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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th August 1845, Edition 2 of 4, Page 6, EXPLOSION AT JARROW COLLIERY. A dreadful...

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      ' T Sv Evidentl Inated Iu The West F6 ^_...

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      T He Letters Of A Sexagekaruk To Uls Son

      t HE LETTERS OF A SEXAGEKARUK TO UlS SON

      1 ETTEB I . EUsatisfac & c * at his sou's a-iop & m of the Charter , < fce . - Si Smi So . v , —It is seldom that there is any sympathy between youth and age wita respect iopolrieal opinions . Even where there is the greatest harmony of sentiment on most other subjects , there is often a total want of it on this . There are many ways by which this may bi accounted for ; but in the case of persons placed ia those relations in which we stand to each other , it axues from the solicitude of a father regarding liis sou's prospects and success iu life , combined with a knowledge of the fact that in early life our political views are often of a liberal cast , and tbat youth is liable to be betrayed into unseasonable expression and maintenance of them .

      In my young days there was so much danger in certain liens aud conduct of a political character , ' not-only to worldly prospects , but to the enjoyment of the ordinary blessings aud advantages of home and friendship—certain opinions were so connected with proscription , expatriation , and death itself , tbat even now , when the fear of these things has in a great measure " parsed away , a parent of ordinary solicitude must still regard the inclinations of Ms son , in this respect , with a degree of apprehension . - Belying en your prudence , however , as to how you allow your opinions to influence your conduct , I may state that your profession of political faith has , to a great extent ; my approval .

      Though 1 have long ceased to take any active interest in political affairs , 1 am by no means an indifferent observer of what is going on in the world . It was not , as you know , any part of my parental practice to introduce political topics , much less to inculcate political doctrines in my femily , conceiving it proper to leave my children to a free choice in this , as in all other matters , after having done all that a father legitimately hat do—given them that education , and trained them in those habits of reflection which my means and opportunity permitted ; but 1 do not , on that account , now feel the less anxiously concerning yonr views on questions of public interest .

      I am pleased with your letter , as furnishing evidence that you do not class me among those narrow-minded hum-drum sort of persons who thick that the adoption of political views on the part of a son should be a matter of supreme indifference to a parent , or among those who deny the right of a young man to form or hold such opinions . It is the duty of every man , however humble ia rank or condition , to form decided views in reference to those matters which affect the interest and well-being of the community , as soon as be becomes a free member of it , and takes upon him those other duties and responsibilities ofasocial character , which are moreimperative only "because their necessity is more obvious and ordinary , and because the policy of Government in withholding or denying political power to the people , has invested such matters with a veil of mystery . It is as much the business of a young man to form political opinions as to learn a j trade or profession . !

      lam also glad to perceive that you attach a proper value to principles , and that you can distinguish between an agitation for these and an agitation for objects on which they are to no extent involved . Your adoption of the Charter is precisely what I was prepared to expect ; and knowing as you do the nature of say own predilections , you will not be surprised to hear that it has given me satisfaction . But I do not agree with you on many minor points ; and your views , in reference to the character and sources of certain movements and events , are widely at variance with my own . But this is not much to be wondered at There are two special reasons why an old and a young man , vr-iose political opinions , though harmonising wonderfully on simple abstract points , should assume a different complexion as regards the character and tendency of certain questions and current topics of public interest —& e degree of success likely to attend their agitation , aad the amount of good , success is calculated to effect . ,

      The first reason is to be found in the universal characteristic'' of the two periods of life . Youth is enthusiastic , sanguine , and hopeful : age , reflective , sober , unimaginative , and often , though seldom , without good reason , digtrustful ; and how , under the influence of these opposite and prevailing characteristic * , can they think and feel alike in reference to such matters i But another reason it to be found in the old man ' s enlarged experience of fife . Ah , my dear Jon , under the stern revision of this unirapa & siotitd chronicler , who walks calmly and reverently by tile side of time , taking note of all his doings , and treasuring the results of his unfaltering progress , our views Of men and things undergo wonderful change . How many hopes and visions , which ardent feeling created and youth cherished , are dashed and dissipated when the medium is removed which clothes with dazzling bright . oess all youth ' s pictures .

      Experience makes sad havoc of our early impressions . It may be compared to a stern Iconoclast , who strikes dawn the idols of our youthful hearts , and ruthlessly strips them of the attributes which so endeared them to us . I have a strong distrust of most of the plans of political and social amelioration which of late years have attracted various degrees of interest , and a mean opinion of their authors . A striking proof of their unsoundness is their palpable unproductiveness . I see the condition of the people getting daily worse , and no adequate or spirited efforts malting—no proper direction of resources—and , with liuuied exception , no men possessing qualities capable of . stirring the people either to reflection or action . Tins comes of indulging too many projects . Why not let all plans alone till you acquire the power to torn them to advantage—till you have procured the Charter . It is veil enough to discuss them , but not to allow them to encross attention or distract effort .

      I would not , however , hare you to think that I am Aopeless of human progress , or tbat I hare not even latterly observed a silent , though slow and reluctant , recog . aition of the ultimate and great ends of social combination , and of true and rational principles of government ; bat I would have you to place little reliance upon the nostrums of certain political speculators , and to attach email importance to any plan of remote utility , aud which can neither be very safe , practicable , or effective , until that power is obtained which is essential to the efficiency of ail projects of extensive application , or great and national benefit . The people ' s attention and efforts should be dire- ; ted to procure the practical recognition of great principles , which are alone enduring , and which will engross human interest when many of the vagaries which at present amuse the public mind have ceased to be attractive .

      I am not impatient , however , and have too much experience to doubt that the Charter will soon become the object of united if not exclusive effort . The supuosed loll ia Us agitation is more in appearance than reality . The Charter is an embodiment of grand principles ; it represents and embraces a change so extensive and complete as to mark an era in political progress ; and , therefore , Eke all movements of similar magnitude in the history of the tv . rld , it will be subject to many apparent lulls- but it « an never become rotrogressiv *—it will hold whatever it lias sained , and continue to receive fresh accessions of attention from time to time , until it becomes the object of public interest , anxiety , and effort .

      It is n-ell , and a proof of its genuine character , that the agitation for the Charter is marked by none of the characteristics which distinguish movements for lesser object * . It cannot proceed by partial or half coursei . Tbe Charter must be acknowledged and adopted in its omplei ' -ness , or not at all . Instalment—that vile word which Whig agitators have borrowed from the peddlars \ eitk wl ; om they are identified , and which indeed is quite « xpTe « - ; ee of all their agitations and objects—has no XBeAmne when applied to the Charter , and , therefore , it is not to be expected that it will receive that transient attention which is accorded to the many ephemeral pro-Jacts which start up and are disposed of one way cr annfher in less time than suffices for the due considerationof objects of actual public import .

