Newspaper Extracts
Warren Vale Colliery Disaster
December, 1851
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.
Rotherham, Saturday afternoon
It is our mournful duty to record another colliery explosion - one of the most awful and fatal that has ever taken place in this neighbourhood. It has occurred at Warren Vale pit, at Rawmarsh, two miles from Rotherham, the property of Earl Fitzwilliam, and worked by Messrs. J. and J. Charlesworth, the leases of many collieries in the Yorkshire coal district.
It appears that about ten minutes before 6 o'clock this morning 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, for he has not been seen since, and it is believed he is among those who have perished. It appears, however, that he did not find the pit in such a condition as to induce him to stop the working, for the men and boys had generally gone down, and everything seemed to be proceeding in the usual mode. The precise number of men in the pit has not been ascertained; it is 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.
To outward appearance, everything went on as usual until a few minutes before 7 o'clock. At that time, not only those near the pit, but the whole neighbourhood, were astounded and horrified by an explosion like that of a volcano. Smoke and flame burst from the mouth of the pit in an appalling volume. Two corves which were being drawn out of the pit were projected upwards with volcanic force, and lodged in the gearing over the shaft. A great quantity of coals, stones, and other matter, which had been carried high into the air, fell in so dense a shower that the persons employed near the pit mouth were compelled to take shelter under the platform of the tipplers for loading the carts; and it was only by this precaution, that they escaped fatal injuries.
The country all round the pit was blackened to a distance of three-quarters of a mile by the descent of the dust and smoke. The effect of the explosion in this respect may be judged of from the fact, that the face of a man who was standing at his cottage door two fields-lengths from the pit was blackened as if he had been working in the pit itself.
The report of the explosion was heard at a distance of three miles. The whole country round was filled with consternation, and crowds of persons hastened to the place.
As soon as it was possible the damaged gearing of the shaft was repaired, so as to enable men to descend the pit, which is 127 yards deep.
By half past 9 o'clock 14 persons had been got out alive, but all more or less injured. These had been enabled, after the explosion, to make their way to the bottom of the shaft, and avail themselves of the first opportunity of ascending.
Up to half-past 3 there had been extricated 24 persons alive, and 15 dead bodies. Of the living 15 had happily escaped sufficiently well to be able to render assistance and information. Nine were so severely injured, that it is feared several of them cannot recover, as they have not only been dreadfully burnt, but sustained fractures and other injuries of a dangerous character. Three of the injured men have been sent to the Sheffield Infirmary. Of those who are killed, some of the bodies present a most shocking spectacle, being so dreadfully mutilated as to make identification almost impossible.
Of the killed, the following have been identified:
James Purselove, aged 14, Henry Purselove, aged 12, John Hartley, John Walton, William Froggatt, John Whyke, alias Barstow, Abraham Thompson, George Sellars, John Hartley, - Siddons, and William Barnes.
Among the dangerously hurt are:
Joseph Bownes, ? Bownce, Timothy Tinsley, John Harrison, Jonathan Sellars, Abraham Auty, and James Oates, all of Rawmarsh, George Linley, of Upper Hague, and Eli Barker, of Rose-hill.
The following have been mercifully preserved, with but comparatively little injury:-
Charles Burgin, John James, William Dodson, Thomas Hague, Mark Hague, Joseph Cooper, John Shaw, Thomas Shaw, Charles King, Samuel Peace, Joseph Hobson, Richard Walker, William Harrison, and William Barraclough.
The number still in the pit, there is too much reason to believe, is from 30 to 40, and the terrible conviction prevails that they cannot possibly have survived.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon measures were being taken under the direction of Mr. Goodison, the viewer of Earl Fitzwilliam, Mr. Sellars, the manager, Mr. Cooper, underground steward of Earl Fitzwilliam, and other experienced persons, to throw into the pit a current of fresh air, so as to make it possible further to explore the workings and search the places where the bodies of the unfortunate miners are believed to be.
The scene in the neighbourhood is of the most heartrending description. "Mourning, lamentation, and woe" prevail among those who can give no help, while those who can render aid labour with a degree of zeal and self-devotion which merit far greater praise than words can convey.
