Name Of Mine On Which Last Employed
Eclipse Mine (Eclipse-Croesus Mine) , Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia

Place Of Burial
Methodist Portion, Kalgoorlie Cemetery, Western Australia

Submitted by
Ian Hodkinson - Volunteer

District
Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Cause of Death
Mine Accidents

Other Information
1911 'THE ECLIPSE MINING DISASTER', Kalgoorlie Western Argus, 30 May, p. 5
THE ECLIPSE MINING DISASTER.

The coroner (Mr. W. A. G. Walter) and a jury consisting of Messrs. J. Cawley (foreman), T. Conway and George Oliphant, held an inquiry on Friday into the cause of the death of Harry J. Angwin and Ben Williams, who were killed by a fall of earth in the Eclipse mine on Saturday last. Sergeant Goodridge conducted the inquiry. Mr. Randall appeared for the company, Mr. H. Glance for the Miners' Union, and Inspector Deeble for the Mines department. Dr. Irwin described the injuries sustained by the unfortunate men. In each case they were sufficient to cause death. Angwin was probably killed instantaneously.

Stanley George Henderson deposed that on Saturday last he was working the night shift on the 600 ft. level in the Eclipse mine. Deceased were in a leading stope preparing to bring down some bad ground. Angwin was in charge. He told witness to get him some clay. After witness got the clay Angwin started to charge a crack in the wall. Immediately after witness heard the ground cracking and he called "lookout!?' The two deceased ran and witness ran also. He heard the fall of ground and then Williams screamed. Witness and two shovellers went back to where Williams was under the stone. They tried to lift the stone but they could not. They had to get assistance. It took about 15 minutes to get him out. Angwin was lying under the hanging wall. There was no stone on him.

Richard Ramsden, shoveller, deposed that when he went down he saw, deceased Williams on the rill. Williams told him not to come any further as the ground was loose. He further said He did not think they would be able to do any work there that night as it would take a long time to get it down. Williams told him to go and tell the boss. Witness went back and saw Angwin. Angwin came in and had a look, and he then said, "I can bring this down." Williams said, "I can bring it down." He was ramming a charge in at the back when 50 tons of the hanging wall came away. It only gave one crack before coming away.
To Mr. Glance: The shift boss was coming in as I met him: He did not tell me it had already been reported. Janies Faulkner gave similar evidence.

Richard Curtie deposed that he tired three shots in the hanging wall on Friday evening, and this made about 40 ft. of it very bad. When Williams came down he pointed it. out to him. Williams said he would bar it down, and asked him to tell Angwin. He went up and told Angwin the ground was not fit to send truckers under. Angwin said he would go down at once.

.Joseph L. Polmear shift boss, deposed that he was on afternoon shift on, Friday, 19th inst. He visited the scene of the accident about 7.30, and it was then safe. About 11.30 Angwin came on, and he told him that firing was going on in the hanging-wall, and that he had better look at the place. About 12 Williams came for his candles, and Angwin told him to be very careful. Williams said he would keep an eye on the place. Both deceased were practical, careful men.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, no blame being attributable to anyone.

