Warren Vale Colliery Disaster
The Background
On 20th December, 1851, 52 men and boys were killed in an explosion at Warren Vale Colliery Rawmarsh. The colliery was owned by Earl Fitzwilliam and worked by Messrs J. and J. Charlesworth.
It appears that about ten minutes before 6 a.m. on 20th December, 1851. Mr. Silvester, the underground steward, went into the pit, as usual, to examine the state of the workings. One or two men went down with him, and he was followed shortly afterwards by the whole body of miners employed.
In what state he found the pit is not known. It would appear. that everything was alright, as Mr. Silvester did not stop the pit working.The men and boys had gone down, and everything seemed to be proceeding in the usual manner.
The precise number of men in the pit was believed to be not less than 73. The number of men directly employed by Messrs. Charlesworth was 32, but nearly all these had men and boys employed under them. continued »
