III. Observations on the Fire-Damp of Coal Mines; with a Plan for Lighting Mines, so as to guard against its Explosion

Extract

Explosions in mines, from the kindling of the inflammable gas called Fire-Damp by the miners, have always occasionally occurred. Of late they have become more frequent in some of the coal-mines in this country, particularly those in the districts of the Tyne, and the Wear, in the North of England, and have been attended with such fatal consequences, as to have forcibly called public attention to the subject. In an explosion in one mine, about two years ago, ninety-two persons were killed; in another, which occurred soon after, thirty-two lost their lives; in one which happened within these few months, fifty-seven persons were destroyed; and recently, it has been affirmed, that several hundred lives are lost annually from this cause. From the state of the mines, particularly in the accumulation of wastes, the collection of water, and the increasing depth of the workings, there is reason to fear, too, that such accidents will become more frequent. Humanity loudly calls, therefore, on every effort being made to obviate the calamity; and even as a national concern, the immense loss of property in the mines, and the probability which has been suggested, that the working of them must ere long be abandoned, give to the subject the highest claims to consideration.