4U Accident from compression of the Air, 



The accident occurred in the tummelbau of Botterbroicher, Ther- 

 chengrube, near Turnich, Feb. 7, 1826. There were in the mine, 

 Istj, John Weber, contractor, who was killed ; 2d, Martin Pohl, coal 

 cutter, who had his sight slightly injured, besides a superficial bruise 

 of the thigh ; 3d, Jacob Brewer, coal porter, who had a shoulder 

 dislocated, and a severe contusion of the left thigh. Without the 

 mine, though near a shaft, were in waiting two windlass turners, John 

 Bieck and Hilger Zimmermann. 



At 7 o'clock, A. M. as tlie workmen were going into the mine 

 where they had worked the day before, a pressure was perceived, 

 and in apprehension of the falling in of the tummel, they took the 

 precaution of employing themselves upon the coal near its entrance. 

 About 9 o'clock, the pressure had sensibly increased, and some large 

 pieces of the clayey stratum of the arch fell in. Weber the contrac- 

 tor, heard the crash, and ran to those who were in the pit. He had 

 the tummel searched externally and internally, and thought it not 

 proper for the workmen to go immediately to their business, but that 

 they should first eat their breakfast, and if in the mean time, there 

 should be another break, they might quit their work. Upon this, 

 Weber set out to brace the pit, the workmen remaining seated at their 

 breakfast in the wind shaft, near the passage to the tummel. We- 

 ber had been gone but a few moments, and had not probably reached 

 the middle of the ascent of the shaft, when the tummel suddenly fell 

 in, and the rush of the air was so terrible that Pohl, who was five 

 fathoms] within the windshaft, and Brewer, who was in another pas- 

 sage, were thrown down. Pohl recovered himself as he was lying 

 upon tlie windshaft ; and upon regaining his senses, looked after his 

 companion, whom he found senseless in the main passage. After 

 Brewer had recovered so as to come to his reason, they found We- 

 ber the contractor near them, apparently lifeless. Upon calling, 

 Bieck came to their assistance. Brewer was drawn out by means 

 of a rope, and the body of Weber was brought out in the same man- 

 ner. Pohl was able to climb out, without assistance. 



Bieck and Zimmermann state, that after Weber had left them^ 

 Bieck called and enquired, whether diey should take their breakfast 

 within the shaft ? After receiving an answer, they went about ten 

 paces from the mouth of the shaft to the hut, to eat their breakfast. 

 In less than a quarter of an hour, an alarming noise was heard. The 

 brick roof of the hut, that was built over the entrance of tlie mine, 

 was blown into atoms, and an entire ladder was thrown out of the 



