February 13, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

353

answer for 9 volts with any other bell until he had an
opportunity of testing the bell. Proceeding, he said that
he had strongly advised the use of alternating currents as
the safest method. He would stake his reputation upon
advising the men at Senghenydd that the conditions were
safe electrically.

Dr. Thornton, professor of electrical engineering at the
Armstrong College, Newcastle, said the general conclusion
he had come to was that firedamp was about twice as
difficult to ignite as house gas. By the use of a by-pass the
danger could be reduced to a negligible quantity. He
could, in fact, reduce it to nothing, but that would take
more power than was desirable. The best method left a
small spark which would not ignite. By taking 10 per cent,
in the by-pass—which was the quantity he advocated—the
ringing of the bell would not be affected in the least.
There were quite big sparks, even flashes, which would not
explode the most inflammable mixture, and the eye was no
guide. Witness agreed that Regulation 132 (1) fully met
the case for safety. Prevent open sparking, and it would
be perfectly safe. Two per cent, of gas united with coaldust
was highly inflammable. He had ignited coaldust with only
per cent, of gas, but the risk was remote and difficult with
less than 10 volts.

Questioned by Mr. W. P. Nicholas, witness said electric
signalling would be absolutely safe if open sparking were
prohibited, but that would mean altering the apparatus in
all the coalmines in the country. With a voltage of 10
there was a condition of danger in a gassy mine. He knew
of pits where the electrical signalling system had been
abandoned in favour of the old knocking system. He would,
however, prefer electrical signalling, with a provision for
avoiding induction.

Evidence was given on the following day by Mr. Robert
Nelson, H.M. electrical inspector of mines, who spoke of
his inspection of the apparatus on December 4 last.
Witness was satisfied from the evidence of Mr. Wadden
and Mr. Schielbach that the pressure in the battery at the
top of the hard heading never exceeded 9 volts. Mr.
Sparkes, testing by another method, said there were over
10 volts. The witness explained that the importance was
that they did undoubtedly get an ignition under Seng-
henydd conditions with 13 i volts. It was possible, though
perhaps not probable, that the current might have been
flowing across the wires and so exceeded the 9 volts, so
any estimate of the strength of the cells, as taken after the
explosion, would be qualified by that possibility. In the
New Tredegar experiments they did not succeed in getting
an ignition with the conditions which he was perfectly
satisfied were the actual conditions at Senghenydd. Witness
held, however, that they had not sufficient evidence to show
that 9 volts was beyond danger, and the margin of safety
between 9 volts and 13| volts was altogether inadequate.

Witness said that there might be a fault in the bell
which would induce dangerous conditions or a breakdown
in the installation, which would give a heavier current on
the bell, which would without question cause an ignition of
gas. His view was emphatically that in parts of a mine
where naked lights were prohibited the electrical apparatus
should be completely closed, so that open sparking would
be impossible. That was the object of the regulations,
and the regulations were designed with that purpose.
The Senghenydd apparatus was strictly in conformity with
the old regulations, but their experiments proved that the
old regulations were not stringent enough. They reasonably
ask that the exemption should be withdrawn, because the
old regulation had been proved to be defective and not
sufficiently stringent.

He was not satisfied that the conditions at New Tredegar
were the same as at Senghenydd. They got ignitions with
13| volts twice in 20 minutes—not readily. He was sure
that with longer tests they would get ignitions with a
lower voltage. Witness agreed that if the bells were
ringing when the explorers got into certain districts this
would considerably diminish the voltage, and this would
have to be set against any recovery through being out of
use. Witness could not say to what extent cells would
recover. He would be surprised to hear that a voltage of
9 would recover to 11’5.

Witness described an experiment made to show whether
paper—such as that found in the lamp chimney at the
locking cabin—would be scorched at the point of origin.
The paper was put in the upper part of a lamp, which was
placed in a chamber containing gas. The gas was then
ignited by a taper. The general impression was that there
was no sign of burning, but witness saw distinct signs of
burning. He agreed that this paper had a frayed edge,
unlike the piece found in the locking station, and that it
was the frayed edge that was scorched. There were two
experiments, and witness would call them both slow
explosions. It was, he agreed, the second that caused the
scorching.

In reply to Mr. Smillie, witness said the signalling
apparatus had now been taken out of the Senghenydd pit,
and if put in again would, he thought, be regarded as new
apparatus under the regulations. Under the rules, if the
inspector of mines apprehended danger from sparking, he
would be entitled to direct the management to put in
insulated wires to prevent sparking. If the owners did not
agree, it would be settled by arbitration.

