378 Mr. Buddie's Narrative of the Explosion 



4th. You are requested to state in what manner you would recommend the workings to 

 be ventilated and lighted in future, so as to afford the greatest degree of safety to the work- 

 men, that the circumstances of the colliery will allow. 



John Buddle. 



Newcastle, 20th August, 1835. 

 Sir, 



We have examined the present state of the workings of Wallsend Colliery, and 

 the ventilation thereof, and beg leave to answer the several queries addressed to us. 



1st. As to the present state of &c. 



We first examined the state of the ventilation in the G. Pit, and find the current of air 

 ventilating the workings in the whole mine, and which is intended to be passed through the 

 B Pit furnace, to be in so good a state, as to allow that furnace to be lighted with safety. 

 The ventilation of the pillar workings or eastern district is now partially restored, and when 

 the furnace is lighted will in a short time be completely so. 



In the C Pit, we find an attempt has been made to restore the ventilation by the aid of a 

 water-fall, as recommended in our former report ; this mode has not been found to carry 

 off the great discharge of gas from the north east part of the mine, in a sufficiently effective 

 and diluted state, as to allow the A Pit furnace to be lighted with safety ; we, therefore, 

 advise the adoption of the other alternative mentioned in our former report, viz. : — 



That the air should be taken direct from the C Pit shaft to the A Pit furnace by which 

 that furnace may likewise be lighted with safety ; and that the ventilation of this pit's work- 

 ings be then restored by means of the pipe drift into the B Pit shaft. 



2d. In the event of your finding, &c. 



When the furnaces are lighted, and in full operation, we presume that the current of air 

 will be so increased as to fully restore the ventilation. 



Supposing that the drawing of coals will, for the present be confined to the G Pit, the air 

 passing through the first north-west district ; south of the separation stoppings described pre- 

 viously, will enable the whole mine workings of that district to be resumed with safety ; and 

 the air passing through the eastern district will likewise be sufficient for putting the second 

 north-east district of pillars in a working state. 



The third south-east district of pillars may be also added to the G Pit, by ventilating those 

 workings in the same manner as previous to the accident. 



These three districts will, we presume, supply the requisite vend of the colliery for some 

 time. 



3d. You will also point out &c. 



We recommend, that, as soon as the ventilation is completely restored throughout the 

 colliery, the second north-east, the first north-west, and the third south-east districts, should 

 be set to work, as circumstances may suggest. 



4th. You are requested to state &c. 