      It should not be lost sight of that the labouring claasss ansot be kept at the point of tension continuously . Their habits and pursuits r-nder this impracticable , but Ch €££ is no ground for believing that Ihey have lost faith xa ttie only remedy for the varied evils which oppress then , or that they have lost heart or hope iu the struggle ft > acquire possession of the only levor which can be used frith a regenerative effect . With r , gpect to the multifarious Koelmms which of lato jeorfi have been put forth with the view of benefiting tiie people—of elevating their moral and social condition , as tbe cant phraseology of the day goes—a consideration of these wiil form the scope and subject matter of future letters . " - In the meantime , a » your correspondence gives tae great pleasure , I desire yon will prepare yourself fur its continuance . Yours , affectionately , Jacob Tbbitt .

      To The United Trades Asd Yforklsg Classe...

      TO THE UNITED TRADES ASD YfORKlSG CLASSES . 3 fr . Eorroa , —Allow me , through the ' medium * of yont -columns , to call public attention to a few observations , which , at this early period of the existence of tiie United Teides Association , may not be out of place . It hag long been desirable that « jme national coopecsiire system should be established amongst the THttJang' classes whereby they could command a fair 4 ay * s wage for a fair day ' r work . This important objw : t is now accomplished , and forms in itself one of the most Dobte featuro in the history of Trades' Unions . Hitherto our endeavours to obtain anything ltko a Just ^ enumera tion for our labour ha * been but too often unsuccessful We have had two powerful enemies to contend with—capital and competition . To our want of the ooe , aud the evil influence of the other , we may . fairly sttnbute our preient deplora ble condition .

      Themem-* berc « f the Association being conscious of the evil , have ifterefcre determined those obstacles shall no longer « J « ndin ' theway toprosperiry , but by n wise . dLscrirtina tioaaau application of their funds , to j > sta . blish themselws in agriculture aud manufactures / and thus render powerless those evils of which we hai-eiblon ^ and Wtteriv fcafi « o complain . Hitherto our endeavours for the enuuscipaiion of labour lias been but sectional ; audit ¦ oc ^ reraai ns for the men of England , of Ireland , and ol Scwlan . 1 to snywhetht . - we shall try what we can do nafionallr . i « Oo maa { . ^ ^ ^ ^ S ' -TTth . t K ChieYCd * thefew - - te * -ae 5 ifB ^ -- ' . ^ ss l ~< TZ ^ 'zrszr £ 3 ¦^ S ^™ = Sss ; sS

      It is under thoseiimpressionsthatl write , and that the boily to which 1 belong have determined , not only to unite in their efforts , but to call upon the millions to rally around the standard that is now unfurled . The objects of the Association are , first , to give employment to that surplus labour that abounds , both in our agricultural and manufacturing districts ; thus placing themselves in a comparative state of independence . Secondly , to secure as far as may be practicable , the full proceeds of industry ; whilst such proceeds , together with the capital invested , will be the individual property of ihe shareholders .

      It is presumed no arguments will be necessary to prove tbat labour is the source of all wealth—tbat it has enabled the capitalists of this country , not only to lire in ease aud splendour , but to realise their princely fortunes . Then , with a capital properly directed , and having iu the members of the Association all the labour and mechanical . skill nccesfary to improve such capital , can we reasonably be afraid of success ? There needs but the co-operation of our fellow-workingmen to shew to the world , by a practical example , tbe operatives of this country are alive to their true interests , and competent to carry on one of the most gigantic movements that ever was undertaken by any age or nation . We look forward with hope and with confidence that the working men generally will . see the absolute necessity of working for themselves , of reaping the full proceeds of their industry , rather than giving it to those whose competitive selfishness has been ever on the alert to reduce the price of labour , and thus consign their fellow creatures to a state of degradation aud bondage .

      What would have been our present condition in society if we had been working upon the outlay of our own capital for the last twenty years past ? Would the union bastifes have been called for , and the enlargement of our prisons ? Would thousands of the sons of ingenuity and industry have had to button a thread-bare coat around a hungry belly , while tlieir families have had to participate of equal want and misery ? Would our political rights have been tampered with in the manner Unit they have been , and our demands for redress hare passed unnoticed ? Surely not . The wealth which the working classes of this country have been instrumental in producing , wonld , if applied to themselves , hare enhanced the value of tlieir labour , according to the various branches of industry , from thirty to eighty or a hundred percent .

      This would have been a competence , and more than sufficient to have placed them above the fear of want . Under such circumstances the consumption would hare been much greater throughout the entire working population , and the demand for labour considerably improved thereby . Thus , our interests would have beeu blended with , and augmeuted by our very enjoyments . The present system of employing private capital has the very opposite effect , The demand for labour is made chiefly to depend upon our foreign markets , and whenever there is a depression in foreign commerce we are not only deprived of our small share of enjoyments , but of the only means whereby wc can support our existence—though we have within our own circles all the powers for labour , aud all the mechanical skill tbat is necessary to supplyeach other ' s physical wants and necessities .

      What advantages , then , may we not expect from the outlay of our own capital , and the employment of our own labour thereon ; what may not be achieved by perseverance , and the proper direction of the powers of the association . Machinery , which is superseding manual labour to a very alarming extent , and thus working our destruction , may be profitably employed , and made to contritutc to our general welfare . Is it , then , too late to be wise , or shall it be longer said that the working classes are too apathetic to attend to their own happiness ? If ever you had an idea of bettering your condition , now is the time to reduce that to practice , now is the time your effort will

      be most availing . Let no man say , I can ' t do it ; remember , " I can ' t do it , " never did anything . « ' I'll try to do iV has worked wonders , and " I will do it" has performed prodigies . " The wise and brave conquer difficulties by daring to attempt them . " Then why fear to accomplish that which is practicable by every man . Set yourselves to the work individually and collcctirely ; give , your support to ( he association by having your names unrobed as shareholders , and there can be no doubt that prosperity will attend the cause . A WOBKINQ JfAK . London , August 25 , 1815 .

      The Democratic Supper And Major Beniowsk...

      THE DEMOCRATIC SUPPER AND MAJOR BENIOWSKI . TO TUB EDITOR OF TBE NOHTUEEX STAB , Sib , —When I read , in your number of the ICth tnst ., a report of the Democratic supper which took place on the lltb , to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the Democratic Association , I was much amused , but not surprised , that Major Beniowski appeared at the Democratic manifestation . Net surprised , iiide ' -d , because men of " modest assurance" can introduce themselves any and everywhere . Being myself a Democrat , and therefore sympathising with the true Democrats who got up the supper , I am anxious to show how far Major B . deserved to he " -warmly r « eieed" by them , and also whether he ought to be recognised by them as a "friend and comrade , " or a "brother Demoerat , " and to be listened to , nay , to be believed and applauded for all the contemptible stuff he delivers .

