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Midlothian, 12th September 1955. Report number Cmnd 205. 32 injured.
An haulage accident which occurred in the Sea Dook man-riding haulage at Newcraighall colliery, Midlothian, on 12th September, 1955, when 32 of the 65 persons being transported suffered shock or injuries. In no case did the injuries prove fatal.
Newcraighall Colliery is situated near the eastern boundary of the City and Royal Burgh of Edinburgh, and on the west side of the Edge Coals of the Lothian coalfield. The upcast or inclined dook, with a varying gradient of 63 degrees to 70 degrees to the horizontal, was driven in 1889 and the vertical shaft or downcast was sunk in 1910 to a depth of 811 feet. The dook has an average cross-section of 14 feet wide by 7 feet high and the shaft is 16 feet in diameter.
The output is about 800 tons of coal per day and 640 persons are employed below ground and 145 on the surface.
Report by W. Widdas Divisional HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
South Yorkshire, 15th November, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 7 dead
Barrow Colliery, Worsborough, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, where on the 15th of November, through the oscillation of the ascending-cage and its collision with two girders in the No. 3 or Fan Shaft, seven men were thrown to the bottom of the shaft and killed.
The Barrow Colliery shaft accident was due to the carelessness of the hanger-on, Weldrick, in signalling the cage away when the drop-sheet was down on the lower deck of the cage.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Glamorganshire, 12th April 1962. Report number Cmnd 1850. 9 dead & 9 injured
The explosion resulted from the ignition of inflammable gas in the MC3 heading. The igniting source was arcing resulting from a short circuit to earth in a newly inserted length of cable serving the electrical equipment in the heading, and occurred on the inside of a loop in the cable where it had been bent back on itself in order to connect it up to the switch in the heading. I think it highly likely that the short circuit was directly due to the insulation of the cable having been weakened as a result of the acute bending to which it had been subjected in making the connection to the switch.
A verdict was recorded that all nine had 'died as a result of multiple injuries accidentally received in an explosion in the MC3 road at Tower Colliery'.
Report by C Leigh Divisional HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Glamorganshire, Tuesday, 14th October, 1913. Report number Cd. 7346. 439 dead
The explosion, which in point of loss of life constitutes the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining happened at about 8.10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 14th October 1913.
The number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one man lost his life on the day following the explosion whilst engaged in work at the fire on the main west level, being killed by a fall of stone.
There is strong probability of the explosion having originated on the Mafeking Incline, and that it was preceded by an occurrence similar to that which took place further outbye in the Mafeking Return in October, 1910, namely, by heavy falls liberating a large volume of gas. These heavy falls exposed seams of coal and beds of hard rock, and an outburst of gas may have come away at one of them. The only apparent means of ignition would be sparks from the electric signalling apparatus, or from rocks brought down from the fall, and we know that explosions have been originated by both these causes. The only other possible means of ignition were safety lamps or matches. The difficulty in regard to the former is that no lamp was found in the place, and even were a broken lamp found under a fall there would be the inference that it may have been broken by the fall. There were however, lamps lower down the hard heading, but there is no evidence pointing to any of them having been the igniting cause of the explosion. In respect of matches, as has already been stated, a rigorous search of the persons descending the mine was being carried out daily, and the possibility of a match being the igniting cause is remote.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, H.M. Chief Inspector
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original borrowed from a collection of disaster reports
Glamorganshire, Tuesday, 14th October, 1913. Report number Cd. 7346. 439 dead
The explosion, which in point of loss of life constitutes the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining happened at about 8.10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 14th October 1913.
The number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one man lost his life on the day following the explosion whilst engaged in work at the fire on the main west level, being killed by a fall of stone.