Startling Admissions.

On Monday some of the officials who had given evidence
at the coroner’s inquest, were under examination.

Richard Davies said he was carrying out his duties as
deputy in the South Pretoria district on the night of
October 13. In several places gas was found, and they were
marked off. He made also the day fireman’s examination
on the morning of October 14, the day of the explosion. He
should have returned to the bank at 4 a.m., but he did not
come up the pit until 6 a.m. His report was in the following
terms:—“ 14/10/13. District No. 2, South Pretoria. Shift—
Day Shift. Noxious or inflammable gases—Diluted blower
Benjamin Heading, Evan Jones, A. Morgan, Musty, and
Stephens; a slight cap on William Davies’s and James
Davies’s and William Williams’s, which is crossed off. State
of ventilation—Good condition; of roof and sides—In
working order. Supply of timber in working places—
Sufficient. General safety—All safe except the above places.
Examination commenced 3.30 a.m., and completed 5.30.
Signed—Richard Davies.”

Mr. Nicholas directed attention to the evidence of Davies
at the inquest, and described certain statements now made
as “ new matter.” Witness said that when he came to the
end of his district, he did not ask the other fireman what was
the condition of his district. He looked at his report book.

The Commissioner observed that he was satisfied it was a
bad system that a night fireman should have to do a day
fireman’s shift. The man was tired at the end of his own
shift and was liable to commit a breach of the Act. He
thought that was quite clear.

Mr. Smillie called attention to a phrase which had fallen
from Davies as to his having found “ an explosive mixture
in William Williams’s place,” and pointed out that there was
no such entry made in witness’s book. Witness admitted
that an explosive mixture might be reported as a slight
cap. He himself had never reported having found an
explosive mixture. He had once come across an explosive
mixture in his own district other than on that night, but
did not enter it as such. On that morning he reported the
cap and diluted blower, and the overman went in after their
conversation.

Other firemen examined were Morris Roberts, who
admitted that on two occasions some time since he failed
to report “ explosive mixtures ” as such; John Skym, and
Ben Thomas.

The Commissioner put it to Thomas that the entry as to
statutory examination of workings did not agree with the
periods which the firemen themselves alleged were occupied
in the carrying out of the work. If the time limit had been
observed why not say so ? Thomas said it was a mistake.

Dr. James, of Senghenydd, who, with his partner, Dr.
Donaldson, examined 421 of the bodies, described the cause
of death as burns, injuries probably from falls, and suffoca-
tion. The vast majority of those who had been suffocated
died from carbon monoxide poisoning. A few died from
carbonic acid poisoning. Not one was recognised by the
features, which were, in every instance, blackened. Some
were badly mutilated, but very few. He did not think the
heat could have been very prolonged or the clothing would
have been more damaged. The heat must have been
momentary, but the explosive force was very great.

Mr. Shaw (manager) informed the court that 427 bodies
had been recovered and 12 were still unaccounted for. Six
of those brought up belonged to Cardiff and were not
included in Dr. James’s statement.

On Tuesday, William Thornton, a miner employed
in the Aberystwyth portion of the Mafeking district,
said he was not in the mine on the day of the explosion,
October 14, but he was there on the 13th, and for
some time previously he had had from time to time
conversations with his mates as to the condition of the
roads in respect of gas. It was usually said: .“We are
going to have something happen here unless we are careful.”
The fireman had cautioned them as to the use of lamps. He
had known accumulations of gas 15 yards from the face in
his own working place and had spoken of this to one of the
firemen, Fredk. Williams, now dead. He and his mates had
been told to “ brush away ” or “ waft away ” gas.

Replying to questions, Thornton went on to describe
certain operations carried out in his district by a miner
called “ Good Boy Dick,” who lost his life in the explosion.
This man was driving a horse through into some old work-
ings. He was working in gas, and had a fireman and
overman with him. He (Thornton) saw gas coming through
this hole the size of a man’s head under pressure from the
other side. Such was the size of the hole on October 13, but
after the explosion it was large enough for a man to creep
through. He had seen one of the deputies using a lamp
in this place in such a way as to occasion witness to
remark, “You will play with it until it bites you.”
He had never complained to the management. He might
have been thrashed for it; in other words, it might have
been the worse for him. After the last explosion he was
idle 11 weeks. After the occurrence, before the exploration
work bad been very far advanced, he asserted that the
bodies of the fireman and overman who were with “ Good
Boy Dick ” would be found in the locality he had indicated.
He repeated that he did not report what he had seen in the
workings to the fireman and overman. He thought it was
their place to report to the manager.

