THE ENTOMBED MINERS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7357, 9 July 1889, Page 5

THE ENTOMBED MINERS.

INCIDENTS OF THE SEABCH. A PATHETIC STOBY, [from oub corkbspondeht.J [By Tblbgrapr from th« Bluff.] SYDNEY, July 2. The search parity at the Glebe Colliery at Newcastle hare been actively engaged in the search for the bodies of the eleven miners entombed. This morning, at about half-past eight, they found Pettifs body at a spot 6ft beyond the crosscut on the crosscut plat. The body was carefully extricated from the fallen debris, coffined in the drive, and brought to the surface at 10 a.m. amidst a scene of great excitement. The position of Pettit's body showed that he Lad been in the act of making his escape when a second crash came. Decomposition was so far gone that it was impossible to identify the body by the features, but odd boots, such as Pettit had been known to wear on account of a sore foot were found on the body. The rescue party have suspended operation for the present. Loud rumbling noises are still being heard in the mine. In the course of the operations of the rescue party a very grim ceremony has been performed, which may be described as " smelling for the dead." Every few feet that the drive advances the men stretch a canvas over the face, and secure it at each corner. Ihis is to shut out the air that sets up from the entrance to the drive, and which the men believe would prevent them scenting any remains, human or animal, that they might be approaching. One of the working party then puts his head behind this canvas screen and endeavors to detect any odour that may exude through the fissures of the rock. To show how entirely hopeless the miners themselves are of rescaing any of their comrades alive, three coffins were sent below days ago, -and remain there awaiting the first bodies recovered. At the pit's mouth there have been no wailing and lamentation since the actual occurrence of the disaster, but one pathetic sight is to be witnessed day after day. Each morning three women, whose husbands are among the unfortunates entombed, arrive at the spot with their children, whom they have already dressed in black. They bring with them flowers and baskets containing their lunch, and there they remain until nightfall seated upon a log, and gazing down the pife mouth. As the men who have formed the shift below reach the surface the first to accost them are these three patient watchers, who ply them with inquiries aa to the progress of the work, and receive always the same cheerless reply. The wife of one of the entombed men has a conviction that her husband will turn up in safety, as he has been in several mining accidents before, and it is impossible as yet to make her realise the truth. She has gone so far as to assure her children of their father's return shortly, and they run out to meet the clergyman as he goes his rounds, and inform him that "Dad has not come back yet." Lord Carrington personally visited the mine lasttweek, and remained below for nearly a couple of hours, afterwards paying visits to the bereaved families. It was noticeable that as he drove away the men refrained from cheering him, but simply lifted their hats silently in farewell.