There is strong probability of the explosion having originated on the Mafeking Incline, and that it was preceded by an occurrence similar to that which took place further outbye in the Mafeking Return in October, 1910, namely, by heavy falls liberating a large volume of gas. These heavy falls exposed seams of coal and beds of hard rock, and an outburst of gas may have come away at one of them. The only apparent means of ignition would be sparks from the electric signalling apparatus, or from rocks brought down from the fall, and we know that explosions have been originated by both these causes. The only other possible means of ignition were safety lamps or matches. The difficulty in regard to the former is that no lamp was found in the place, and even were a broken lamp found under a fall there would be the inference that it may have been broken by the fall. There were however, lamps lower down the hard heading, but there is no evidence pointing to any of them having been the igniting cause of the explosion. In respect of matches, as has already been stated, a rigorous search of the persons descending the mine was being carried out daily, and the possibility of a match being the igniting cause is remote.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, H.M. Chief Inspector
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original borrowed from a collection of disaster reports
Yorkshire, 6th August 1936. Report number Cmd 5503. 58 dead.
An explosion occurred in the Wharncliffe Woodmoor Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Colliery about 3.15 a.m. on Thursday, 6th August, 1936, whereby 58 persons lost their lives.The two doors separating the intake airway known as 1's level from the main return airway were found wide open; short circuiting the airflow allowing firedamp to build up, electricians had been working on a commutator cover of the motor of the loader near the inbye end of 1's level was found on the floor and the cover of the starting switch of this motor was found to be loose pointing to electrical sparking as the explosive ingredient.
The Wharncliffe Woodmoor 1, 2 and 3 Colliery is situate some two miles north-north-west of Barnsley and adjoins the North Gawber (Lidgett) Colliery, where an explosion occurred in September, 1935. Both collieries are under the same control.
The Lidgett Seam, in which this explosion also occurred, is about two feet four inches thick and is reached by drifts from the Haigh Moor Seam some 34 yards above it. The depth from the surface to the Haigh Moor is about 280 yards at the shafts.
Report by Sir Henry Walker Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Falkirk, 25th September 1923. Report number Cmd 2136. 40 dead.
Inrush of water from old workings in a disused colliery.
This Colliery, owned by Messrs. James Nimmo & Company, Limited, is situated in the Parish of Grangemouth, about one mile west of Polmont Station, and is held under lease from the Duke of Hamilton. The Union Canal and the London & North Eastern Railway from Glasgow to Edinburgh run close together at this point, and the shafts lie between them. The two shafts fifty feet apart, are rectangular in shape and are both equipped with winding engines; No. 1 is 14 feet by 6 feet and No. 2 12½, feet by 5½ feet. Both are sunk to the Main Coal at a depth of 209 feet, passing through the Ball Coal at a depth of 171 feet.
Report by Sir Thomas. H. Mottram Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
South Yorkshire, 15th November, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 7 dead
Barrow Colliery, Worsborough, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, where on the 15th of November, through the oscillation of the ascending-cage and its collision with two girders in the No. 3 or Fan Shaft, seven men were thrown to the bottom of the shaft and killed.
The Barrow Colliery shaft accident was due to the carelessness of the hanger-on, Weldrick, in signalling the cage away when the drop-sheet was down on the lower deck of the cage.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Stirlingshire, 3rd February 1934. Report number Cmd 4617. 3 dead & 1 injured.
Methane explosion by sparking in a fan motor switch whilst starting the fan.
Report by E.H. Frazer Divisional HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Yorkshire, 23rd May 1924. Report number Cmd 2364. 4 dead & 2 injured.
The explosion was caused by firedamp gaining access to the interior of the reversing switch box of the coal cutting machine and there being ignited, flame thereafter passing out through the hole left by the omission of the set screw and igniting firedamp and air external to the box.
Report by Henry Walker Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Northumberland, 1st October 1951. Report number Cmd 9614. 5 dead.
An explosion in the 3rd East District of the Bensham Seam, at 6.45 a.m. on 1st October, 1951, when a deputy and four workmen lost their lives. The task of exploring the affected area and recovering the bodies of the victims developed into a very protracted operation, due to precautions which were taken to ensure safety following the discovery of unprecedented quantities of hydrogen gas in the atmosphere in the explosion area.