      Major B . is now , as he believes himself , to be " stronger than ever" ( . stronger , in what ?); most likely because , with " bag and baggage , " he joined the Aristocratic party , and thus naturally ceased to be a " & ro ** iei- " and became a "Monsieur . " Here is the evidence : — I . —When a series of articles appeared in the various numbers of the Sun of the 2 nd , 6 th , and 9 th of September , 1813 , about Major B . ' s aristocratic principles and views , the Commune of a Polish Democratic association , called " Tlit Union , " of which he was a member , finding that these articles were not disapproved of by him , called upon him on the 9 th of October of the tame year to declare whether he would publicly disavow their tenor or not ; for , if he did not disavow them , it could could only be inferred that he had renounced his Democratic opinions , and passed over to the opposite camp , and that therefore he must be struck off from the list of the Commune . To that application Major B . replied , by letter of the lltb of October , 1 S 43 , as follows : —

      [ Translation . ] " At tbe sitting of tbe Commune on the 13 th of August , I expressed my convictions that " The Union" cau do no good at all for Poland ; and I endeavoured to persuade you that the only hope tor Poland lies in the talents , patriotism , and power of tbe friends of the dynasty of Prince Adam Czartoryski . Such ideas are opposite to your prin . ciples ; and , as I am disposed to carry out those ideas , I request you will strike off my name from the list of your members . # # * ( Signed ) "B . Besiowsm . " II . —In a Polish aristocratic newspaper , entitled Ths Third of Mag , appeared , under the date of tbe 29 th of December , 1811 , a declaration , signed , in common with others , by Major B ., containing , amongst othtr things , the foUowing clauses and resolutions —

      " 3 rdly . —Thatinthepresentstate ( ofPolandJ , we consider the family of Prince Adam Czartoryski alone to be able to realise our wishes ; and therefore we consider this family to be invested with tiie supreme power for the benefit of our country , as long a * that family will repre . switand endeavour to realise the holies and wishes of tiw country . " 4 thly . —And as the intentions of that personage ( Prince A . Czartoryski ) can never be realiied , if aB true patriots will not implicitly confide in him , our association solemnly declare that we will severally and collectively most entirely iuhniit to him for the salvation of our fatherland . "

      Beside * these overwhelming undeniable proofs , the fact is , that Major li . attends every monthly and other " knife ami fori meetir . gt" of the aristocratic party , aud there be makes the most violent attacks upen his ' -brother Democrats'' and upon their sacred principles . Of this , sir , you and jour fellow-countrymen seem not to be aware , although one of them , well known to you all for his devotion to the cause , and whom I know , but who did not attend the supper of the lltb inst ., is weU acquainted . I say , he is well acquainted , because some time ago , wlun Major B .

      paid him a visit , aud intended to shake hands with him , your countryman refused to do so ; aud , when asked for the reason , he thus answered him : — " Why , when you were amongst us , you represented to us Englishmen , both privately and in your public speeches , . Prince Adam Czartorjidtt and his supjiorterg to be the greatest scoundreli that ever breathed on earth , as the only caune of the present misfortunes of Poland ; and now , belonging yourself to them , how can you dare to ask an honest man , who re » pccts himself , and who sympathises warmly with tbe holy cause of your nation , to shake hands with jou V

      But perhaps Major B . ' g convictions are but , as jour lawyers say , "inclinations of opinion , " aud therefore he may change them like his coat , repudiate them whenever convenient for him so to do ; or perhaps he may hupe to be successful in " serving both God ami ths devil" * at the same time . If so , let him explain all this / doubte-dealing , and then the English Democrats will be able to appreciate hi * intrinsic value , and will not , I suspect , be ever again de . ceived byhiro . Believe me , sir , yours truly , August 25 , 1845 . A Polish Dehocbat .

      P-S . —As tbe English public perhaps do not know what h j-art Prince e « artorvski played in our national causapart which M » jd ' rB . himself frequently denounced before he entered his service—permit me to givehere a condensed account rff th * leading features of it . PrifiM Adam Czartoryski , Major B . ' s present patron , was for a certain period—when Poland had no political existence , having been despoil d b y Russia , Austria , and Prussia—Minister for Forei gn Affairs of the greatest foe of Poland , namely , the Czar of Muscovy , the late Alexander , the brother of the present Kichohis . When our last revolution—by which we endeavoured to shake off the invader ' s iron voke of

      from our nation—broke ou ^ on the 29 th Xorember , 1 S 30 , he ( Prince Czartoryski ) , in a proclamation issued on the Sflih of the same month and year , called this struggle for emancipation , a " sad and unexpected event " and engaged that the people of Warsaw would " return to order atai quiefaese ; " and expressed his wish "that the exasperation may be over with the night whkh covered them tciUt its darkness . " When , ou the 25 th of January , 1831 , the Polish Diet—fulfilling an imperative act of duty—determined upon the extinction of the right to the throne of Poland on the part of her greatest enemy ( the present Czar A' - ch-las ) , 1 ' rhux Czartorvski exclaimed , "by that

      •¦»J*A-'']Rangccf,3nridcncc,Tl:Efirstfiv...

      •¦» J * a- ''] rangccf , 3 nridcncc , tl : efirstfive ! etteisefrr : r : cfi OKirtwysai ' s mune , Ciart , signifies devil .

      Vuy have ruined Poland / " Possessing considerable in . fluenre over many persons who unfortunately had the power to injure our cause , he proceeded to a corps of 22 , 000 of our beat troops , aud prevented them rejoining the rest of the : national force , at a critical moment ( when the Russians surrounded and took Warsaw ) , and obliged them afterwards to surrender their arms iu Austria . The Polish Emigration , well aware of all those facts , published in 1834 a protest signed by nearly the whole of them—for it containcdabouMOOOsignatures—in which tbey solemnly declared IVttu-e Adam . Ciartorjsfci to be the enemy of the national cause . This protest was published in several French newspapers on the 12 th of September , 3 S 31 .

      [ The writer of this letter has furnished us with his name . He is , what he represents himself to be , a Polish Democrat . He has given proof of his devotion to the sacred cause for which he is now an exile , even since he landed on our shores . The letter , too , has been seen by another most dbtinguished object of Sir James Graham ' s cams ; and he vouches for the facts therein narrated . Under these circumstances , we feel ourselves called on to give it a publicity equal to the declarations and representations that have called it forth . —Ed . JV . S . ] +++++++ •<*¦ ' M ^^^**' ¦ *•» - ¦ ' «""" - ^•»«— ' * + * .

      Explosion At Jarrow Colliery. A Dreadful...

