TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

The explosion at Blantyre, Lanarkshire on Saturday, 21st May, seems to have been of a terrible character. The pit is owned by the Udston Coal Company, and employs a largo number of hands. On Saturday morning the usual complement of men descended the Udston pit ; the actual number being about 80. The colliery has four shafts — an upcast and and downcast shaft to each of the two pits. Just after half-past 9 o'clock a terrible explosion told of a fearful disaster. Immediately afterwards a volume of flame burst from No. 3 pit, and then from all around the district anguish-stricken women and children ran to the pit-head. Three of the shafts were blocked, the cages having become jambed; but in the upcast No. 2 shaft three men were engaged in examining the shaft, and when the report occurred the men at the top commenced to draw up this cage. On reaching the surface one of the three, a lad named M'Gurky, was found to be dead. The others were only slightly injured. The colliery managers at once set about putting this Bhaftin order, and selected a band of workers from the scores of volunteers who pressed forward to offer their services to form a rescue party. The cage was safely lowered to the first part of the workings—the upper or the Ell seam, 118 fathoms from the surface — and here all the men, numbering 41. were found alive, though much overcome by after-damp. With care they were brought to the surface, wrapped in blankets, and sent to their homes. Then the explorers heard calls for help from the middle or main seam. Some of the imprisoned boys were sobbing bitterly, and the rescue party redoubled their efforts to release their comrades from their living tomb. But it was not until some hours had passed that the shaft was sufficiently cleared to enable the descent to be continued. At length the main seam was reached, and the rescuers found 37 men in this seam alive aad four dead. The dead were sent up by the cage, and the scene at the pit-head was then of the most harrowing description. Wives and mothers pressed round the pit, some wringing their hands and sobbing, as one after another of the rescued appeared, and still no sign of their own dear ones. Every one of the saved was eagerly questioned as to the prospects of those below, but the information gleaned failed to furnish a ray of hope. Presently word was sent up the shaft that dead bodies had been found. The first which was brought to the surface was that of James M'Tavish, who was unmarried, and lived with his father. His features looked peaceful, and he must have succumbed immediately to the effects of the after-damp. The body was conveyed in an ambulance to his home. In a little space the cage came up again, and in it was the body of a man named James Richmond. The poor man had been stricken down beside his son, who was brought up along with, his father's corpse. The son was very pale, but after receiving medical aid he recovered slightly. Several other bodies were subsequently brought to the surface. The scene was very heartrending when the volunteer party announced to the waiting women that there was no hope for the men in the Splint seam, where it was conjectured that 70 men were at work. Without loss of time the explorers put forth every effort to reach the Splint or lower seam. Rapidly the mass of obstruction was cleared out of the way, and at 5 o'clock the gallant band had reached the entrance to the workings. Here the pathways were found blocked up by falls of coal and broken hatches. Notwithstanding, however, the almost insuperable difficulties in their way, two of the brave fellows crawled through the debris into the lamp cabin, where they found Alex. M'Lean a young man of 22, lying dead. Other dead men were also seen lying around, and the explorers could only come to the conclusion that the whole 70 men in this part of the workings had succumbed. Still the volunteers persevered undauntedly, working in relays, clearing the road and restoring the ventilation, with the hope that some spark of life might still be found in some of the unconscious ones entombed in the working. Several of the survivors who were in the two upper seams at the time of the explosion have made statements respecting their own experiences, but they do not throw much light on the origin of the explosion, which occurred in the lowest working. An intelligent lad named Alexander M'Lean, who was in the j Ell seam, states that after the explosion he heard men shouting in the main coal bottom. Having an | uncle and cousin working in the , Splint, he was [anxious to know how the men in that part of the workings had fared. So he called to the men whose shouts he had heard, and asked if they could communicate with those in the Splint. Somebody ' shouted an answer, but he could make nothing sf it, owing to the noise caused by the shrieking, crying, and sobbing of the boys in the next seam. The Queen telegraphed through a secretary : — " Her Majesty is greatly distressed to learn of the terrible accident. Kindly express her deep sympathy with the sufferers and their families. The Queen hopes that many more may still be rescued." Mr Ralph Moore telegraphed back that there was no hope of the remainder of the miners being saved.

A Dover solicitor rowed from Dover to Calais in a canoe. He took 12 hours iv crossing.

A BILL FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUSBANDS. Baron Huddleston has recently been declaring once more how abject is the state of man, and how much he stands in need of legislative protection from terrible women. The following measure, which, says the j Helena Independent, was submitted to the Montana Legislature by Representative Buskett, may perhaps I give a practical hint to the English 1 advocates for the better protection of | the defenceless males : — AN ACT Toil THE BETTER PROTECTION OF MARRIED MEN. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Montana : "Whereas, during the present session of the Legislative, sundry, numerous, and diverse Bills have been passed looking to the improvement of the conditions of married women, defining their rights, and clothing them as near as possible with the legal rights and attributes of men, and Whereas, under the laws abovementioned, said married women may sue and be sued, may hold property in their individual right, separate and apart from their husbands ; therefore, be it resolved : Section 1. That hereafter it shall be a misdemeanour for any married woman to purchase a new bonnet, a silk dress, or a soalskin sacque unless she shall first obtain a written order from her husband, and shall further have given him an indemnifying bond for the payment of the same. Section 2. That, in consideration of extra rights, privileges, and immunities heretofore mentioned, it shall hereafter be lawful for any husband to stay out at least three times a week until twelve o'clock at midnight, and if any married woman shall utter any complaints she shall be judged guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be punished by being prohibited from making any comment upon the bonnet of the lady who occupies the front pew in church. Section 3. In addition to the three nights above provided, married men may be permitted to attend lodge on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights, respectively, of each week, and said lodges are hereby permitted to keep open until 2 a.m., and any married woman who shall lock the front door, or leave the baby carriage in the hall, or put out the lights prior to 2 a.m., shall be denied the privilege of gossiping with any other lady for the period of six months. Section 4. Hereafter it shall be unlawful for any married woman to do any of the following' acts more than twice in a day, to wit — 1. To pull out more than one handful of hair at a time. 2. To strike him with a rollingpin more than seventeen times in succession. 3. To throw hot water on him. 4. To throw more than one flatiron at a time. ¦~"~ ¦—¦—•—