Men who come out of the pit sinking from exhaustion, the combined effect of the labour and foul air, are eager, as soon as they are in some degree restored, again to descend, at the peril of their lives, to aid the less fortunate.
The injured men have been conveyed to their own homes, or more convenient places. The dead bodies have generally been conveyed to the neighbouring public-houses. At the Star Inn no less than nine bodies lie.
The supposed cause of the accident is a fall of a portion of the roof of the pit, stopping the usual current of ventilation, liberating a large quantity of foul air, and forcing it into the parts where miners were working with candles.
It appears that this is a new pit, which has not been worked more than 12 months.
We shall not venture to give currency to any rumours or conjectures which are indulged in on such occasions as the present. All the circumstances of this awful event will be fully investigated, and we would fain hope that the multiplication of these calamities will produce on the part of persons connected with collieries such a degree of care as to secure more efficient safeguards.
Saturday Evening
The return of our reporter from the scene of this fearful calamity enables us to give some further particulars.
The colliery consists of two pits near together. The deeper pit, of 127 yards, works the nine foot seam. The other pit, 90 yards deep, works the five foot seam. These two pits are connected by a shaft through the five-foot seam down to the nine foot - an air-furnace being connected with the shaft of the five foot pit, so as to create an up-draught.
The explosion took place in the northern part of the workings of the deeper seam, but communicated by the shaft of the upper seam. The force of the explosion may be judged from the fact that the corve ascending the deeper shaft, which was loaded with 16 cwt. of coal, was projected into the air, and the coal fell around on every side like the cinders from a volcano. An empty descending corve in the other shaft was thrown out of the pit, and fell a considerable distance. The fire cage at the mouth of the pit was knocked to pieces, and several men were thrown down, but, happily, were not seriously injured.
Eli. Barber, and a party of about 16, were working in the southern portion of the mine when the explosion took place. They were hastening to the pit shaft, when they encountered the after-damp, from the effects of which they were found almost insensible, when James Froggatt and some other colliers descended, and rescued them in a very exhausted state.
One of the number, named Joseph Cooper, had actually reached the pit shaft, and had climbed by the conductors a considerable distance up the shaft. Of the party thus rescued, two were so much injured that they have since died.
Of those enumerated above as seriously injured, William Barraclough and Timothy Tinsley are since dead. Three other dead bodies have been got out of the pit since our former account, viz. - John Garrick, George Hague, and George Knapton.
It is reported that on Friday the pit was in good working order, with satisfactory ventilation.
Between 7 and 8 o'clock the fire-engines from Rotherham proceeded to the pit to pump in water, in order to aid in restoring the ventilation. All the air-gates and other apparatus for directing the currents of air through the pit had been destroyed by the force of the explosion.
Sunday Night
The search for the bodies of the sufferers by this dreadful calamity was continued during last night and to-day. The numbers of dead bodies recovered now from the pit amounts to 49, 2 or 3 others yet remain in the pit, among whom is Thomas Silvester, the fire-trier.
The search has been carried throughout the workings, and it is concluded that the bodies which have not yet been found are buried beneath a mass of the roof which has fallen in at the northern extremity of the working, and which was no doubt the cause of the explosion. The men who were in the pit at the time, but who escaped without injury, speak most confidently as to the satisfactory ventilation of the pit previous to the explosion.
The following is a correct list of the dead:
William Bownes, Joshua Roberts, Abraham Cooper, Thomas Burgin, Joseph Bugg, Benjamin Lang, Henry James, Charles Cousins, Thomas Johnson, Henry Thompson, William Ashton, Henry Ward, Thomas Farmer, Abraham Thompson, William Barraclough, Joseph Frith, James Purselove, Henry Purselove, John Hartley, John Walton, William Froggatt, John Siddons, John Garnick, George Sellars, George Knapton, George Hague, Thomas Taylor, George Robinson, Benjamin Walker, Samuel Siddons, James Roberts, William Cooper, Henry Goddard, John Purselove, John Thompson, John Cooper, Thomas Silvester, and Thomas Whitehead.
