ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 68, 22 March 1898, Page 5

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS

ALL HOPE OP SAVING LIFE ABAN-

DONED

ONE BEAD BODY RECOVERED.

SCENES OF ANGUISH.

SYDNEY, this day.

While the roofing and brick work of the air shaft of the Dudley Mine wen; lifted bodily and thrown in all directions, the machinery was not damaged. The simultaneous explosion of the main shaft sent the debris a * quarter of a mile away and destroyed the winding gear.

Deputies and others, who were constantly descending the pit did not notice any extraordinary smell of gas, and not the slightest danger was apprehended.

After the explosion gas fumes poured out for some time.

After repairs to the cage guides were effectedrthe first exploring party consisting of the Senior Inspector of Collieries,' the manager of the Dudley mine, and the managers of two adjacent mines, descended. After getting down a couple of hundred feet they had to return owing to after damp.

Later, when ventilation improved, they got below and found the main workings blocked with debris. The pumping machinery at the bottom of the shaft, weighing many tons, was completely wrenched from its bearing's and capsized by the force of the explosion. Late in the afternoon the first working party descended to remove the debris and endeavour to get at the entombed miners. It was found that the stoppings used for directing the current of air from the ventilating shaft had been carried away by the explosion, thus interfering seriously with the ventilation of the workings. When this state of affairs was found to exist, all hopes of finding any of the men alive were abandoned. Owing to the destruction of the stoppings, the air produced by the fan passed out without circulating- through the mine. This hampers the search party, who have to brattice as they proceed. The anguish displayed by people assembled round the pit mouth during the afternoon and last niglit was intense. The women bore the trial bravely. About fifty relatives of the entombed men, with a score of sjrmpathisers r maintained sad watch while the search, parties worked unceasingly. About ten o'clock the body of Dorritty was discovered two hundred yards from the bottom of the pit. The remains were much charred anc" mutilated. Deceased must have been in the vicinity of the explosion and carried some distance along the workings. The bones in the body were badly broken. The accumulation of foul gas must be very rapid, due to some unknown cause. The gas which, caused ;the

explosion was carbonated hydrogen. • Early this morning the exploring parties reported that the mine was unsafe, the roof drives showing signs of caving in. Another effort was to be made af| G a.m. ' ;