Cadeby Pit Disaster of 1912

Coroners Inquiry

Mr. Frank Allen, Coroner for the Doncaster District, opened an inquiry on 10th July, on the bodies of 5 men, two of which were not identified. The Coroner said he had called the jury together that day simply to establish the identification of the bodies of the three men which had been claimed by their relatives.

Mr. W. Wilson, a timber merchant of Conisborough, a member of the jury, expressed the sympathy of the people of Conisborough. He said that there were bright patches even in the darkest calamities, and he thought the brightest part of this disaster was the magnificent way in which volunteers came and offered to go down the mine, even after the second explosion. His son had told him quite an army of volunteers offered their services.

Mr. A. Moody, another juryman told of remarkable instances of heroism. William Davis had got out of the pit safely on finishing his work, and offered to join the rescue party. His offer was accepted and he went down. In five minutes he was dead.

The Coroner told the inquiry that he had known about one third of those who had lost their lives, from the Chief Inspector of Mines to pit boys.

The story of a remarkable escape was told by Sergeant Winch, a member of the first rescue party, who lost many comrades. He told how he felt a puff of air and fell to the ground, where he remained with his face close to the earth while the blast passed over him. He then cautiously made his way out of the danger zone.

Another rescuer owed his life to the respiratory apparatus he was carrying.

The inquiry was adjourned until the 23rd July.

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