      EXPLOSION AT JARROW COLLIERY . A dreadful explosion of fire-damp occurred at Jarrow Colliery on Thursday afternoon , which had been attended with a fearful loss of life and extensive destruction of property . The colliery is situate on the Durham side of the river Tyne , about nine miles below Newcastle , and is the property of Mr . Thomas Diewctt Brown , of Jarrow . It is a very old colliery , and the shaft is of considerable depth ; forty-five men were at work in the Bensham seam when the explosion took place , and thirty-five in the low main , the former being at the depth of Ylo fathoms from the surface , and the latter 195 fathoms . The loss of life has been chiefly in the low main , where the explosion must have occurred , though its effects are visible in cverv other part of the mine .

      Before proceeding to give a narrative of the circumstances attending this fearful event , it way be proper to state that the colliery consists of one shaft only , which is divided into three portions by means of brattices . The shaft is circular , and is sunk to the low main . 195 fathoms . It is fourteen feet in diameter , and is divided into two unequal segments , the larger of which is subdivided into two equal parts . The smaller segment of the circular shaft is used for the engine to draw water from the mine ; the westernmost division of the larger segment goes to the Bensham seam , and tbe easternmost one to the low main . The air to ventilate the workings descends the engineshaft and the east shaft , and after traversing the galleries of the low main seam , it is conveyed through

      a shaft called the oval pit into the Bensham seam , after ventilating which it passes to the high main , and thence into the upcast of the west shaft . The entire shaft , as we have said , descends to the low main , but the west division is stopped by a platform at the Bensham scam , tho other divisions going all the way down . This explanation is necessary in order to the understanding of what follows , as well as to correct one or two errors which have crept into previous accounts . The colliery was considered well ventilated , and it had only been examined on the E revious day , when every part of the mine was in a ighly satisfactory state , there being no foulness , and the air strong in the courses . The first indication of an explosion having taken

      place was the ascent of dense smoke from the mouth of the shaft . This was observed by Mr . Brown , the owner of the colliery , and Mr . Jobling , the viewer , who were standing conversing together but a short distance from it , and on tlieir hastily approaching the pit they found their dreadful apprehensions realized . The pit had fired with dreadful violence , and nearly 100 individuals were known to be below . The intelligence soon spread into the village , and in a few minutes several hundred persons hau collected round the mouth of the pit , principally women and children , who loudly bewailed the supposed loss of parent , relative , orfriend . The scene . was deeply affecting . Mr . Jobling , with praiseworthy promptitude , ordered the machine to bo manned in order to decend ,

      but finding that the ropes of both pits were fast being crushed by the broken brattice , he immediately directed that horses should be yoked to the jack , by which means he and au overman named Defty went down . On entering the Bensham seam , a few of the men who had been at work there were found to have reached the shaft alive , whereupon Defty was ordered to bank to place waterfalls on the two downcast divisions of the pit . Here an incident occurred of a striking and peculiar character . The men when discovered were in a state of great exhaustion , but one or two recovered speedily when placed in the current of fresh air , and as there were several other men in the workings of that seam , it was deemed advisable that the weaker of those who had been found

      should go up the shaft with Defty , while the stronger remained with Mr . Joining , the viewer , to render him any assistance they might be able in searching for their comrades till Defty returned ; but such was the state of delirious excitement in which the men were , that one of them in the dark sprang to the rope in the centre of the shaft , and clung to it with the tenacity of despair . Had he missed the rope he would have fallen a depth of nearly twenty fathoms , and must inevitably have perished . He was fortunate in retaining his hold , and he ascended the shaft in safety , shouting in delirious excitement to be out ol the place . The scene was an awful one to witness . Defty , after placing the watercourses on , descended in a cage , and remained in the shaft some time assisting the other men .

      Defty , who had been some time engaged in the shaft , assistign in getting the men to the surface , then descended to the bottom , and was directed into the workings of the Bensham seam , to ascertain the state of the communication with the low main by means of the oval pit , being cautioned by Mr . Jobling not to go too far if he found the air dangerous ; but , such was his anxiety to save the other men , that he himself fell a victim to the choke-damp after being but a short time in the mine . The three bodies found dead in the Bensham seam were but a short distance from the shaft , and they had evidently been killed by the alter-damp , as they were not at all burnt . It having been ascertained that nothing more

      could be done to reach the men who had been at work in the low main till the brattices were repaired so as to carry the air down , relays of men were ordered to proceed with that work as speedily as possible , and thus they were engaged the whole of Thursday night and Friday . Though the foulness of the air prevented the possibility of communicating with the low main by means of the oval pit , it was ascertained , in the course of the operations , that a current was ascending that pit , thus showing that the air-course in the low main was not entirely interrupted . Faint hopes were then entertained of rinding some of the men in the low main alive , more particularly if any should have got near the air current , and that gave a fresh stimulus to tho exertions

      of the men engaged in the tedious and difficult operation of replacing the brattic in the shaft . To replace it with wood two or three days might have been consumed , and , as there was a possibility of saving the lives of some of the men , directions were given to use canvas instead of wood , and an immense number of sheets and blankets were soon available for the purpose . At about half-past two o'clock on Saturday morning the men reached the low main seem , the workings of which are not of great extent , being in tiie solid coal , about 300 yards in one direction and 200 yards in the other . They immediately commenced exploring the drifts , under the direction of Mr . A . Johnson , of Wellington Colliery , near Durham .

      Mr . Johnson gave a pit signal and was answoied . He asked if it was Liddle , and was answered "No . Cranston ; " on which he proceeded in the direction of the voice , and near the oval pit found "William Cranston sitting with his hands resting on his thighs , and ten others around him dead . Cranston was sensible when he was found , but unable to move from exhaustion . He was immediately assisted to the shaft , and conveyed to the surface , shortly after reaching which he became wholly insensible , lie was promptly attended to by Dr . Browne , the colliery surgeon , who was present to render every assistance as speedily as possible , and on being conveyed home was put to bed , where he yet remains . It is thought , however , that he will recover .

      The bodies of the other men found near Cranston were brought "to bank" on Saturday . Several of them were dreadfully mutilated . It is supposed that Cranston , who has a wife and four children , escaped the violence of the explosion by his having been in one of the boards used as a receptacle for stones . That , however , is merely conjecture , and his own statement , when he is able to give it , will be more satisfactory . The following are the names of those found in the low main seam on Saturday morning : — William Cranston , aged 35 , found alive , as above described . The others were dead . William Walker , aged 3 ft , left a wife . He was much burnt and cut about the head . Thomas Liddle , 44 , wife and six children ; not much burnt . Thomas Wailes , wife and family ; his son Thomas not found .

