Abstract
IT is astonishing that, notwithstanding the many generations during which coal-mining has been carried on in this country, so comparatively little has been done to investigate scientifically the causes of explosions in coal-mines, and thereby discover an antidote to a constantly recurring danger, one which adds considerably to the yearly bills of mortality, and still more to the number of widows and orphans. No doubt a considerable proportion of these sad accidents is owing to the carelessness of miners themselves, but very many are, without doubt, also due to ignorance, on the part of all concerned, of the conditions under which coal-mining must be carried on. Only the other day a melancholy tale of death and widespread mourning comes from Wigan—fifteen men killed, leaving behind them at least thirty-one persons destitute of the means of gaining a livelihood. We are afraid that the frequency of such accidents has made the public somewhat callous in the matter; but a little consideration must show the vast importance of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the conditions under which they may happen. To this end the paper recently read before the Royal Society by Mr. William Galloway, Inspector of Mines, is an important contribution; and we hope that the author and others who are competent will continue their investigations until, if explosions cannot be prevented, they may at least be foreseen and provided against.
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Colliery Explosions . Nature 10, 224–226 (1874). https://doi.org/10.1038/010224a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/010224a0