There are 10 other bodies so dreadfully mutilated as to render identity impossible.
Mr. Morton, the Government Inspector, is expected to visit the scene of the accident tomorrow.
Monday evening
Up to the time of the telegraphic despatch yesterday 49 bodies had been taken out of the pit, and it was thought that 2 or 3 others yet remained there. The search has been continued with the greatest care, and only one other body, that of Thomas Sylvester, the fire-trier, has since been found. The body of Sylvester was blown to pieces, and the fragments scattered about the pit.
One of the men had a most singular escape. After the explosion he made his way to the bottom of the shaft, and, in a desperate effort to escape from the after-damp, by which he was then almost overcome, climbed by the conductors several yards up the shaft to a small recess in the wall. He was then so much exhausted, and suffered so much from the after-damp, that it was only by placing his mouth to a crevice in the wall, through which the water oozed, that he was kept alive. He had not been many minutes in this position before the rope and "chair" were lowered from the top of the shaft. This he seized, and was one of the first that were drawn up.
In my yesterday's despatch I informed you that 10 of the bodies were so dreadfully mutilated that they had not then been identified. To-day the anxious relatives and friends of the parties had been engaged in examining the mutilated remains, and the names of the whole of the sufferers are now known. In some cases, the only means of by which the bodies could be identified were the buttons on the clothes. In one case, the clothes and body were so much burnt that the identity was only established by the buckle of a leather belt worn round the waist. There were 1 or 2 inaccuracies in the names, as furnished yesterday: appended is a complete list:-
List of those Killed
Timothy Tinsley, Rawmarsh,,William Bownes, Rawmarsh, J. Purselove, 41 Rawmarsh; J. Purselove, 14 and H. Purselove, 12 (sons); J. Hartley, 31, Rawmarsh, J. Walton junior, 14, Rawmarsh, W. Froggatt, 12 Rawmarsh, W. Garnett, alias Whyke, 41, Rawmarsh; J. Siddons, 21, Lee Brook, Wentworth; J. Johnson, 15, Lane Head; W. Schofield, 26, Lane Head; T. Sylvester junior, 19, Thorpe; G. Sellers, 11, Pinch Row, Swinton(his father injured); G. Hague, 32, Rawmarsh; J. Shepherd, 21, Rawmarsh; Thos Taylor, 27, Upper Haugh; G. Robinson, 23, Rawmarsh; B. Walker, 55, Rawmarsh; S. Siddons, 29, Rawmarsh; W. Cooper. 31, Rawmarsh; H. Goddard, 30, Thorpe; J. Thompson, 31, Rawmarsh; James Roberts, 16, Joseph Roberts junior, 14 (son of Joseph Roberts) labourer; A. Cooper, 41, Kilnhurst; J. Cooper, 16 (son), T. Burgin, Rawmarsh; J. Bugg, 40, Lane Head; B. Lane, Rawmarsh; H. James, 36, Mount Pleasant, Wath; C. Cousins, 35, Pinch Row, Swinton; G. Cousins, 11 (son); T. Johnson, 31, Rawmarsh; H. Thompson, 37, Thorpe; W. Ashton, 13, Rawmarsh; H. Ward, 26, Rawmarsh; T. Farmery, 26, Upper Haugh; H. Lee, 27, Upper Haugh; T. Knapton, 37, Rawmarsh; J. Knapton, 16, (son) J. Westerman, 16, Rawmarsh; W. Hobson, 20, Thorpe; T. Whithead, Rawmarsh; R. Robinson, 18, Rawmarsh; and T. Sylvester, Rawmarsh, (the fire trier)
These 44 bodies were taken to The Star Inn Rawmarsh.
George Knapton, George Hague and John Garnick were later found dead
The following 6 lie at their homes:
A. Thompson, 27, Upper Haugh; J. Frith, junior, 11, Rose Hill; G. Knapton, 51, Rawmarsh; E. Bigg, 27, Rawmarsh; W. Barraclough, 19, Hooton Roberts (son of C. Barraclough the banksman); and W. Bownes, 18 Rawmarsh (an orphan).
