THE ENTOMBED MINER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3762, 28 March 1907, Page 3

THE ENTOMBED MINER.

Still Alive. Divers Visit Him. His Pathetic Message. Perth, March 27. Divers Hughes and Hearne went down the Westralia East mine again yesterday afternoon, and again visited the entombed man Varischetti, and took him supplies in tins. The diver brought back a written message from Varischetti, stating that he feft his strength diminishing every day, and asking his rescuers to be quick. Varischetti’s message says the water rose in the mine with indescribable rapidity. In a minute the drive was full. He adds : “I was prepared to accept death. I wish to tell you to be quick and that I feel as if my bones were dying. Dear men have pity on myself. I send you my greetings. Farewell, I am, your miserable friend, Modest Varischetti. Between all of you, help me. ”

Six days ago, on March 21st, it was reported that a sudden inrush of water caught nine men in the workings of the Westralia East mine. Eight escaped and one (Varischetti) was entombed. He conld be heard knocking for assistance, but as it would take ten days to pump the water out of the mine his chances of escape were considered poor. On the 23rd, however, diving suits were obtained and another miner named Hughes, who had been engaged in diving, gallantly attempted to reach the imprisoned man. After a great struggle he managed to do so, conveying him food and messages from his relatives. The nature of the feat Hughes accomplished may be gauged from a description of his route- Varischetti was imprisoned at the top of a rise, which ended the 1000 feet level of the mine. The brave rescuer had to descend down a ladder-way under water from the 900 feet to the 1000 feet level, a distance of 100 feet proceed along the level which was full of water and encumbered with mud and debris for a distance of 300 feet, and then ascend the rise at the end for 30 feet. At first it was thought the imprisoned man could be brought to the surface in a diving dress, but this was found to be impracticable, and a start was made to pump out the water, it being lowered at the rate of six feet per day. Fears were entertained, however, that the air at the end of the tunnel would become vitiated and incapable of sustaining life. The fight for a man’s life under such exceptional circumstances is naturally followed with great interest.

For continuation of Reading Matter see page 4.