Cadeby Pit Disaster of 1912
The Home Office Inquiry
6th August, 1912
Mr. Redmayne asked Mr. Gichard, the colliery company's solicitor if he was prepared to admit that the gob streak was not reported to the management.
Mr. Gichard said he could not admit that.
Mr. Redmayne announced he must call evidence to prove it.
James Springthorpe, deputy in the south district in which the explosion occurred was asked if, when the workings were examined, the report was handed in immediately.
The witness told that the report was not made until the end of the shift. The report books were kept at the pit bottom and were consulted by deputies when the went on duty. Mr. Springthorpe had to retire, he lost a son in the disaster and was unable to continue.
Joseph Farmer, greaser, said that when the disaster took place, he was a mile away, on the east side. About 2 in the morning he was told that dust had been reported in the levels, and a man named Humphreys mentioned that the air was reversing.
He went 200 yards down the plane and found lids and various coverings across the rails. The dust was as black as ink. There were signs of considerable violence. Tubs had been blown to bits.
About 6 o'clock Mr. Bury, manager of the colliery, went down the pit alone and tested the return air. He gave instructions to Mr. Farmer to allow no one to pass, whether they had apparatus for life saving or not. After the explosion 40 or 50 men were involved in rescue work. It would have been better with less.
William Humphries, road layer, stated that after the disaster, he found between 50 and 60 tubs smashed to atoms. Knowing 2 men were at 19, Crossgate, he went there and found a fall, on the other side was a dead body.
When he saw the Manager, nothing was said as to the possible cause of the explosion. No mention was made of a gob fire. A deputy had told him on the Sunday preceding the accident, that there was gob odour around.
Asked by Mr. Smith why he did not telephone from the pit bottom immediately he knew something was wrong. The witness said that had he telephoned, he would not have got a reply as he did not know the code signals.
Mr. Redmayne asked if Code Signals were not posted up at the pit. The witness said he had never seen one. He went on to say that from 2 until 4 a.m. he and others did what they thought best, without any communication with officials.
George Fisher, senior deputy of the West District, stated he was unaware there was a gob fire in the south district. He tested for gas after the explosion, and got a cap on his lamp which went out.
In reply to a question, the colliery company's solicitor stated that when the management had penetrated the affected portion of the mine and recovered the 14 bodies still there - Mr. Redmayne would have notice of the position in which the bodies were found.
Mr. Redmayne said that he would require an intimation whenever it was done, and a report on the books found and the position of the bodies. An inspector would be there to take notes, and he would visit the place himself.
Mr. Smith said representatives of the Yorkshire Miner's Association would like to be there when the seals were broken.
Mr. Chambers, said he would raise no objection if the inspector allowed them to accompany him.
When Fisher has finished giving evidence, Mr. Redmayne congratulated him for his plucky conduct. He also congratulated Mr. Harry Hulley.
William Slater, miner stated on the 5th July the south district was filled with gas. He said the smell of gob odour was bad in the south district 2 days before the explosion.
Mr. Redmayne said that he would call a doctor as to the cause of death, which was of great importance to the inquiry.
A filler, Mr. Barnbrook told of men being carried out through being gassed. He himself became unconscious. Mr. Smith told the inquiry there was another witness who could state that even deputies were gassed in that district.
The inquiry was adjourned. Continued »
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