      John Burdis , left five orphan children . lie was very much mutilated , his entrails being protruding , and his body completely cut up . His son Thomas also much mutilated . Mark Willis , wife confined a few days ago of the sixth child ; dreadfully mutilated , his head being completely blown off . George Willis , wife and several children . Some legs and arms , and the mutilated trunk of a bod y , supposed to be his , were collected together , and wrapt up in flannel . The stench from these mutilated remains was horrible . John and Robert Forster , orphans , both young men . Robert burnt severely . George Atchieson , 12 , much burnt and mutilated . George Crane , wife and two or three children . Much burnt . ' Robert Baird , a boy , and John Elliot , 14 , not much burnt .

      The above list contains the names of thirteen parties , ten of whom were found near Cranston , ami tho others some distance from him in the workings , 'lie following are the names of those supposed to lie sill in ihe low main : —

      Explosion At Jarrow Colliery. A Dreadful...

      Thomas Low , 48 , wile and family . Joseph Wanless , 55 , wife and family . Robert Arrowsmith , 24 , a wife . Joseph Scarfton . John Musgrave , 50 , and his son John , 10 , wife and John and James Coburn , the former left a wife and six children . . , , , Cuthbert Bel ! , 25 , married only three weeks . Robert Ramshaw , a boy . Thomas Hills , a wife and family . Josenh Bainbridge , wife and family . Peter Peel , 50 , wife and family . William Weddlc , 35 , wife and family . James Hall , wife and one child .

      William Charlton , deputy , 46 , and his son John , 18 , wife and several children . Another William Charlton , 30 , wite and family . John M ' Leod , 40 , deputy . Joseph Baniburgh , a boy . William Elliott , 15 . , , , , The explosion has done a great deal of damage to the mine , and there are several falls in the root winch impede the progress of the men exploring the works , as the rubbish must be removed , ar . d the stoppings , all of which are blown out , replaced as they proceed . No account can yet be given of how the accident occurrcd * An inquest has been held upon the body of Jacob Duffy , and the jury returned a verdict—That the deceased had died from the effects of after-damp .

      Saturday Night . Workmen have been employed all day in clearing away the obstructions caused by the explosion ; but tl ey have not yet succeeded in recovering the whole of the bodies . About seven o ' clock to-night the mutilated remains of Joseph Baniburgh , a youth , were brought to the surface ; and about nine o ' clock tiie bodies of two others were brought up , but in such a dreadfully mutilated state that recognition was impossible . The force of the explosion must have been tremendous . From twenty-eight to thirty bodies are yet in the workings , and great difficulty exists in reaching the place where it is supposed they are , from the damage done to the mine . It is thought they will be recovered through the night , or in the course of to-morrow .

      John Adams , one of the men who was in tho Bensham seam , and for some time after he was brought out was not expected to live , is gradually recovering and is now considered beyond danger . William Cranston has scarcely ever spoken since lie was put to bed , except when spoken to by Mr . Browne , the surgeon , and then he replied with great difficulty , and his answers evidently showed that his mind was deranged . The surgeon is apprehensive of congestion taking place . It is his intention to bleed him to-night , and should he go on favourably he may be able in a few days to give some account of the dreadful event , so far as witnessed by himself . Great crowds of people continued at the pit mouth up to a late hour , and some would probably remain there the whole night .

      JauKOW , SliSDAT Ni & ul . The excitement prevailing here to-day has been greater than at any previous period since the explosion . The bodies of about thirty of the sufferers were this afternoon consigned to the grave in Jarrow churchyard , the funeral being witnessed by upwards of 3 , 000 spectators , many of whom had come from a considerable distance . The bodies were placed in decent coffins , which were waiting to receive them when brought to the surface , and were conveyed to the churchyard in carts belonging to the colliery . Some of tiie surviving relatives of each joined in the melancholy procession , and , as usual in the colliery districts of tho north of England , the Old Hundredth Psalm was sung on the way to the burial ground . The scene was exceedingly solemn . Unremitting exertions have been made by relays

      of men from the various collieries in the district , directed by many of the principal viewers , who relieved each other at intervals , to penetrate the workings of the mine in quest of the bodies of the sufferers . Sixteen had been recovered last night , and 15 others were found to-day , all sadly mutilated by the explosion . Indeed , many were so much disfigured that it was impossible to identify them . One body , thought to be that of George Cram , found yesterday , was to-day discovered to be that of Thomas Love , Cram having been found this afternoon . Love , who had been conveyed to Cram's house , was accordingly removed to his own , and Cram placed upen the vacant couch . In several cases the surviving friends have had to mourn over a heap of mutilated remains , without even the melancholy satisfaction of knowing with certainty they were those of their deceased relatives .

      There are yet four bodies in the bowels of the earth . One , that of a boy , is supposed to be under that of a horse , which he was employed in attending , and which is still partially buried in the rubbish blown down from the roof and sides , so as nearly to block up the way . ' The three other bodies arc supposed to be further in ; but it is hoped that all wM be got at before the morning . The damage done to the mine is very great , aud the roof has fallen iu several places , so that the workmen have to clear the way and replace the " stoppings and brattices" as they advance , to carry the air with them . There have been thirty-eight lives lost by this explosion , thirty-four in the Low main , and four in the Bensham scam , including Defty , the overman . William Cranston , the only survivor of those at work in the Low main , and whose miraculous escape , after being upwards of thirty-six hours in the fetid

      atmosphere , was described in a former communication , still remains in a very precarious state . Theblccding last wight has had a salutary effect , and he has been sensible at intervals during the day . When the funeral procession was passing his door he heard the singing , and was much excited ; but his excitement was somewhat allayed on his being told it was a prayer meeting , lie being entirely unconscious of the real state of matters . He has never once referred to the accident , and , of course , it would be imprudent to mention it to him under present circumstances . John Adams , who was in the Bensham seam , has been worse to-day than yesterday , having had a slight relapse . He is not , however , considered in immediate danger , and hopes are entertained of his recovery . Several of those taken from the Bensham seam are still suffering severely from the effect of the choke-damp , though none arc in imminent danger .

      coroner s inquest . Jarrow , Monday . The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the unfortunate men killed by the recent explosion at Jarrow colliery was resumed thismorning , before Mr . l ' avcll , the coroner for this division of tlic county , at Mr . Hunter ' s , the Hylton Castle Inn . Three of the bodies remaining in the mine last night had been recovered , and one only , that of Robert Baird , is left . The coroner having opened the proceedings , Mr . Browne , the colliery surgeon , delivered in a list of the sufferers . Ho had examined most of the bodies as they were brought to the surface , but it was impossible , from the state in which many of them were , to state whether they had been burnt to death or killed by the alter-damp .

