1923 Bellbird Mining Disaster

On the 1st September 1923 there was a fire at Hetton-Bellbird coal mine; known locally as just the Bellbird Colliery or mine. The coal mine was located near the village of Bellbird, which is itself three miles southwest of Cessnock in the Northern coalfields of New South Wales, Australia. The accident occurred in the No. 1 Workings of the mine and resulted in the tragic deaths of 21 miners and their horses. Subsequently there was a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident which resulted in legislative changes that were implemented in an effort to improve worker safety in Australian coal mines. These efforts culminated with the Mines Rescue Act 1925 which established standards for mine rescue operations in New South Wales (NSW) province. At time of the disaster the mine employed 538 people including 369 who worked underground. The accident killed 21 miners and caused legislation changes. At time of the disaster the mine employed 538 people including 369 who worked underground.

Incident

At 1pm on the 1st September 1923 twenty men entered the colliery for their shift. Deputies Eke, Sneddon and Wilson from the day shift were in the mine conducting inspections as a part of the shift handover. At 1:30 pm the inspection was finished and they went to No.4 West Flat. The fire occurred shortly after 1:30pm. The deputies went to No.3 were they found smoke and flames in the air return tunnel. At 2:00 pm an explosion occurred. At 4:00 pm they decided to recover bodies and seal the mine without knowing the source of the fire. Sealing of the mine commenced at 9:30 pm and completed by 1pm the next day This caused six men to be entombed inside the pit Four tunnels were sealed with sand, soil and timber followed by upcast shaft. There seven separate underground explosionsons. At 1:45 pm on the 2nd September 1923 an explosion burst through the seal in the tunnel near killing two volunteers. The manager called the colliery office four times without a response and failed to inform worker of the fire or smoke

Investigation

A coronial inquest and a Royal Commission were conducted. A coronial inquest and a Royal Commission were conducted. The inquest was held over 9 days from 4 September to 4 October by coroner George Brown at the Cessnock Court House which included a jury of six people and forty two witnesses. This first of the two inquests into the accident was somewhat inconclusive in its conclusions. The first jury verdict eventually found that the deceased met their deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning which was caused by either a fire or explosion yet “there was no evidence to show how such fire of explosion was caused”. They found that the evidence does not provide definitely how the disaster originated. They also stressed that the great weight of evidence shows that the mine was a safe one but that such an accident could occur in any mine in the local coalfields justifying the need for a central rescue station. Jury further argued the need for more strict regulations governing safety in the coal mine of NSW. A second inquest was held by George Brown on 20 May 1925. he second inquest held had very little new information to add to the findings of the original inquest but did seem to go out of its way to mention the possibility that the fire was started as a result of employee negligence. Regardless of the causes of the disaster, the recommendations to avoid a repeat of its aftermath were the same. Further safety standards were needed and trained professionals in centrally located rescue stations. Both were recognized as vital for coal mining safety moving forward. A report into the incident found may unsafe work practices including smoking in the mines, unreliable emergency phone lines and lack of hazard reduction and reporting. The inquest reveled that some workers did not have safety lamps

Cause

The explosion was caused by methane gas build up which was caused by dust being constantly pushed and reacting to the air. The explosions were caused by the distillation of coal gas within overheated coals heaps which ignited the gas which cause the fire and the explosion would spread the fire. There evidence of heating within heaps of fallen coal which caused the spontaneous combustion. The use of naked lights through the mine was considered to be cause of the fire. There have been three probable fires of the fire ignition of firedamp or other inflammable gas to contract with naked flame, ignition of coal dust by flame due to overcharged shot or ignition of inflammable gases produced and subsequently ignited by active mine fires.

Deaths

All twenty one deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning Many miners died due to being choked by gas. One of the deaths was Mr John B Brown who was the manager of the Aberdare Colliery died while helping the rescue effort. Two bodies were found just inside No.9 West with a further nine bodies and three were found outside the colliery. Discovered a man and a horse inside No.8 West.

Aftermath

Saw the destruction of much of the mining equipment including saw machinery and coal skips. After three weeks No.2 Working was reopened due to the lack of damage.

The disaster caused a debate about the flow of consistent ventilation in mines. Which saw the implementation of stone dusting to reduce the dangers of coal dust. It created a greater public awareness of mining safety,the need for emergency equipment and trained emergency and rescue officers. After the disaster all sources of light were replaced with safety lamps.

On the 3rd September a funeral was held in Cessnock which thousands attended. Hundred of miners completed a "marched in honour of their dead comrades". A monument was placed in memorial park near the site of the Bellbird Colliery listing the names of 21 men who lost their lives. Bellbird Tidy Town and Austar completed a restoration of the disaster site. The Miners Federation started a campaign to increase regulations as they believed the accident was preventable.

In 1924 a group of trained volunteer rescue teams using Proto breathing apparatus recovered the six bodies entombed in the pit,. Due the use of breathing apparatus have been used in several incidents with increased confidence in their use which saw reentry of operation of mines

The disaster saw a major revision of 1912 NSW Act which was enacted in 1926 which saw the additional regulations to explosives, safety lamps and power of inspectors. The Bellbird disaster was certainly significant, for it influenced the eventual passage of the Mines Rescue Act of 1925 by the New South Wales Parliament. It was given wide coverage in the press including detailed accounts of the lengthy inquest proceedings. This tended to increase public awareness of and sensitivity to the issues, and highlighted the hazardous nature of coal mining. The value of equipment in the hands of trained personnel was clearly demonstrated. Subsequently momentum for the introduction of the facilities grew and a consensus developed. It took most of the legislative year but by the 31 December 1925 the bill that became operation provided for the establishment of an organized mines rescue system in NSW coal mines. Central mines rescue stations were to be set up in four defined districts and rescue brigades installed at certain mines where there was no permanent rescue corps locally. Each of these stations were to be manned by full-trained specialists to assist in rescue operations. While in real terms the disaster was perhaps more important in its response than in its cause. The importance of trained rescue teams using professional equipment became easily apparent and enshrined in safety legislation.  This incident, being the latest in a long string of fatal mining accidents, is considered a prime catalyst for the ultimate passage of the Mines Rescue Act 1925 which still governs over rescue operation standards in NSW today. This legislation required the establishment of rescue stations and Brigadesmen teams as well as instigating new standards regarding both equipment and maintenance.