Mr. Lewis informed the court that in the explosion in
1901 the damage to the mine was so great that many of the
men could not get back for some weeks. He did not under-
stand that Thornton made any complaint about the man-
agement of the mine on the occasion. Witness said he told
the deputy to speak to the manager at that time. He and
his mates carried out their tools because of the firing of
holes after the first explosion. He had then been at work
some time.

Mr. Kenshole then elicited from Thornton that he had
lost places in the mine through drink, but had been put
back again by the manager on his promising amendment.

Mr. James Winstone, vice-president of the South Wales
Miners’ Federation, gave evidence as to his having taken a
statement from Thornton in substantial agreement with
his sworn testimony. He also spoke as to his inspection of
the mine after the explosion. He was not satisfied with
the system of mines inspection, and the men were losing
confidence because it had been decided in a recent case that
no inspector was bound to produce before a judge any
report made by him without the express authority of the
Secretary of State.

The Commissioner said this matter did not come within
the terms of reference.

Strange Occurrence at Another Colliery.

On Wednesday the Commissioner called two witnesses from
the Powell Duffryn Company’s Lletty Shenkin Colliery,
Cwmbach, to speak of an extraordinary occurrence there on
Tuesday, February 3.

Richard Evans, overman at the Lletty Shenkin Pit, said
he was working on the main intake road of the Seven-foot
seam on February 3. A large fall had occurred on the
previous Saturday, and they were working on this. Witness
heard something starting from the roof, and withdrew the
men to the roadway. Witness heard a sudden crash, and
the whole of the roof at that part fell, and as soon as the
fall came in contact witness saw a light blue flame about
3 ft. in length. In the operations iron tan gers were in use.
Witness could not say if it was with these that the fall
came in contact. There was no noise accompanying the
flash, and no signs of burning, nor did witness smell any-
thing, he being on the intake side.

Joseph Lloyd, fireman at the same pit, who was inside the
fall, spoke of seeing bright yellow sparks from a smaller fall
following that of which the previous witness spoke. After
the sparks witness noticed a kind of smoke and a smell like
that of burnt powder. No explosive, however, was used at
this point. He tested for gas, but found none. He had seen
sparks from electrical signalling wires, but the sparks in
this case were bigger and brighter, and not quite the same
colour.

The Rescue Operations.

Mr. Edward Thorne, superintendent of the Rhondda
rescue station, described his experiences at the disaster. He
said it would have been difficult to get in with the rescue
apparatus because the fumes were so thick they could not see.
On the second day one of his men collapsed, but he had
been on duty for many hours. Another of his men, one of
the strongest and most fit, slipped and fell and had to be
rescued. His mouthpiece had been knocked out of place,
and for about two minutes he was breathing the fumes. In
witness’s opinion it would be well for apparatus to be kept
at the collieries if collieries were a long distance from the
rescue station, but they should be in charge of an expert
and subjected to frequent examinations. In no instance at
Senghenydd did he allow his men to go beyond 230 yards
from the base.

Miner’s Agent’s Theory.

Mr. James Winstone was then recalled. He said he was
of opinion that the explosion originated at not a very great
distance from the end of the arching of the main west
intake, and that there must have been another explosion in
the Mafeking hard heading. It was difficult to determine
how it originated, but there must have been some friction
which set up fire which caught the gas in the large crevices
overhead, possibly from a tail rope or from a tram off the
road. He thought there should be more arching. He dis-
approved of the system of cogging and of haulage engines
in the return. He would prefer the endless-rope to the
main-and-tail, for machinery prod need an enormous amount
of sparks, and in no circumstances should there be a naked
light in the gassy mines of South Wales. It was desirable
that the collieries should be zoned. Mr. Winstone also
urged that there should be a period of stoppage for cooling
the mines, and that plans of the workings should be placed
at the pithead. It should be made imperative for all
colliery companies to carry through their shaft a sufficient
supply of water to fight fires. He was opposed to open
signalling wires, and thought it would be madness to allow
men to go down unless instructed in the use of safety
lamps. Firemen should be elected by the workmen, and
paid by a tax on the industry or on mining royalties, the
revenue to form a fund controlled, say, by the Miners’
Federation.

Mr. Hubert Jenkins, miners’ agent, said he thought it
possible the fire might have preceded the explosion, and
that the burning timber created intense heat, stirring up
the fine coaldust and the gas. This might have been the
origin of the explosion and that would account for the
timbers being on fire after the explosion.