      Thomas William Jobling being sworn , said , —I am principal viewer of Jarrow colliery . On Thursday afternoon , about half-past one o ' clock , I was walking towards the colliery with Mr . Brown , when my attention was directed to a strong cloud of smoke issuing from the pit . My first impression was that the brattice was on fire , but on arriving on the pit heap , I discovered that an explosion had taken place , and found that both cages were fast at the bottom of the shaft . We have two drawing engines , the shaft is fourteen feet in diameter , divided by a strong wood framework or brattice into three compartmentsnamely , the engine pit , in which the pumps arc placed for drawing the water from the mine ; the castor downcast shaft , from which the coals arc

      , drawn from the low-main seam ; and the west , or upcast shaft , the largest division of the three , up which the coals are drawn from the Bensham scam . The depth to the low-main scam is 195 fathoms , and to the Bensham seam 175 fathoms . The engine shaft is a downcast , as well as the east pit . There is a very strong scaffold laid at the Bensham seam , at the bottom of the pit . On finding the cages fast , I ordered the gin hsrses to be brought , which was done , and I descended the east pit by the gin rope . There is a gin always ready , and the rope may be put into any of the three shafts . Jacob Defty went with me . I went down to the Bensham scum , where I found several men near the shaft . I went into the seam , ami three of the men cot into the loon 1 had left , and

      came to the surface with Defty . The cage was put down as far into the shaft as we could , and then a rope was let down from the cage to the seam to get the men up . [ This witness was much affected in giving his evidence as to the finding of the men , and several times shed tears . ] In the Dunkirk district of the Bensham seam the men never felt the force of the explosion at all . After being informed that the men in that district had been got out , I went into the north New-grove district , and found the men in that district had got out before I got there . [ Witness explained by reference to the plan the relative positions of tho districts . ] Returned to the Dunkirk district , having found then * en had not come out , when I met them coming , ami they asked what was the matter , they not having felt tlic slightest effect from tho explosion , and wondered

      why the works had stopped . I then returned to the shaft , and near it found James Steward , who was quite dead . The after-damp was very strong , but I persevered and got further in . About a hundred yards from the shaft I found ftve or six men moaning and insensible , being quite unable to render themselves any assistance . I took hold of the first I came to , and dragged him to the shaft . 1 then returned for the others , and brought as many as 1 could find . I came to the shaft several times for air , but never returned to the surface . In about two hours ami a half the men at the surface bad got tho engine to work , and were pouring water down the shaft . All this time 1 had no other assistnuco than tho men themselves could render in the sciun , Thuwntcv is let down by tupping tho tubbing . There were two waterfalls—one iu the east , Uiu idhrr in llu- enj-ine shaft . On the cowunmii'utioii being uuidu with iho

      Explosion At Jarrow Colliery. A Dreadful...

      surface some fresh men came down , and assisted in getting the rest of the men out of the Bensham seam . Robertsm and Fairgrieve were alive when brought to the lwttom of the shaft , but they were in a very exhausted state . I sent away to the surface first those whom I thought were suffering most , and in that was greatly aided by those who were not so bad . Several attempts were made to get into the westpit shaft . Isaac Weddle and John Simpson succeeded , and there found James Spence and John Adams , in a very exhausted state , the air being verybad . On Weddle and Simpson shouting they had * . *_

      found two men alive , I went round to the shaft and assisted in getting them out . All those found alive were eventually sent up . Before I went to the surface , Defty came to me , along with Robert Fairly and o-here . I was about two hours and a half in the mine before any of the men came down ; they were engaged in getting the ropes right . When Defty came down , I told him wc had got all the men out of the Bensham seam alive , except three , and cautioned him against going into the seam , on account of the after-damp , which was stronger than I ever felt it . There was a drift by which 1 thought

      the men might havc come from the Low-main to the Bensham , and Defty went to examine it . There were two doors which he had to open , and he was told to put the furnace-fire out at the bottom of the oval pit . The oval pit is sunk from the High-main through the Bensham seam to the Low-main , about 150 yards south of the main shaft . The depth of the ova ) pit from the High-main to the Low-main is sixty-five fathoms . There are two furnaces in the Bensham seam , one of which is placed at the oval pit , which forms the upcast from the Low-main workings ; the other is placed at the west pit of the main shafts , and ventilates the workings in the Bensham seam . Defty put out the furnace at the oval nit , lest , from the current being deranged , any of the

      gas should come in contact with the flame and cause a second explosion . Near to the oval pit , in the Bensham seam , there is a sloping drift driven down till it cuts the Bensham seam in another place , where it is thrown down by a dike . The drift is then continued for some distance in the coal ( upwards ot 500 yards ) , where a communication is formed from the coal by means of a staple to the stone drift in the Low-main . I have known the people come from the Low-main by this communication into the Bensham seam , but it is not generally used for that purpose . Defty , after putting the furnace out , proceeded further , in the hope that some of the men might have come up that drift . I never saw him alive alter he went to the furnace . Fairly came to me and said

      that Defty was overcome with tho after-damp , but I thought he would come round , as wc had all been much affected , and I accordingly directed some of the men lo go and assist him , as I was quite exhausted . I CMne to bank and sent fresh men down . I did not think that Defty was so bad , as he had been but a slort time in the mine . After all the men had been got out of the Bensham seam , we commenced immediately repairing the shaft , so as to enable us to i escend to the Low-main . The brattice was very much damaged , and took considerable time to repair , so that we did not get down to the Low-main till between twelve and one o ' clock on Saturday morning . On learning that the communication had been effected with the Low-main , I went

      to the pit , in order to descend , when I met Mr . Johnson and Jacob Tate who had found one man alive , named William Cranston . Cranston was lilted from the corf on to the surface , when he spoke to me , but he did not appear to be sensible . He walked away with assistance and is recovering . I got into the corf with Johnson and Tate , and went down to the Low-main , when I found a severe explosion had taken place in thatseam . Great quantities of stone had been thrown from the roof . The on-sctter , Mark Willis , a boy , a horse , and several tubs of coal had been blown a considerable distance , the man and the boy , particularly the latter , having been verv much mutilated . About this time Mr . Anderson , " of South Shields , and Mr . Thomas