1911 'A DOUBLE FATALITY', Kalgoorlie Miner, 22 May, p. 4.
A DOUBLE FATALITY IN THE ECLIPSE MINE
Two victims were added on Saturday morning to the long list of miners who have met with violent deaths in the district — Shift boss Harry Angwin, and a miner, Benja min Williams, being killed in the Eclipse mine.
When the Eclipse and the Croesus Proprietary were amalgamated, it was decided to make the connection between the two shafts at 600 ft. level, right through — there being a difference of several feet between the two drives. This was being done by underhand mining, and served to make the level from 16 ft. to 18 ft. high, and about 12 ft. wide. The afternoon shift fired before knock ing off on Friday at midnight, and when the shift boss, Mr. J. Polmear, examined the place he saw that there was a dangerous-looking crack on the hanging-wall. He reported this to Angwin, who was taking charge of the relieving shift, and advised that before anything was done the ground should be made safe. Angwin, accompanied by Wil- liams and a trucker named Hender- son, at once repaired to the place, and he decided that the first thing to be done was to bring down the ground round the crack. He was preparing a plug of dyna mite to put in the crack, when he, apparently, noticed the ground coming away. He shouted, 'Look out! She's coming!' and he tried to jump into a safe place, but failed. A piece of rock struck him on the shoulder and head and apparently killed him on the spot, for though thrown clear of the fall he never moved again. Williams apparently heard his boss' warning shout, and he also tried to jump into safety, but unfortunately failed by a couple of feet. A heavy rock which followed the piece which struck Angwin fell across the lower part of his body and pinned him down. Those who have seen the place since are unable to understand how a man named Henderson man- aged to escape. Though he did not sustain even a scratch his shirt was pulled out. He was standing beside Angwin preparing the clay for the shot, and his escape is looked upon as providential.
The moment the ground fell the men who were close by ran to the assistance of their stricken mates. When they picked Angwin up they found he was beyond aid, so they devoted all their attention to Wil- liams. Though he realised that he was very badly and, probably, mor- tally injured, he displayed great for- titude and explained what had oc- curred. The stone which was pin- ning him down was a heavy and awkward one to lift, and it took, probably, 20 minutes to -release him. He was then carried to the plat, where he collapsed. Several Boul- der doctors had been rung up, and Dr. Irwin. who was the first to ar rive, made an examination. He could not hold out any hope as he thought Williams had been so seri- ously injured internally that he could not long survive. While be ing hurried to Nurse Egan's Hos pital he died.
Angwin was a single man and lived with his mother near Golden Gate. He was a native of Wal- laroo, where he started mining, and his experience since has extended over the principal mining fields of Australia. Williams was a Bendigo native, a married man. with five young children. For several years past the world has not been treat- ing him indulgently. He was badly injured in one of the local mines and was unable to follow his occu- pation for over two years. He de- veloped miners' complaint, and in order to avert going below again he tried his fortune at various modes of livelihood, but his earnings were scanty and precarious, and to pro- vide for a helpless growing family he was at length compelled to re- turn to a mode of livelihood which, at the very best, as he well knew, would, if persisted in, shorten his days. He paid up his union dues a few days before his tragic death.
The coroner (Mr. W. A. G. Wal- ter) and a jury opened an inquest on Saturday. After the scene of the accident had been inspected, the coroner adjourned the inquiry till Friday next at 11.30 The remains of the two men were committed to the grave yesterday afternoon. The funerals were timed to start at the one hour, but not to the same cemetery. The mine officials and men subscribed for wreaths, and sent one to each family. The staff ar ranged that the manager, Mr. Waite, and Mr. George Tynan- shift boss, should represent the company at Angwin's funeral, while the under ground manager, Mr. A. Heine, and Mr. Joseph Polmear, shift boss, should perform a like duty at the funeral of the other late employee. Both funerals were largely attend- ed. Angwin was connected with the L.O.L., and a large muster of the brethren assembled to pay a last tribute to the memory of a departed friend. The deceased was laid to rest in the Kalgoorlie cemetery. The Rev. A. W. Bray read the burial service. A large muster of members of the Miners' Union marched be- fore the hearse which conveyed Wil- liams remains to the Boulder ceme tery. Senator Needham marched with the executive. The pall-bear- ers were, selected from the committee of the Boulder branch of the union. The Rev. A. J. Moyle read the burial service. Both funerals were conducted by Messrs. Goss and Co.

1911 'Advertising', The Evening Star, 20 May, p. 2.
FUNERAL NOTICES
The Friends of Mrs. ANNA ANGWIN are respectfully informed that the remains of her late beloved youngest Son (James Henry Angwin) who lost his life in the Eclipse G.M., will be re- moved from her residence (near Golden Gate Railway Station), at 3 p.m. TOMORROW (SUNDAY, MAY 21, 1911), for interment in the Methodist portion of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. I.W. Goss and Co., undertakers, Piesse st., Boulder, 'Phone100

The Friends of Mr. and Mrs. THOS. ANGWIN are respectfully informed that the remains of their late beloved Brother (James Henry) will be re- moved from his late residence near Golden Gate Station, at 3 p.m. TO- MORROW (SUNDAY, MAY 21, 1911), for interment in the Methodist portion of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.

The Friends of RICHARD, JOHN and EDWARD ANGWIN are respect- fully notified that the remains of their late beloved Brother (James Henry) will be removed from his late residence, near Golden Gate Station, at 3 p.m. TOMORROW (SUNDAY)for inter- ment in the Methodist portion of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.

The Friends of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. SCADDON are invited to follow the re- mains of their late beloved Brother (James Henry Angwin), which is ap- pointed to be removed from his late residence, near Golden Gate Railway Station, at 3 p.m. TO-MORROW (SUNDAY) for the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.

Members of the Orange Institution are requested to attend the funeral of their late brother (James Henry Ang- win), which will leave his late resi- dence, near Golden Gate Railway Sta- tion, at 3 p.m. TOMORROW (SUN- DAY) for the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. By order, W.M.

1911 'THE BOULDER ABATTOIRS', Coolgardie Miner, 22 May, p. 2.
THE BOULDER ABATTOIRS ANOTHER KILLING
WHO IS TO BLAME
WHO PAYS THE COST
KALGOORLlE, Sunday.
At an early hour on Saturday morn- ing, a fall of earth took place at the Eclipse mine, Kalaroo, resulting in the death of two miners, Harry Angwin (shift boss), and Benjamin Wiliams. The men were preparing to bring away a quantity of loose earth from the hanging wall in the No. 6 level, when a mass of earth estimated at about 40 tons came away unexpectedly. Angwin was completely buried, and some hours elapsed before his body could be recovered. Williams was pinned to the ground by a huge rock, and when rescued was still alive, but the unfortunate man expired while being conveyed to the hospital. An inquest was opened yesterday morning before the Coroner (Mr. W. A. G. Walters, R.M.) and a jury. After formal evidence had been given, the enquiry was adjourned until the 26th inst.

1911 'DECEASED PERSONS' ESTATES', Kalgoorlie Miner, 9 June, p. 5.
DECEASED PERSONS’ ESTATE
James Henry Angwin (otherwise James Angwin), late of Kallaroo, near Boulder, miner, to Edward Angwin £1287.