COLLAPSE OF A MINE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 6349, 24 June 1889, Page 2

COLLAPSE OF A MINE.

Number ol Men Entombed* (By Cable—Press Association), Sydney, Juno 22. Great excitement has been caused hero owing to tho collapse of the roof of a company s coal mine near Nowcnstle, So far as is known at present 14 of the minors who were entombed have been rescued, and as tho shouts of others can ■ho hoard there is a probability of all being rescued alive. The collapse is believed to have been caused by the removal of pillars in the workings about to be abandoned, Al the mouth or tho inino the ncono was most heart-rending, a hirgc number of women and children and friends of the entombed miners surrounded tho pit, and in agony of sixpence awaited tidings of those dear to them. Tho information that has reached horo gives only pcant details. Every effort is being made to recover tho others. Further Particulars. Danger Anticipated Fourteen Men Still EntombedNewcastle, June 2,'5. Tho scene of tho disaster whoro tho roof of tho mine collapsed is tho Glcbo Pit, about two miles distant from tho city. Prom forty to fifty miners were engaged removing the pillars which support the roof when it collapsed. For some time unpleasant noises and strange rumblings like murium'.-: of ;m earthquake have been heard, and the impression got abroad that ;i portion of tho mine was likely to subside, Tho men held :i meeting early in the month to discuss tho danger, many men wove of opinion that there was no reason or cause for alarm, and others that; tho unusual noises warranted some stops being taken for their safety. Ultimately it was decided that a deputation should wait on the manager of the Colliery and impress upon him the nccersity for placing rapper wire in different districts to warn miners of any immediate danger. On Saturday morning a fall of coal accompanied the noises which frightened some of the men working in tho mine and caused them to leave the place, but on the advice of old and experienced miners they returned to work. The crisis was reached at nine o'clock on Saturday vnorniug when there was a deafening and bewildering roar resembling a heavy canonade, blasts of air displaced by each fall rushed with terrific force and the stoppings were! overthrown, all lights were extinguished and everything was in a state of chaos. Numbers of men who were below had miracalous escapes, nothing is authens ticatally known as to the actual number imprisoned, but it is believed to have been twentyfive, of these eleven have been rescued. Kelief parties are now working continuously to rescue the remainder. Thousands of persons are assembled at the pit mouth waiting to hear news of the missing men.