DREADFUL EXPLOSION OF A COAL MINE.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 217, 30 September 1873, Page 2

DREADFUL EXPLOSION OF A COAL MINE.

Upwards of Sixty Livks Lost. Ihb spcne of this dreadful calamity, which toolc place on May 13, was the little village of WestviUe, Nova Scotia, about one hundred miles north of Halifax. This village is one of the most extensive mining settlements in the province. The mine is entered by inclinns called slopes, so that the coals are brought out by tramways. In nddition to these slopes there are several slppe» for ventilation. A little after ele\ en o'clock, when the workmen had been some hours in the nine, the firing of a blast of powder, to loosen the coal in a certain bore, set fire to the accumulated gas. The workmen were at onct summoned to aasiet in putting out th« fire, but it gained' headway, spread through the bore, and in a few minutes resulted in a tcrrifcle explosion. Word had been passed to workmen in a lower level to come out as quickly as possible, and messengers had been sent to the t>urfaee for assistance. The call for help wm promptly answered by Mr Dunn, who, with leveval brave v .lunteers, descended the slope for the purpose of rendering assistance. On their way down they patsed ipine workmen making their escape, but bravely held on their course, though conscious of the danger with' which they ran. The last of the escaping workmen had scarcely re&ohed the surface when the first explosion took place. The manager and his companions had probably just readied the level of the slope when this occurred, and their death must have boon instantaneous Deme volumes of smoke and flame issued from the mouth of the slopes, rendering it impossible to approach. A second explosion followed the first niter a short interval, preceded by a low rumbling noise, liie that emitted by a volcano in action, and the next instant columns of flame shot forth from the airshafls, setting fire to the 6urfaco buildings, and thus adding greatly to the horrors of the scene. From that time until daylight next morning the fire continued to rage with fearful violence, gathering fierceness every wpment. TJie sky tor miles around was illuminated as by the lurid glow of "a volcano— the flames belching forth to an immense height. Explosion succeeded explosion throughout the whole of the night, threatening the destruction of the cottages of the miners, and the colliery buildings that' still remained untouched. The following particulars are from an eye witness of the dreuuful scene : — /

Halifax, May 14. i'rom fen o clock last night until daylight thia morning the fire in the Drununond colliery raged with intense fierceness. It increased in violence each moment, and the sky in Hie vicinity of the calamity was illuminated by the flames issuing from the air shaft to a height of nearly 100 feet. All through the night there were explosion* 'at intervals. These were preceded "by rumbling noi»es resembling thunder. The weary w atchers who remoine i around the mound of the pits and air shafts and laboured incessantly to subdue the flames were obliged to fiud shelter in the adjoining works, as the •tones and debris emitted from the pit's mouth by each explosion were scattered around in all directions and threatened destruction or injury to every one within reach. About two o clock this afternoon these explosions were followed by one which for terrific violence and destructive force, dwarfed all the rest. The wooden woik in and about tbo main shaft was instantly destroyed, and stones, wood, and burning embers were projected high into the air. Smoke and flame, together with the horrible noiaes accompanying the exploron, gave the beholders a vivid idea of a volcanic eruption. Those wh • witnessed, describe it as resembling more than •in thing else the mouth of a ciater. The earth for miles around was shaken with the violence of the explosion. The people m Westville and Shillarlon wore much frightened, as they knew not how far the disa tor would extend, or how soon another such explosion would occur. Since two o'clock this morning the lire has continued to burn, the flames issuing from all the slopes and shafts, although uot so intense as lnst evening. Labourers ara now energetically at work filling up the shafts with clay, liy this means they have, so far, succeeded in subduing the flames. Hopes are entertained that the worst danger is over unless another explosion takes place. It was feared that the fire would spread into Aeadia mine, but every precaution having been taken to guard against it, no apprehensions are felt. The wene in and • round tho village «ro eaddtiiipg.' Wrstville and the village at Druintnond colliery are in .mourning ; the shops aro closed and no work is done. McV and. women wander about iv groups, their sod 'countenances 'betolfening tlio bitter grief that had fallen upon them. No pen can coirrctl.i picture the harrowing .scenes of yesterday when the terrible truth was convened to the mourning wives, sisters, and friends of those, so sudden'y hurried into eternity. People rushed frantically to the scene of the dieter. The utmost excitement prevailed, nnrl tor hours it was impossible to ascertain w'io were or who wero not; j n the wine. The Women, many ot whom had lniibnrtH brothem 'and sons worlrtng'in tho collecrj, made tfip air tlifii.mt with their citing, llher tl>r

explosion yesterday four man volunteered to descend down ,4lieoast air ihaft ior the purpose oi attempting a reibue. They were blown up by the eecond explosion which immediaWy followed. One of them, Edward Birnei, «u driven into the air one hundred feet and fell into t'.e woods near by. Uis dead body was picked up this nio-mng. About fortrfive of tho men who are loit were warned , all of whom letr* family to mourn their aad fata. « - It whs the first day in the mines forwme of the unfortunates. Everybody sprake in the highe«t lerma of the bra Terr displayed by the manager, the late Mr Dunn, in deicendini the mine after the first explosion hnd Moriflcing L« life to save the 11t« of others. Much sympathy is expres^d for his bereaved wife. Nearly evory family here hai lort«ome r -latiTe or friend. There are many reasons given to account for tho duuter and the direct cause is no doubt attributable to th©jtoppa Ec E c of work nt the mines on account of the recent atriko and the rapid accumulation of gas in the works as the consequence.