TERRIBLE MINE DISASTER

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10478, 14 October 1912, Page 5

TERRIBLE MINE DISASTER

FIRE IN NORTH MT. LYELL. 93 MINERS ENTOMBED. United Press Association. —By Elec 1 trie Telegraph.—Copyright. Hobart, October 13. A hundred men are entombed in the North Mount Lyell mine as the result of a fire at noon on Saturday at the 700 feet level, which caused the blowing out of the water pump. The flames quickly spread to the chamber-house lined with inflammable wood and stored with oily waste and bagging. The fire spread with alarming quickness, and smoke permeated various workings where 150 rhen were employed; The alarm quickly spread, and a number of men rushed to the fiat and escaped in the, cage, about fifty reaching the surface, assisted by the heroic efforts of some miners who battled through the smoke. News of the outbreak was sent to Queenstown, and doctors and other helpers, arrived, including many men from the Mount Lyell mine. Rescue parties are at work under the direction of the general manager and engineer of the Lyell mine. Compressed air at the rate of seven thousand feet a minute is being pumped into the workings, and other urgent efforts are being made to save the entombed. A telephone message was received from the thousand feet level: “Eor God’s sake give us more air. ’ ’ Dense volumes of smoke are issuing from the main tunnel, A big crowd is round the mine. The last report is that four men have been rescued from the 500 feet level, [which is regarded as about the worst position from the point of smoke. This lends hope that most or all will be rescued. Strenuous rescue work unremittingly continued throughout last night and to-day. Hundreds of miners flocked from the surrounding districts. As one party retired exhausted, many others were ready to replace the men.- They made desperate and heroic efforts to penetrate the deadly fumes arising from the ore. A magnificent spirit and splendid devotion was displayed. The scene at the mine is pathetic, strong men with tear-stained faces standing in groups hoping for the best.

Streams of people- from the surrounding township have gathered at the mine mouth. Divers’ suits haye been obtained, and will be utilised in penetrating the lower levels. Chemists and mine officials hold the view that the men in the bottom levels have a chance to escape, as the tendency of poisonous fumes is to rise, not to descend, though they admit the chance is slender now. It is feared the loss of life will be heavy. The fire is still spreading. Later.

Latest reports are less hopeful. One dead man has been found at the five hundred feet level. The rescuers were then driven back by smoke. When the alarm was given, 72 escaped, but 93 are still entombed. O’Connor, one of the rescued, interviewed, said he was working at the 850 feet .level at crib time on Saturday, when he was startled by cries of “Fire.” The smoke was soon dense, and he was unable to see. He and a number of others groped their way to the cage, and when being drawn up the smoke was so thick that they almost choked. They clung together to prevent themselves falling. He had grave fears for those in the lower levels. Their only chance was to get to a dead end and use the air pumped in.

THE FIRE SUBDUED. MORE HOPE FOE THE ENTOMBED. FEVERISH RESCUERS. Received October 14, 10 a.m. Hobart, October 14. There are indications that the lire has subdued, having burned itself out at the 700 feet level. A lamp and notice board were lowered to the 1100 feet level, but nothing was written thereon, when hauled up. This is regarded as a « opeful sign and indicates that the men are away at the dead ends or places of safety. The light was kept burning which is an additional favourable indication as regards the air in the 'bottom levels. The manager thinks the air there is good and hope is yet entertained for the entombed. A rescued miner, dressed in a diver’s suit, penetrated to the 700 level. There was no sign of any men. The fire was then almost burnt out. The shaft is undamaged. Rescue operations are being feverishly pushed on. ■ Allowing for the four rescued yesterday, the number still missing is 89. Rescuers are working against great odds. The heat is intense ahd smoke and fumes from ores are poisonous and suffocating. Two who penetrated to the 500 level were unable to bring out a dead man, the smoke overcoming them. Attempts to get a connection between numbers two and three levels and so reach the lower workings so far have been futile. Two men named Figg and Scannall made separate efforts to secure this, but were overcome and dragged out. The Government geologist and a large staff of Government inspectors and mine managers are directing operations. The Chairman of the Lyell Company states that the latest information points to the entombed men being away from the main shaft, and probably sheltering in the levels," which aregwide and high. There is plenty of shelter in the stopes and winzes. It is believed there are supplies of good air in the lower levels and compressed air is being pumped in. Smoke from the shaft is decreasing.

FOUR MEN RESCUED. Received October 14, 10~a.m. Hobart, October 14. The Chief Inspectors of Mines in New South Wales and Victoria, who happened to he visiting Lyell to report on the mine in connection with the trouble between the management and 'the men, rendered valuable assistance in rescue work. Mr Sawyer, New South Wales inspector, headed leading gangs, repeatdely descending till overcome. Four men rescued were at the. 400 level, and had not suffered severely.