voices were heard. This lends hope to tho belief of tho mino officials that tho men in tho lower levels may yet be saved.

A steamer with fire-holmets and other i appliances left Melbourne at, three o'clock 1 in the morning, and is expected to reacli Burnio at midnight. A special train will j convey tlio appliances to tho scene of the disaster, i MESSAGES OP SYMPATHY. (Rec. October M, 0.35 a.m.) Sydney, October 14. Many messages of sympathy with th« sufferers nt Mount Lyell have been received lauding the heroic efforts of- the ' rescuers. These include messages from Lord Denmnn (the Governor-General) and | Mr. Fisher. j No further news has been received as'to the progress of reseuo work and the diffi- ; cnlty and delay in obtaining news add to tho general anxiety, foreboding the ! worst. , ! Tho experts cling to the hope that the 1 men in tho lower levels have taken re- | fugo in tho drives, and compressed air is still being pumped in to keep tho fume* back. ANXIETY IN MELBOURNE. { (Rcc. October 14, 9,35 p.m.) Melbourne, October 14, A big crowd throughout tho day a wait ! cd tho news from tho *\'orth Mount I,yell J mine, anjl sad scenes wcro witnessed a* i tho compiiny's offices. "Tho pathetic, scenes and frightful distress which will bo causal by (ho disaster at the North Mount I,veil Mine, in Tasmania," writes Mr. 11. lioss, repiwon- > tative of Messrs. Hy. Mark wold and Co., "will probably suggest to manv that mono- I tary assistance would bo welcomed by tho ' poor wives and children of those who havo lost their livos. Tho public would i feel grateful, I think, if you wcro to extend to thoin your assistance by receiving ! and transmitting on their account such small subscriptions as those desiring to contribute for the relief of tho sufferers may desire to send. In anticipation of ' your lending your assistance, I enclose a i cheoiie for .C.I 35," i

e shall ha pleased to fall in with fho suggestion marie, and forward anj subscriptions reec;vod,