DISASTER IN MINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 10

DISASTER IN MINE

A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. ONE HUNDRED KILLED. t MANY OTHERS INJURED. Tho death toll of n dust explosion to-day in mine No. 3, at Dolomite, 16 miles 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. Tho explosion occurred at 2.40 p.m., and was caused by a strip of tramoara 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 tho mine, nearly 1200 ft to tho top of the tipple, where tho scale house was burned. At tho first lift of the incline in the mine,

501't from the mouth, tho coal is assembled to be sent out of the mine. It is known os "the yard, - ’ and upwards of 40 men were at work at tho time at this point. The terrific flame killed these men in a few seconds. Tho detonation followed by aftcrdlamp spread quickly through the mines and those of the 480 men working in tho 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 afterdamp following. Ho then told the men to prepare to die, as there could be no escape. A voice rang out clearly through tho mines, “Come this way to the yard’s and get out,” and there was a shout ns the score beat their way through the heat to safety. , Rescue men gathered at the Dolomite

mines from all parts of tho district. The Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company of tho United States Steel Corporation sent a team of 25 crack rescue men with full paraphernalia to go into the mines after tho dead and injured men. Fire-fighters worked on the fire on tho tipple aa rescue men worked their way into the mines. Scores of negro miners and mine-workers were caught in tho flames and lost their lives.

A more terrific dlust explosion was never before experienced in the history of coalmining in this Slate. llpprosontotives 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 cxploeion and bent every effort toward rescuing the men. Tic fans were not broken down and ventilation was not disturbed. This made it easier for the rescu-

ing work. Much difficulty was experienced in identifying the negro victims of the explosion. It wan 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 began wringing their hands, and 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 kissad.

Before tho bodies were brought out it was deemed best to rope off the mines, as several thousand people from the city had gathered at the place and wore crowding tho mouth of the mines. Deputy ehcriffs were stationed to keep tho crowds back.