TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

Evening Star, Issue 5588, 4 February 1881, Page 2

TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

I LOSS OE EIGHTY-NINE LIVES. 1 The Rhondda Valley? long and unenviably notorious for its catastrophes, has once more been the socno of a terrible explosion, by which a IrfTge number of lives have been sacrificed. The disaster occurred in the Pcnygraig Collieries, the property of Messrs Morgan and Rowlands, who reside in the neighborhood. Tho collieries wore only opened twelve months ago, and consequently tho workings were 1 comparatively new, and in good condition. There are two shafts, about 1,80,0 yards apart, and steam coal is worked from both pits, The one pit is 413 yards deep, and the other 415 yards. The apaco between the two pits has been bored through, and a connection made between them, and the ventilating fan is at the upper pit. The 4ft seam has not been reached very long. Prior to its being gauged the upper measures were worked, ventilation being secured by means Of a huge brattice several tons in weight. This brattice (and it is important to bear this fact m mind) was not removed when the lower measures were opened. About seven o’clock on December 9 over ninety men descended to work the night shift, and about half-pastone o’clock next morning tho people in the village of Dinas, which stands on the side of a hill in the proximity of the pit, were startled from their beds by a tremendous report, and the hom.es, which are strongly built of stone, wore shaken as though by an earthquake. From the position in whion the colliers were afterwards found (in masses close together) it is conjectured that at the time of the explosion the men had stopped work to partake of food. Proprietors, managers, and crowds of people were soon upon the spot, and it was discovered that a fearful explosion of gas had taken place below. The gear, trams, and various machinery incidental to colliery working wore found to have been dashed about in every direction, indicating beyond doubt that the force cf the explosion had been terrific in the extreme. The volumes of smoke which ascended prevented anyone from descending for several hours. About seven o’clock a party of six, composed principally of colliery proprietors in the neighborhood, succeeded m descending, and explored the workings for ajmut two hours, when they returned to the surface very much exhausted, They 'discovered seven dead bodies, but they did not despair of some men in the pits being found alive. A descent was presently effected in the lower pit, Four men climbed up to where they heard the rescuers’ voices echoing, and there were brought up to the surface Themes Morris, David Jenkins, John H. Evans, and David Maroney. AU are colliers, and had been working just at the bottom of the lower pit when the explosion happened. They said that they heard the ominous report and saw the brattice fall. They guessed at once what had happened, but did not rua away. They perceived that they were favorably Eiituited for rescue, and remained where they were, Of course they wore greatly alarmed, and had waited anxiously for tiding? and a helping hand from tho surface. All day cn December 11 a little boy haunted the dead-house in search of bin father, but could not recognise him among the dead. The policemen were very kind to him, and allowed him to wander in and out of the building, examining and re-examining the outstretched forms. Suddenly thp little fellow remembered that his father fted some new articles of leather about his be went down the pit. One of the bedms was again closely scrutinised, and tho piece, of apparel, on being rubbed, was found to be made of now leather. This constituted indubitable evidence of identity. On being told the body was that of his father the little follow cried piteously, and was taken heme disconsolate. In another case, the mother of Evan Reece, on discovering him could only be restrained from embracing the remains in a paroxysm of grief by the exerciso of kindly force. In addition to the four men mentioned above, a fifth, named Morgan, an old man of sixty-nine years, ha* bean elite A’cred, and from statements made !>y mombjrs of the cearoh party, he could not have been conscious of »ll that transpired during bta terrible entombment. Morgan was found in a heading to tho right cf the main gangway, and between two falls. He must hav? been in the pit thirty-six hours. After hi i rescue ho narrated how he had onlj ten yards of space ; Inw he ran baekwardi t iid forwards, shouting continuously for help; how he felt the form of a dead man whose body was turning cold; how he searched leng and laboriously for his jug of wßer and bis bag of victuals; how he gavj up all hope and was prepared to die; and how at last he saw the welcome lights of the explorers, hailed them, and was rescued,

But the explorers think Morgan slept a portion of the time ; they state that they n - ,u4 have passed the place of his confinement dozens of Dimes, swd v.'i'.oii r »so .v>:ro<i Morgan quickly said “ I'-Fs bsvj some of that light here.” “ Well, how long have y.JU been hero?” he was a;:ked, and he replied ‘‘Since sev<n o'clock i«s« night, he having lost the conhciauom*.! of sc entiie night. Practical men give. £a..c countenance to the view that the expl sion bad its origin in an accident which occurred three days previously. On December G there was au over-winding accident at the upcast sh i ff •>, aud the cage fell, causing a considerable amount of damage. It is thought that the air course, by displacement of “the covers,” was thus interrupted, and it is certain that the fan ceased to be operative, as the force of the concussion burst the steam pipes through which it was worked. The effect of this ondition of things, it is argued, would be the admission of fresh both shafts, and fresh air being of greHpr density than the noxious gaaea, would enec'ually prevent their expulsion from the mine. If this theory is tenable, from December G to 9 gas was accumulating, and a stray shot might load to its ignition.