Escaped comparatively uninjured:
C. Burgin, J. James, W. Dodson, T. Hague, J. Cooper, J. Shaw, T. Shaw, C. King, S. Pearce, J. Hobson, R. Walker, Matthew Hague, Mark Hague and W. Harrison.
Seriously Injured
Joseph Bownes, Rawmarsh, Jonathan Sellars, Rawmarsh, Abraham Auty, Rawmarsh, James Oates, Rose Hill, Eli Barker, Upper Haugh, George Linley, Rawmarsh, John Harrison, Rawmarsh.
Subscription Commenced
A subscription has been commenced by the Rev. Mr. Mahon, incumbent of Rawmarsh, in aid of the widows and orphans of the men who perished by the explosion on Saturday last, when 50 lives were lost. Messrs. Charlesworth, the leases of the colliery, have given £250., and Mr. J.C.D. Charlesworth £50. There is perhaps no district of similar extent in any portion of the kingdom which has been the scene of such frequent disasters and involving so great a sacrifice of life as the tract of country comprised within a circuit of five miles of Rawmarsh. To go back only ten years, we find that during this comparatively short period five accidents have occurred, by which an aggregate of 263 lives have been sacrificed.
In July, 1841, for instance, 50 lives were lost at Masborough by the capsizing of a boat; in November, of the same year, 15 men and boys were killed by an explosion in Mount Osborne coalpit, Barnsley; in January, 1847, six lives were lost by an accident in the Darley Main colliery, Worsborough Dale; in the following March, 78 men, working in the Oaks pit, near Barnsley, met with almost instant death from an explosion of firedamp, the force of which was so terrific that stones were projected out of the shaft, which is 283 yards deep, to a height of about 40 yards into the air; in January, 1849, another explosion occurred at Worsborough Dale, and within two miles of the former one, by which 75 lives were lost; and, lastly, the explosion at Warren Vale by which 50 human beings have perished. Almost the whole of these calamities have arisen from firedamp explosions.
Adjourned Inquest 31st December 1851
Continued - Mr. Morton having explained the cause of the explosion went on to suggest what precautions would be necessary to prevent the recurrence of such a disastrous event, which, perhaps, being applicable to mines in general, are worth special attention. He said, - "It will be needful in future, when a new bank is opened out, to light it for some time entirely with safety lamps until the roof has become freely broken down. It is reasonable to conclude that if the No 3 bank, which was comparatively a new one, had been worked with safety lamps, the recent calamity might have been avoided. The trap doors have hitherto been only single in this pit; they ought to be double, so as to prevent leakage of air. The supply of fresh air at present is conveyed around this pit in one current only, but it will be needful here long to divide it into 2 or more separate streams, by which the total quantity of air will be greatly augmented; all obstructions in the airways and shafts, such as corves and cages, should be removed at night, and cages with open grating instead of solid bottoms are always preferable. It is dangerous to continue the goafs of this pit in their present stagnant condition, and in future it will be much safer to allow a portion of fresh air to pass through them and thus prevent them from being what they are now, extensive gas holders. It is well known that several of the great explosions during the last few years at Haswell and around Barnsley have been more or less augmented by, if they have not originated in, the pent-up firedamp of the goafs. Any future emergency in this pit - and we know not how soon it may come - must in my judgement be met either by greatly increased ventilation or by the exclusive use of the safety lamp. It is not difficult, if fairly attempted, to triple the quantity of air now passing through this mine by a modification of the existing ventilating arrangements. The airways are at present sufficiently large, their sectional area being from 30 to 50 square feet. The staple pit which connects the thick coal works with the ventilating furnace is too small in diameter, its sectional area being less than that of the underground air roads. The smallest diameter of this staple pit is six feet, and it should be increased to nine feet at least. The furnace ought to be entirely removed from the five feet mint into the thick coal below, and the present downcast shaft converted into an up cast, and vice versa. According to existing arrangements, the up cast column is not only the smallest in diameter but the shortest in length, and to make the ventilation effective these conditions should be completely reversed. At the same time it will be advisable to sink a new air pit, which might hereafter be used as a drawing shaft, from the surface down to five feet mine, at or near the face of the north-west levels in the seam, for the