Weetslade Colliery is situated about seven miles to the North of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and adjoins Burradon Colliery, with which its workings are connected, but the two mines have separate systems of ventilation and are separately managed. Sunk in 1903, it is served by a shaft and a surface drift which are 200 yards apart. The former, which is the downcast, is 12 feet in diameter and is sunk to the Beaumont Seam at a depth of 1,140 feet, the coal winding level being at the Bensham Seam inset at a depth of 800 feet
Report by W. Brown Divisional HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Staffordshire, 2nd July 1937. Report number Cmd 5720. 30 dead & 8 injured.
Coalface fire followed by several methane explosions and one large explosion. 2 HM Inspectors killed.
Holditch Colliery, known locally as Brymbo Pit, is about two miles N.N.W. of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
The two shafts, No. 2, sunk in 1912, and No. 1, sunk in 1916, are approximately 2,000 ft. deep to the stone drifts from which the two working seams, the Great Row and the Four Feet, were reached
Report by F.H. Wynne Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Stirlingshire, 26th April 1895. Report number C.-7913.13 dead.
Explosion from an outburst / accumulation of methane in contact with a naked light.
Report by C.J. Guthrie ESQ
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Glamorganshire, Tuesday, 14th October, 1913. Report number Cd. 7346. 439 dead
The explosion, which in point of loss of life constitutes the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining happened at about 8.10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 14th October 1913.
The number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one man lost his life on the day following the explosion whilst engaged in work at the fire on the main west level, being killed by a fall of stone.
There is strong probability of the explosion having originated on the Mafeking Incline, and that it was preceded by an occurrence similar to that which took place further outbye in the Mafeking Return in October, 1910, namely, by heavy falls liberating a large volume of gas. These heavy falls exposed seams of coal and beds of hard rock, and an outburst of gas may have come away at one of them. The only apparent means of ignition would be sparks from the electric signalling apparatus, or from rocks brought down from the fall, and we know that explosions have been originated by both these causes. The only other possible means of ignition were safety lamps or matches. The difficulty in regard to the former is that no lamp was found in the place, and even were a broken lamp found under a fall there would be the inference that it may have been broken by the fall. There were however, lamps lower down the hard heading, but there is no evidence pointing to any of them having been the igniting cause of the explosion. In respect of matches, as has already been stated, a rigorous search of the persons descending the mine was being carried out daily, and the possibility of a match being the igniting cause is remote.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, H.M. Chief Inspector
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original borrowed from a collection of disaster reports
Glamorganshire, Tuesday, 14th October, 1913. Report number Cd. 7346. 439 dead
The explosion, which in point of loss of life constitutes the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining happened at about 8.10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 14th October 1913.
The number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one man lost his life on the day following the explosion whilst engaged in work at the fire on the main west level, being killed by a fall of stone.
There is strong probability of the explosion having originated on the Mafeking Incline, and that it was preceded by an occurrence similar to that which took place further outbye in the Mafeking Return in October, 1910, namely, by heavy falls liberating a large volume of gas. These heavy falls exposed seams of coal and beds of hard rock, and an outburst of gas may have come away at one of them. The only apparent means of ignition would be sparks from the electric signalling apparatus, or from rocks brought down from the fall, and we know that explosions have been originated by both these causes. The only other possible means of ignition were safety lamps or matches. The difficulty in regard to the former is that no lamp was found in the place, and even were a broken lamp found under a fall there would be the inference that it may have been broken by the fall. There were however, lamps lower down the hard heading, but there is no evidence pointing to any of them having been the igniting cause of the explosion. In respect of matches, as has already been stated, a rigorous search of the persons descending the mine was being carried out daily, and the possibility of a match being the igniting cause is remote.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, H.M. Chief Inspector
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original borrowed from a collection of disaster reports
Yorkshire, 23rd May 1924. Report number Cmd 2364. 4 dead & 2 injured.