      John Taylor , of Earsdon , viewers , came down , and we saw another body , that of John Burdis , which had been brought to the shaft . We proceeded to the Weat-way-ends , about eight yards north from the shaft , and . at that point there were strong indications of fire , the coal being considerably charred or burnt . We went further north , about sixty yards , and saw that the force of the blast had been exerted in an easterly direction , the blast having come from the west . The after-damp was very strong , and wc returned to the West-way-ends , which is a point where the roily-way branches towards the north and towards the west . We' then put up fresh stoppings , arid repaired the old ones , to enable us to proceed to the West-flat . On reaching the Hat wc found tho

      body of a horse , and a number of tubs in disorder . Also the body of a roily driver , much burnt . We proceeded about twenty-five yards further , and there found the body of another boy , lying in one of the headway courses to the north . We proceeded to the west , but got slowly forward , the after-damp was so very strong , and we had to carry the air along with us . About 1 G 0 yards from the West-way-ends we found a large body of gas . Mr . Clark and others then came to relieve ns , and we left them endeavouring to remove the gas , and wc returned to bank . I was about three hours at bank , and then went down again , and found that Mr . Clark had succeeded in gettnig two bodies from the west , but lie had found the cas so strong that he did not

      consider it prudent to persevere in that direction . Consulted with Mr . Clark , and we determined to go north , and we changed the current of air accordingly . We did not think it prudent to explore in both directions at the same time in consequence of the strength of the after-damp . There were some men working on the south side of the West-Hat ; all the bodies were burnt , and , with the exception of two , covered with stones . The principal portion of the men were working in the North-flat Mothergate . There are the West-flat , and the West-flat Mothergate ; the Northflat , and the North-flat Mothergate , and these comprise the whole of the Low-main seam . After remaining a few horn's I gave t-irections to the parties , and again returned to bank . This was on Saturday

      evening . On Sunday morning 1 went down again , and found the parties had got to the l orlhcrn extremity of the workings , and had got several bodies . Those found in the flat were not muck burnt -, but those found in the boards north of the flat were burnt severely . Mr . Johnson went down with mc . We went to the west , and came back over the south , and found several bodies , the position of which showed that the parties had been coining in an easterly direction from the flat . We found the bodies of several hewers , and the place where we found them showed that they must have been leaving their work after the explosion , with the exception of one , whonnpearod to have been struck dead where he stood . Wc then went into the West-flat Mothergate . All the bodies

      had been then discovered except four , one of which wc supposed to be under a fall of stone , and we knew where the three others were , but could not get at them . There was much less gas in this part than there was before , which I account for bv supposing the "blower" had abated . The first time * I was there I heard the gas or blower issuing from the West-flat Mothergate , either from the stone or the coal , 1 heard it more distinctly on the second day , as 1 got nearer to it than 1 was before . Mr . Anderson and I then returned to tho North-flat , and went to the West-way-ends . All the bodies we had found had been then got out . IVe returned to the West-flat Mothergate by a shorter course , and there found Mr . Clark and Mr . Taylor removing the stone . Wc

      returned and came to bank about five o ' clock last night . I have not be < n there since , but I understand thev have found the three bodies , and that one onlv , that of a boy , now remain ? in the mine , under a fall of stone near the shaft . In the eastern district of the mine there are about twelve acres of silidcoal , which are not worked ; in the west district about seven acres . The waste was gone through twice a week , and the returns were examined every day . From there being no pillar working , there was no goaf in tbe Low mam . In addition to the men working in the Low main seam , there were four men working on the stone drift , and one of these men was found alive . They were all found within a short distance cf each other . The four men wire not , in my opinion , burnt . The one found alive had been working in the Stow board . [ This witness was very imperfectly understood , from his mode of referring to the plans , and pointing out places "here" and

      " there , " without sufficiently describing them 1 Two of the men were found with their mouths in a pool of water , and the one found alive , whose name is William Cranston , was sitting beside them . - [ The witness then proceeded to describe the mode of ventilating the mine , and the direction of the air courses which could not be understood without reference to the plan . ] Some time ago the quantity of air descending the main shaft was measured and found to be 40 , 000 cubic feet per minute , excluding a certain portion which was not measured . I have no hesitation in saying that up to the time of the accident the air entered the mine at the rate of 50 , 000 cubic feet per minute , about ono half of which went to the Low mam . The oval pit has been used as an air course about two years . About six years ago the whole of the brattice in the main shaft was renewed , and a great increase in the quantity of air was the consequence . It was entirely owing to the existen ™ of

      the oval pit that Cranston wa » got out alive . Wc should not have been ablo to havc penetrated the mine yet had it not been for the oval pit . Defty when in ike Bensham seam , not more than half an hour before his death , said to me , that he could »* £ account for the accident , as lie had been through the whole of the workings with a candle the day before and found all right , no gas , and the returns perfectly clear . He said ho never wouU vtisb . to sec the nit in a better condition . I never heard anv report of the pit being m an unfit state that monmw cw nt * v

      „ other time ; on the contrary , tho men complained of the strength ol the current of air " swealin .. " ( wast ing ) their candles . I cannot state positively the cause of the explosion , but my opinion is there has been some sudden discharge of eas at or near the face ot the western district . The direction of the blast can be traced along the headways courses north , thence to the wist ; then it has returned out towards the shaft . Another current awy be traced to the

      Explosion At Jarrow Colliery. A Dreadful...

      south . It lias evidently originated iu the western district , as the clothes of the men are much burnt there , and sonic of them are wrapped round theposts , in the direction of the blast . By a Juror . —There arc two shifts , one called the fore shift , and the other the back shift . The men killed were working in the back shift . Ihe wen that were working in the fore shift are ready to describe the state of the mine when they left it . _ By the Coroner . —My only reasons for thinking the explosion originated in the western district are that the direction of the blast is indicated by its effects , and hearing the gas issue from the face of the western district . Did not * hear gas issuing from any other part . The Coroner then read over the evidence of Mr . Jobling , and asked if any of the jury wished any further questions to be put to him . None having been put , . 1 ft .. l ! . _ ..... MiHAinfJ Itl tllA « l * A 11 PnMM

      Mr . Martin Jade , of Newcastle , said he had received a note from some of the friends of the deceased , requesting him to attend and ask the coroner to adjourn the inquest , until Sir James Graham sent down a commissioner to assist in tho investigation . The Coroner said , it was clear the commission could not interfere with this proceeding . If a commissioner were appointed , he would have power to summon witnesses and examine into the whole case , and if any neglect occurred in the present investigation , he would have an opportunity of discovering it . He was desirous to investigate the matter fully , aud if at the close of the day ' s proceedings he saw it was desirable to adjourn for uuther evidence , he would do so , but otherwise he should close the proceedings . Any particular question that Mr . Jude , or any other gentleman , might wish to be put to the witnesses , he ( the Coroner ) would be ready to put it .

      Mr . Horn , of Newcastle , wished to be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses on behalf of tho relatives of the deceased , but the Coroner would only permit him to put his questions through tho Court . Mr . Browne , surgeon of the colliery , was re-called , and lie related a conversation he had had with Defty , the overman , just before his death , as to the state of the ventilation . It was in substance the same as stated by Mr . Jobling in the course of his evidence .