purpose of airing the five feet works separately. Eventually the thick coal shaft, which is of ample diameter and about twice the depth of the other pit, would become the up cast for the whole system. As the thick coal is now known to disengage suddenly abundant feeders of inflammable gas, it will be safer in future to exclude as much as possible naked lights from the return airways, and to avoid passing the return air over the furnace. The proposed new furnace in the thick coal may be supplied with fresh air only, and the ventilated and gaseous atmosphere of the mine may be passed up an inclined drift into the up cast shaft without coming in contact with the flames at all. I feel quite satisfied that those recommendations and suggestions, if carried into effect, would greatly tend to improve the general condition and safety of this mine, and I am equally satisfied that Messrs. Charlesworth, with advantage to themselves as well as to the workmen, will act wisely in adopting them. I ought, in justice to them, to say that they possess the power and also the inclination to carry into effect the suggested reforms and improvements in their works, and I have every reason to believe, from the manifestations which I have seen of Messrs. Charlesworth's wish and anxiety to avoid accidents in their pits, that they will, as early as practicable, commence and gradually carry out some, and it may be all, of the suggestions which I have offered to-day, And, so far as my humble aid will tend to promote this very desirable object, I shall at all times be only too glad to afford it.
In reply to the Coroner and jury, Mr. Morton further stated he was clearly of opinion the explosion had been caused accidentally by the fall of the roof in No. 3 bank, which drove out the gas on the lights. If the ventilation were tripled it was possible a similar fall might produce a similar result, but in his opinion it would not have that effect.
Mr. Benjamin Byram, of Wentworth, mineral agent to Earl Fitzwilliam for nearly 20 years, said that he, with Mr. Morton, Mr. T.D. Jeffcock, Mr. Locke, Mr. Webster, and other gentlemen, inspected the new nine feet pit at the Warren Vale colliery yesterday, for the purpose of ascertaining the origin of the explosion, and that they found strong evidence that the fire had extended through nearly the whole of the workings. From the state of the third bank, from the direction which the blast appeared to have taken from that point, he was decidedly of opinion that the first ignition of the gas was in the third bank. Although he agreed fully with the excellent evidence of Mr. Morton as to the want of caution in the men being allowed to descend with and immediately after the fireman, he was still of opinion that he might have gone down, returned to the surface, and reported the pit safe, and the accident still might have happened from the falling of the roof after the men had got to work. He thought the quantity of air circulating through the pit yesterday was quite enough for a mine of such limited extent. Where the area of the passage was six feet nine inches by seven feet six inches, the lineal velocity of the air was 250ft per minute, equal to 11,400 cubic feet. In material points he concurred with the evidence of Mr. Morton.
The witness stated he could not impute criminal blame to anybody, but was of opinion there had been a general laxity of discipline in examining and reporting on the state of the pit, arising from the opinion that there was no inflammable gas in it. The slackening of the furnace at night could not have caused any considerable accumulation of gas in the airways.
Mr. T.D.Jeffcock, general colliery surveyor, of Sheffield; Mr. C. Locke, of Snapethorpe, mineral surveyor; and Mr.R.C. Webster, colliery viewer for Mr. Day, of Durham, concurred in all particulars with the statements and evidence of Mr. Morton and Mr. Byram.
In the course of the inquiry a juror asked Mr. Morton whether he had power to descend and examine all the coal-pits in his district.
Mr. Morton said undoubtedly he had that power, but if he was to begin now it would occupy him 2 or 3 years unremittingly to make a personal inspection of all those pits. His whole time was pretty near taken up by occasions like this.
The Coroner remarked that under the act of Parliament of the session of 1840 there were only 4 inspectors of mines appointed, and experience had proved that the number was decidedly too low. Mr. Morton, for instance, had about 2,000 or 3,000 coal pits in his district, which consisted of the counties of York, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Warwick. The Coroner further observed that it was his intention to confer with Government with a view to the appointment of additional inspectors, in order that there might be an occasional anticipatory examination of mines, without which it would be impossible to prevent calamitous accidents.