The explosion was caused by firedamp gaining access to the interior of the reversing switch box of the coal cutting machine and there being ignited, flame thereafter passing out through the hole left by the omission of the set screw and igniting firedamp and air external to the box.
Report by Henry Walker Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Leicestershire, 18th November, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 1 dead & 15 Injured.
Rawdon Colliery, Moira, Leicestershire, where on the 18th of November, through the racing of the winding engine, a cage containing sixteen men was over-run and dashed into the sump of the pit, injuring all the occupants, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries.
The Rawdon Colliery over-winding accident was due to the engineman, Smith, probably in a moment of mental aberration, over-running his engine and so causing the overwind.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Lancashire, 4th October, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 10 dead
Foggs Colliery, Darcy Lever, near Bolton, Lancashire, where, on the 4th of October, the ascending cage, while drawing men to the surface, collided with the descending cage in the downcast or. No. 1 shaft; the ascending cage falling to the bottom and causing the death of all the occupants, viz., ten men.
The Foggs Shaft accident was due to a broken rod of the ascending cage forcing it into the path of the descending cage, and thereby causing the collision
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Ayrshire, 18th July 1917. Report number Cd. 9053. 4 dead.
Failure to make examination with safety lamp, led men to workplace with naked lights igniting methane.
Report by W. Walker Acting Chief HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Lancashire, 4th October, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 10 dead
Foggs Colliery, Darcy Lever, near Bolton, Lancashire, where, on the 4th of October, the ascending cage, while drawing men to the surface, collided with the descending cage in the downcast or. No. 1 shaft; the ascending cage falling to the bottom and causing the death of all the occupants, viz., ten men.
The Foggs Shaft accident was due to a broken rod of the ascending cage forcing it into the path of the descending cage, and thereby causing the collision
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Lancashire, 4th October, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 10 dead
Foggs Colliery, Darcy Lever, near Bolton, Lancashire, where, on the 4th of October, the ascending cage, while drawing men to the surface, collided with the descending cage in the downcast or. No. 1 shaft; the ascending cage falling to the bottom and causing the death of all the occupants, viz., ten men.
The Foggs Shaft accident was due to a broken rod of the ascending cage forcing it into the path of the descending cage, and thereby causing the collision
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Stirlingshire, 3rd February 1934. Report number Cmd 4617. 3 dead & 1 injured.
Methane explosion by sparking in a fan motor switch whilst starting the fan.
Report by E.H. Frazer Divisional HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Was recently asked to do some photos for a book launching on the 50th Anniversary of the mining disaster , i have an idea in my mind how i want to capture the names now at the base of the sculpture , now all i need is a break in the rain !!! Oh and step ladders
This image is copyrighted to David Smith; Any users, found to replicate, reproduce, circulate, distribute, download, manipulate or otherwise use my images without my written consent will be in breach of copyright laws. Please contact me at daismiff39@hotmail.com for express permission to use any of my photographs.
The deaths of 45 men killed 50 years ago in a colliery explosion have been remembered with a service at the site.
A gas explosion ripped through the Six Bells colliery near Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent at 10.45am on 28 June 1960.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, led a service of remembrance at the site.
He also unveiled a memorial to the tragedy, a 20m high sculpture of a miner by Sebastian Boyesen.
Leicestershire, 18th November, 1907. Report number Cd. 3979. 1 dead & 15 Injured.
Rawdon Colliery, Moira, Leicestershire, where on the 18th of November, through the racing of the winding engine, a cage containing sixteen men was over-run and dashed into the sump of the pit, injuring all the occupants, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries.
The Rawdon Colliery over-winding accident was due to the engineman, Smith, probably in a moment of mental aberration, over-running his engine and so causing the overwind.
Report by R. A. S. Redmayne, Proffesor of mining
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
The main memorial to the Oaks Disater is at Christ Church, Ardsley. This memorial on Donaster Road, Barnsley, was erected in 1913 and remembers some of the rescuers. Reaad more here: www.oaks1866.com/oaks-colliery/
On the churchyard wall, St. Peters Church, Wallsend. Astonishingly there was no permanent memorial to this disaster until 1994
Statue of a miner – High Street, Coalville,
Inscribed: “This memorial is dedicated to all miners of Leicestershire who gave their lives winning the coal.”
