112 Mr Bald on the Fires that take place w Collieries. 



space, the workmen, at great risk of life, shovelled together the 

 burning coals, and sent them up the pits ; and when they were 

 unable to do any more from the extreme heat, and suffocating 

 vapours, the remaining burning mass was smothered by cover- 

 ing it over with very wet puddle ; after which the colliery ope- 

 rations were resumed. 



The Wemyss Colliery was set on fire, a few years ago, by a 

 quantity of small coal being accidentally laid over a brick-flue of 

 an underground high-pressure engine. This fire rapidly extend- 

 ed, and has occasioned much trouble and expence. It has burn- 

 ed for at least three years ; and as the burning mass was insu- 

 lated, I think it very questionable if the fire is altogether ex- 

 tinct. 



I was sent for upon this occasion, and was able to get very 

 close to the burning mass. I found the men, who were attend- 

 ing and giving their assistance below ground, very much affect- 

 ed by the deleterious vapour ; their faces were pale, and their 

 eyes had a glazed or varnished-like appearance, — a circumstance 

 I have frequently noticed in similar cases. Upon my returning 

 to the bottom of the engine pit, I found the sulphurous vapours 

 very much affecting my head ; so much so, that I requested the 

 men to tie me to the rope, in case I should have fallen during 

 my ascent. The effects of this vapour produced a most violent 

 headache, which continued three days. During this burning, 

 many narrow escapes were made ; and two unfortunate young 

 women, who were carrying breakfast to their relations in the 

 mines, fell victims to this most insidious vapour. 



Having thus given a summary view and account of the chief 

 fires which have taken place in the Scotch Collieries, I have now 

 to state the particulars of the three recent fires, which have taken 

 place in Clackmannanshire, and in the collieries of Mid-Lothian. 



The fire which has taken place in the South Sauchie Colliery 

 is in the old workings of the nine feet coal ; which are of very 

 great extent, and very ancient. 



About three months ago, this coal was discovered to be on 

 fire ; and the suspicion arose from smoke issuing from the sur- 

 face of the earth. This coal is not liable to spontaneous igni- 

 tion, as it is very free from sulphur ; and many conjectures were 