The Coroner read a note from Mr. W.B. Wrightson, M.P., of Cusworth, announcing his willingness to contribute £25 towards the fund for the relief of the sufferers by this explosion.
At the close of evidence Mr. Charlesworth rose and said, the jury would probably wish to know what part he and his partners took in the management of the colliery. The fact was that, having a number of collieries, some of them situated at considerable distances from each other, a personal superintendence was impracticable. That being so, they gave their orders to Mr. Goodison (in whom they had reposed the greatest confidence), that the ventilation should be well attended to, and that the safety of the mines should be sedulously taken care of. They (the proprietors) take as much interest in the safety of the mine - and they wished the miners to know it - as they would in the welfare of their own children, and in doing that they considered that they did no more than their duty. This was certainly a most melancholy affair, and in pursuance of the suggestions made by different gentlemen who had given evidence to-day, and what he heard before the coroner at the opening of the inquest, they had already issued orders to their men that no one should be allowed to descend till the works had been reported safe, and had determined that the discipline of the pit should be strictly observed, as far as it lay in their power to enforce it. He could only say, in conclusion, that any suggestions and any reasonable alterations that Mr. Morton, Mr. Byram, or any practical men in whom he had confidence might be pleased to name, the proprietors would be very glad to carry out as far as practicable. It was their intention also to call in competent viewers to view not only their pits at Rawmarsh, but to go with their viewer (Mr. Goodison) to see that the pits in the Wakefield and Barnsley district were in a state of good and proper ventilation; and if Mr. Morton would accompany them the proprietors would be very glad to see him at the same time.
Mr. Morton. - Oh yes, with pleasure.
Mr. Charlesworth added that he was very glad to have had the opportunity of hearing the evidence given to-day by Mr. Morton and Mr. Byram, and he wished to thank publicly both rich and poor who gave their valuable aid on this melancholy occasion. If he were to mention names he should have to mention the whole population of the district.
There being no other witnesses for examination the inquest was then adjourned to Friday.
The Verdict
The Coroner and Jury assembled at The Star Inn, and proceeded to view the bodies of the other 2 victims of this catastrophe. This addition swells the number of dead to 52.
Timothy Tinsley junior, aged 19 died on Wednesday night and George Sindley of Upper Haugh aged 23, died yesterday (Thursday).
The following evidence was taken:
William Gascoyne of Greasbrough, miner at Earl Fitzwilliams colliery at Swallow Wood, said:
'I was sent for on the morning of the explosion to assist in getting bodies out of the pit. As soon as I got there Mr. Goodison ordered me and Joseph Cawthorne to conduct the air to the far end of the levels. We did so and helped to find 13 bodies. I brought up the pit shaft in my arms no less than 37 bodies. There were in bad condition. I was there 18 hours without a rest.'
Mr. Sellars, colliery manager was recalled and stated that the area of coal got at the pit was 2 acres 2 roods and 15 perches, and the quantity in measure was 32,566 tons of coal and slack.
Mr. Badger, the Coroner, then proposed to read the whole of the evidence to the Jury.
At half past one, the room was cleared for the Jury to deliberate upon their verdict.
The Jury returned at half past four with the following verdict:
We find that 52 men and boys were accidently killed by an explosion of fire damp in the Warren Vale Colliery, in the Parish of Rawmarsh, in the occupation of Messrs. Charlesworth.
The verdict was accompanied by the following remarks:
They expressed their strong disapprobation of the loose manner in which the works appear to have been conducted at the pit. They further regard the instructions hitherto given to the men quite inadequate to the proper supervision and safe working of it. It is desirable that their should be some stringent rules and regulations at every colliery for the better and safer working of the coal mines, and the proprietor ought to be held by the legislature responsible for the efficiency of their agents and superintendents.
They expressed their thanks to Mr. Morton, the government inspector, Mr. Biram and other witnesses for their valuable evidence.
Source: The Times
