The Snaefell Mining Disaster

An inquest was opened last night at Laxey, Isle of Man, on the body of James Henry Corkill, one of the men rescued from the Snaefell Lead Mine. He died on Sunday morning after lingering for nearly a week, this being the 20th death resulting from the disaster. The primary cause of death was the breathing of poisonous gas, after which congestion of the lungs set in. The coroner warmly praised the conduct of Dr. Foster and Mr. Williams, the inspector and assistant-inspector, for their bravery in searching the mine after the disaster, and stated that his Excellency the Governor had received that morning the following telegram from the Home Secretary :— "Please convey to the inspectors and to the two captains the Secretary of State's high appreciation of their efforts and devotion, but ask them to be careful not to expose themselves to unnecessary risks. The Secretary of State is much satisfied at hearing that the rescue party has escaped, and directs me to express his deepest sympathy with those who have suffered." The coroner added that funds for the relief of the distressed were flowing in generously from all quarters. The inquiry was adjourned to the 25th inst. Experiments conducted at the mine yesterday by Dr. Foster and Assistant Inspectors Williams and Jones showed that the air was greatly improving, but nobody was allowed to descend the mine. Captain Kewley, the mine manager, who for over an hour on Saturday was in the box jammed at 105 fathoms level, made a statement yesterday. He said that when the box in which he was being hauled up stuck fast he thought the cause was that the water-power had become exhausted, and shouted, "For God's sake men, tell them to put the steam on." He then lost consciousness and knew no more till he found himself in bed. It appears that when the box stuck the men at the top suggested a greater strain, and a message was sent to the engine-room to pull harder, but Dr. Miller at the mouth of the shaft raced after the messenger to countermand the order. Had the rope broken, the box with Captain Kewley in it would almost inevitably have been hurled to the bottom of the shaft.