DISASTER IN MINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18293, 9 January 1923, Page 7

DISASTER IN MINE.

A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

, ONE HUNDRED KILLED,

MANY OTHERS INJURED:. The ; death, toll 'of. a dust explosion today in mine No. 3, at Dolomite, 16 mile's west of Birmingham, Alabama, belonging to the Woodward Iron Company* will total about 100, when all the bodies have been removed, with 50 to 75 more or less injured, telegraphed the Birmingham.correspondent of a New York paper "on November 22. ''•■'

The explosion occurred at 2.40 p.m., and was caused by a trip of tramcars breaking loose on the incline and .dashing back into the mine, breaking some high tension wires, and igniting dust.

A terrific flame was started and shot out of the mine, nearly 1200 ft. to the top of the tipple, where the scale house was burned. . ~ '

At the first'lift of the incline in the mine, 50ft. from the mouth, the coal is assembled to be sent out of the mine. It is known as "the yard," and upwards of 40 men were at work at. the time at. point. The terrific flame killed these men j in a few secondo. ' '

The detonation followed by after damp spread quickly through '. the mines and those of the 480 men working in the place who were not stricken down instantly began groping their way to safety. A. D. Jones led 20 men to a place of safety,, but found after damp following. He then told the men to prepare to die; j as there could be no-escape. A voice rang out ' clearly, through the mines, •. " Come this way to the yards and get out,'' and there was a shout as the score beat their way through the heat to safety. v _ ! Rescue men gathered 'at the Dolomite mines from all parts of the district. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and ; Railroad Company of'.the United States Steel Corporation sent a team of 25 crack rescue men with full ■-". paraphernalia to go' into the mines after the dead and injured men. Fire-fighters worked on the fire on the tipple as rescue men worked their way into the mines. : : :

Scores of negro miners add. mineworkers were caught In the . flames- and lost their lives. .-

.A more terrific dust explosion was never before experienced in the history of. coalmining in . this State. Representatives of the United States - Bureau ,of Mines, the State Mine Inspector and assistants and other officials in the mining industry ■ assembled within: a few hours after the announcement of the explosion and bent every effort toward rescuing the men. The fans were not broken down and'' ventilation was' not disturbed. This made : it easier for the rescuing work. .;;; Muoh\ difficulty was experienced in identifying the negro victims of the explosion. It : was after ; nine ' o'clock, before the first of, the dead bodies were, brought out.;;;■■;:. ■;;': Men started fighting ; the flames'• on the tipple,. ; - : while : women and' children be- ! gan wringing their ; handsand. at 'the top ,'of their voices cried for loved ones' in the mines. As men would come out of the; earth and were recognised they, - were hugged and kissed. - ;. '■' Before the bodies were ':brought: out it was deemed best to v rope off the mines, as several thousand people from the cityhad gathered at the place and -: -were crowding the mouth of -the mine 3. : Deputy sheriffs were stationed to keep the crowds back. ;■/'..;"' •''.■ ■'■.< ■'-> '■ ; -''-.^ ; '': -' : - ■'V^''■':''