      John Bainbridge , a hewer , was next sworn and examined . —1 have been a workman at Jarrow colliery upwards of nineteen years . Was at work * ui the pit on the morning befos e she fired . Was at work in the second wall from the north " hitch , " which is in the western district . The pit was in a good state , and my brother , who was there , said to me the air was so strong that we could scarcely carry candles to serve us . There was nothing amiss in the ventilation when I left ; but when I heard of the explosion I thought it would have occurred in the Stone-drift , and not where the pit seems to have fired . 1 have lost a brother by the explosion . Have seen some of the men that were employed in the West Mothergate flat , but have not heard them complain of the state of that part of the mine . The brattices were well kept up to the face of the eoal , and my brother has

      complained of it being carried too close . Have never complained of the brattice not being carried up to tho coal since 1 went to work in the Low-main , which is about six weeks ago . If more brattice had been required , we could have got it for the asking . Emmanuel Defty . —I am a deputy-overman at Jar . row colliery , and was employed in the fore-shift on Thursday morning up to half-past eight o ' clock , when I left . Am brother of Jacob Defty , who w ; is killed . When I left the pit , from the south end of our workings to the north end , I think I never saw her cleaner . Considered her perfectly safe . The bi attices were well up . The air good . Never heard complaints of the air being bad , but havc heard tho men grumble at the brattices being put so well up to the coal that it wasted their candles . Have not been in the Low-main since she fired .

      By a Juror . —it is my duty to examine the workings to sec if all be right before the men go to work . Have not been in the back pillars lately . Consider it the wastmau ' s duty to examine the back pillars . But it is the overman ' s duty to sec that the piiJarg are examined by some one . Never heard any complaints of the pit being in an unsafe state before she tired . [ This witness appeared to be still labouring under the effect of the choke-damp ; he was very weak , and gave his evidence with difficulty . ] Robert Fairly , the wastman , on being recalled , stated , that he had examined the back pillars on Thursday morning , in company with Emmanuel Defty , the son of Jacob Deity , who was killed , and a

      boy named Foster , who attended upon him . The back pillars were quite clean . Had a lamp with us . The return was capital . I examine it every day . Have been a pitman fifty-eight years , and forty-two at Jarrow colliery ; considered the Low-main perfectly safe that morning . Jacob Defty had his candle in the return that morning . I was with Jacob Defty c * Thursday , in the Bensham scam , after tlic | it fired , near the oval pit . Defty observed to me that tho pit had not fired in the Low-main ; that was his opinion . Wc looked at the stoppings ,, and when we saw how they had been b ' . own , he was convinced it bad fired in the Low-main ; Defty assigned no reason for thinking it had occurred in the Low-main .

      Mr . William Anderson , viewer of St . Hilde colliery . — Had examined the mine , and concurred in opinion with Mr . Jobling that the explosion had originated near the westway , somewhere between where Bainbridge was working and the Mother-gate . It must have arisen from a sudden escape , of gas , which probably came from a blower . Don't sec how it could arise from any fault in the vcwtvlatiovi , Ita air has so little to do , the extent of the workings being so small . Live at South Shields , and have been a viewer forty years . John M'Leod . —I am a deputy at Jarrow Colliery , and was in the Bensham seam when it lircd . My father was killed by the explosion . I was in what is called Liiidle ' s-wny , » r . d the first I observed was a draught as if from a fall . I came out and was

      examinmg my stoppings when a door flew open and I lost my light . Went to my box and got my lamp , and lighted it ; then 1 went to get out my men , and to tell them to put their lamps out , and afterwards proceeded to the shaft . Knew then that an explo sion had taken place , and heard two men moaning , but did not see any killed . It was about threequarters of an hour before any one came down fiom the surface , when Mr . Jobling came , and I issis . cd him in getting the men to the shaft . The af :

      ordampwas very stvong . Never heard any re ) on , of the pit being unsafe before the explosion , William VVaddell . —I am a hewer at Jarrow cot liery . Was at work in the fore shift , and left the p it on Thun day morning about ten o ' clock . Worked in the ninth board in the north flat . The pit was in a very good state when I left it . The air was so strong that I had to put a screen up to protect my candle . I myself complained that morning of tho deputy putting the brattice up too far . The hewer that took my place when I left was killed .

      By a Juror . —The air came to me from the west flat , and if there had been any foulness in thut part , I should have felt it . Robert Blackey , a hewer in Jarrow colliery . —I was at work in the Low main , and left the pit aljout halt-past eight o ' clock on the morning she fired . Was walking at the south wall in the west fist , Mothergate . Tiie air was uncommonly good . The Coroner then put it to the jury whether they required any more evidence , and being answered in the negative , he proceeded to remark that the inquiry for the jury was , how these people came to tlieir death . There was no doubt they came to tlieir

      death by the firing of the pit . It was their duty , it possible , to find out fflierc the pit fired . They h » d the evidence of Mr . Jobling , confirmed by Mr . Anderson , that the fire had originated in a particular district , as far as they were able to judge from the indications observable in the works ; but in all probability the exact spot would never he discovered . If they were satisfied on that point , and thought it was not necessary to hear any further evidence , then they would have to say whether the fire arose from accident , or from negligence on the part ot those entrusted with the management of tlic works , or whether it was impossible to sav how it had

      arisen . , The jury then retired , and , after a brief consultation , returned with a written verdict as follows : — " We have considered the evidence brought before tis , touching the death of James Steward and others , and we find that they came to tlieir death by afterdamp , caused by a fire in Jarrow pit , on the 21 st mst ,, but where or from what cause it originated we are not able to show , and our verdict is Accidental death . " The Coroner . —By which you mean vou attach no blame to any one ? The Foreman . —Yes .

      Ihe inquisition was then made out and signed in theusual form , and thus the proceedings terminated . It is proper to state that the witnesses examine 1 ' were brought up promiscuously from the crowd that had assembled in the vicinitv of the inquest-room , fliere was no marshalling of ' the evidence , it hem ? the wish of the owners of the colliery , and every one concerned in the melancholy affair , that the fulled investigation should be instituted . The Coroner intimated in respect to Robert B * V < " » who had not been recovered when the procccdins terminated , that on receiving a certificate from t » e medical o fficer of the hodv having been found in *»» Low-main , and his opinion tbat his death had been caused by the same explosion , he wonld issue a warrant for his interment , and include him in the mo » isition with the others who had lost their lives at tno same time .

      It is thought the body of Baird will be got at l ?' night or to-morrow morning . Cranston cofltin " an almost unconscious state . Adams is slowly £ covering . The exact aumber killed is now « sf * - * taincd to be thirty-ma ? .

      Fa&Uios.-Th»»Hmtary Slavery Whk-H Ie»* "...

      FA & uios .-Th »» hmtary slavery whk-h Ie »* "f | J thinlc , act , mvif , dress , jiti-wilinu to iUc . juos " * - " I ' ftola ami tii * cani ? icc of coxcomb .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 30, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_30081845/page/6/