Erected exactly 100 years after the Whitwick pit disaster 19 April 1898 when 35 miners were killed by an underground fire.
Sculpted by Judith Holmes Drewry and founded by Le Blanc Fine Arts, Saxby
Silicon bronze
1996
A plaque erected in the village to mark the loss of miners in the 1852 mining disaster at the Gwendraeth Colliery, Pontyberem, Llanelli on the night of Monday 10th May. One of the victims was just 10 years of age!!
The Gwendraeth Valley was a hive of coal mines stretching for miles from Kidwelly through to Tumble and Cross Hands.
Completed in 2010, Guardian was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1960 mining disaster in Six Bells that claimed the lives of 45 men. The amazing 20 metre sculpture towers over the site of the former colliery where the tragedy occurred and is a fitting tribute to the men whose names are cut into panels wrapped around the memorial.
Statue of a miner – High Street, Coalville,
Inscribed: “This memorial is dedicated to all miners of Leicestershire who gave their lives winning the coal.”
Erected exactly 100 years after the Whitwick pit disaster 19 April 1898 when 35 miners were killed by an underground fire.
Sculpted by Judith Holmes Drewry and founded by Le Blanc Fine Arts, Saxby
Silicon bronze
1996
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
From the on-site sign:
The Smith Mine Disaster
The Smith Mine is the side of the worst underground coal mine disaster in Montana history. The decaying buildings across the coulee are a memorial to the 74 men who died in the mine on the morning of February 27, 1943. Smoke pouring from the entrance to the No. 3 vein was the first indication of trouble.”There’s something wrong down here. I’m getting out,” the hoist operator called up. He and two nerby miners were the last men to leave the mine alive.
The families of the men trapped underground anxiously waited as the rescue crews from as far away as Butte and Cascade County worked around the clock to clear debris and search for survivors. There were none. Some men died as a result of a violent explosion, but most fell victim to the deadly methane gasses released by the blast. The tragedy sparked investigations at the state and national level that resulted in improved mine safety.
Today’s marker of the Smith Mine Disaster follows a simpler one left by two miners trapped underground after the explosion, waiting for the poisonous gas they knew would come.
“Walter & Johnny. Good-bye. Wives and daughters. We died an easy death. Love from us both. Be good.”
and
Smith Mine Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior in cooperation with the Montana Historical Society.
A devastating explosion which claimed the lives of 63 men whose names are inscribed on the memorial
The explosion took place about 7.15 a.m., within twenty minutes of the 98 men going down.
Of these, 35, including one who came out just before the explosion, survived.
The remaining 63 were killed including a man named Whitaker who was recovered alive from the mine but later died in Leeds Infirmary.
All the officials on the day shift were killed and this included the undermanager W Radford and every deputy.
The bodies of these men were found in the cabin near the bottom of the shaft where it looked as though they
were filling in the report books.
Two bodies were found on the East Level between the shaft bottom and the entrance to the Black Bed Drift.
The falls of roof were very heavy and all the evidence pointed to the blast going from East to West.
A small explosion had disturbed the coal dust that
had gathered on props, bars and roofs and sides and which fired at the flame of the explosion.
Several bodies were found at the bottom of the New North Road.
It was believed that many of the men had never reached their working places In the Old North Road.
There were 23 horses in the pit at the time of the disaster. Fourteen of these were in the stables and of these two were found to be alive with those on each side of them
dead as was the horsekeeper. Two other ponies were later got out alive, one near the No.2 South Bord and the other nearly two weeks later down the No.1 Dip.
New Hartley, Northumberland. The site of the 1862 Hartley Colliery Disaster. When I first visited this site in 2009 the flower beds were overgrown and the whole place had a rather neglected and forgotten feel to it. In 2012 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the disaster this memorial pathway was commissioned. The names of all 204 victims are inscribed on the path along with lines of poetry. There's a new information/ artwork panel and a large sign on the wall at the entrance.
Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffs, 2nd April 1891. Report number C.-6392.10 dead
Explosion caused by a blown out shot igniting methane
Report by W.N. Atkinson HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Statue of a miner – High Street, Coalville,
Inscribed: “This memorial is dedicated to all miners of Leicestershire who gave their lives winning the coal.”
Erected exactly 100 years after the Whitwick pit disaster 19 April 1898 when 35 miners were killed by an underground fire.
Sculpted by Judith Holmes Drewry and founded by Le Blanc Fine Arts, Saxby
Silicon bronze
1996
Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffs, 2nd April 1891. Report number C.-6392.10 dead
Explosion caused by a blown out shot igniting methane
Report by W.N. Atkinson HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffs, 2nd April 1891. Report number C.-6392.10 dead
Explosion caused by a blown out shot igniting methane
Report by W.N. Atkinson HMI
Plan scanned and pieced together to remake a copy of the original taken from my collection of disaster reports
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
Statue of a miner – High Street, Coalville,
Inscribed: “This memorial is dedicated to all miners of Leicestershire who gave their lives winning the coal.”
Erected exactly 100 years after the Whitwick pit disaster 19 April 1898 when 35 miners were killed by an underground fire.
Sculpted by Judith Holmes Drewry and founded by Le Blanc Fine Arts, Saxby
Silicon bronze
1996
One log structure out of all the metal buildings remains from the mine explosion, tucked into the coulee below the road.
From the on-site sign:
The Smith Mine Disaster
The Smith Mine is the side of the worst underground coal mine disaster in Montana history. The decaying buildings across the coulee are a memorial to the 74 men who died in the mine on the morning of February 27, 1943. Smoke pouring from the entrance to the No. 3 vein was the first indication of trouble.”There’s something wrong down here. I’m getting out,” the hoist operator called up. He and two nerby miners were the last men to leave the mine alive.
The families of the men trapped underground anxiously waited as the rescue crews from as far away as Butte and Cascade County worked around the clock to clear debris and search for survivors. There were none. Some men died as a result of a violent explosion, but most fell victim to the deadly methane gasses released by the blast. The tragedy sparked investigations at the state and national level that resulted in improved mine safety.
Today’s marker of the Smith Mine Disaster follows a simpler one left by two miners trapped underground after the explosion, waiting for the poisonous gas they knew would come.
“Walter & Johnny. Good-bye. Wives and daughters. We died an easy death. Love from us both. Be good.”
and
Smith Mine Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior in cooperation with the Montana Historical Society.
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
In the year 1866, 361 lives were lost in the Oaks Colliery Explosion on the 12th and 13th of December.
Up to and for the next 47 years it was Great Britain’s worst mining disaster.
At the Senghenydd Colliery on Tuesday, 14th October, 1913 the explosion which occurred deep underground constituted the greatest disaster in the annals of British mining with the number of persons killed by the explosion or who died from the effects of the afterdamp was 439 and one rescuer.
This is the Centenary year of the great disaster, may they rest in peace.
The Original Report that i have managed to borrow has been carefully scanned and reproduced so that anyone can now read the full account of the disaster that unfolded. The original plans were scanned and posted earlier in the year in the Mining Disaster Plans Set so you can now relate the drawings to the report. ENJOY!!!!
Was recently asked to do some photos for a book launching on the 50th Anniversary of the mining disaster , i have an idea in my mind how i want to capture the names now at the base of the sculpture , now all i need is a break in the rain !!! Oh and step ladders
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The deaths of 45 men killed 50 years ago in a colliery explosion have been remembered with a service at the site.
A gas explosion ripped through the Six Bells colliery near Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent at 10.45am on 28 June 1960.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, led a service of remembrance at the site.
He also unveiled a memorial to the tragedy, a 20m high sculpture of a miner by Sebastian Boyesen.