1

Ubberley colliery Explosion 1874Researched by John Lumsdon

(Photo by Geoff Mould)

Early on Monday morning, 5th august 1874 considerable excitement was caused in the neighbourhood of Bucknall, Ubberley and Northwood by the report of an explosion apparently proceeding from the direction of the Ubberley Hall colliery. On subsequent enquiry the fact was elicited

that a dreadful explosion had taken place at one of the pits belonging to this colliery and that by the explosion, 4 persons, two men and two boys, had lost their lives.

There are 6 pits it appears, belonging to the Ubberley Hall colliery and the one at which the explosion took place is No.5. Messrs John Harp and sons, of Longton, are the proprietors of the pits, and Mr. Ralph Harp, one of the partners in the firm, is the certificated manager of the particular pit at which the accident occurred. No. 5 pit which is situated between Ubberley and Bucknall is nearly a new one, having being worked a little more than a year and a half. No accident of a fatal kind has ever happened at the pit before.

The pit has two shafts and two seams of coal, which together run down to a depth of about a hundred yards. The first seam, (wall bench) is fifty yards down and the second (little mine coal) fifty yards further. On the morning of the accident about 4.45 John Williams and his brother Samuel Williams went down to lade out water. Richard Wenmarth, better known as “Devonshire Dick” and his son Richard in company with Edward Williams, son of John Williams, came down afterwards. Samuel Williams is a fireman, and the Wenmarths are crutters.

According to Samuel Williams’ account, at the time stated he went down to the bottom seam, and the Wenmarths and Edward Williams stopped at the “wall

2

and bench inset” about fifty yards from the bottom. Samuel Williams shouted out to the others not to come down further until he told them. These orders, it is supposed were not obeyed, and about 6.30 am just as Samuel Williams was about to descend in the bowk, a terrific explosion took place in the pit. A scaffold erected there was blown away and a large iron plate fell on the top of John Williams. The fireman stopped to lift the plate off his brother and then he laid hold of the chain and was drawn up. He reached the pit bank with no other injuries than a few bruises and a temporary deafness caused by the report, which may be added was so loud was to be heard at a distance of at leased two and a half miles.

Attracted by the noise, a number of men were soon on the scene of the calamity, and four of them, named respectively Samuel Johnson, Isaac Johnson, George Edge and Thomas edge descended to explore the mine in search of the men who the fireman had let down. It was discovered however, that the poor men were completely buried under the bricks and other refuse which had been scattered about by the explosion.

The explorers commenced their work of extricating as rapidly and energetically as they could, the result of their labours being the extrication at 10.10 am of the body of the elder Wenmarth. It was found, however, that life was quite extinct. The poor fellow, though not mangled in anyway was past all hope of resuscitation. The corpse was carried to a cart and covered with tarpaulin. Another decent into the pit was then made and in a half an hour, the body of the boy, Richard Wenmarth was brought up and placed by the side of his father in the cart. The boy’s shoulder appeared to be put out and the hair on one side of his head was a little singed. His face too was very black, probably from the effects of the explosion.

By this time a large number of men, women and children had assembled in the lane leading from Bucknall to the colliery, many of the men being miners from the adjacent pits. The ghastly bodies were covered up in the cart, which conveyed them to the Trent Tavern and then returned for the other two. It should be stated that about eight o’clock Sergeant Mc Harg and PC Eaton were on the spot; and at 10 o’ clock Mr Burn, surgeon, from Hanley also arrived. The services of the latter gentleman however were quite unavailing.

The work of clearing away the debris at the bottom went on without cessation until 3.35 when the body of John Williams was discovered and brought up.

Subsequently the corpse of the boy Edward Williams was brought to bank and the two were placed side by side and were taken to the Trent Tavern, there to await the inquest.

John Williams was 46 and his son was 15, these two lived at Brookhouse Green, Bucknall, in the neighbourhood of the pit.

3

His remains, it seems, had been found near the “head-side” of the pit bottom, in a crouching position, and not very much disfigured. Subsequently the corpse of the boy Edward Williams was brought to bank and the two were placed side by side and were taken to the Trent Tavern, there to await the inquest.

It appears that ordinarily there are 17 men at work at this pit, so that had the explosion occurred at any other time than Monday morning, when usually but few men are at work the effects would possible have been much more disastrously fatal. Richard Wenmarth was 55 years of age and his son 18. Both lived at Sandford Hill, Longton. John Williams was 46 and his son was 15, these two lived at Brookhouse Green, Bucknall, in the neighbourhood of the pit. Each of the two men leaves a wife and eight children and the cries of the wife of deceased Wenmarth, on hearing of the death of both husband and son are said to have been as well they might be pitiful and heartrending in the extreme

The manager Mr. Harp who happened to be on the pit bank at the time of the accident, seemed also very much distressed at the loss of life in which the explosion had resulted. In the course of the afternoon and evening many people visited the scene of the sad fatality. When the body of the younger Wenmarth was discovered, some matches and tobacco were found in his pockets. It was supposed at the time that there was some connection between this fact and the accident, but however this mat be, the carrying of the matches was an infringement of the rules of the colliery.

4

The Inquest

On Wednesday morning 24th August an inquest was held at the Trent Tavern, Bucknall, before Mr. J. Booth, coroner, and a jury of whom Mr. Millington was foreman on the bodies of the 4 miners who were killed by an explosion of gas at the Ubberley Hall colliery on Monday morning. Mr. Gilroy, the sub inspector of mines for North Staffordshire and Mr. Superintendent Longden were present. The coroner briefly explained the circumstances of the explosion to the jury after which the following evidence was given;

Samuel Williamson said he was fireman at the pit and he knew the deceased colliers who worked at the Ubberley colliery. On Monday last he went to the colliery at about 5 minutes past 5 o’ clock and went down the shaft about quarter past, he was lowered down by the engineman, Edward Brown. John Williams went down with him. He (witness) went into the “wall and bench” seam, and took with him a “blow George” to attach to the pipes which takes the wind down to the seam below. He only went to the place where he usually went and told the men to stay until he had been round the workings, he did not fix the “blow George” which was to force the air into the little row coal. He then went with John Williams to the “little row” workings but could not get more than 4 or 5 yards for the gas; the place was only 9 yards long by 3 wide and two and a half feet high, there appeared to be a considerable amount of gas. He would not remove the gas because the pipes were embedded in the water; the place was last worked on the previous Saturday. It was about ten minutes passed twelve when he left it and the bottom works stopped. After finding the gas he remained with his brother at the sump lading water. About ten minutes after six the two Wenmarths came down the pit. They got out at the “wall and bench” seam 50 yards above him.

They worked in the crut in the hard mine. He said to them: “Now you mind and stop at the bottom to such time as I come to you.” They replied alright. He was quite sure the men never came down to the “little row” About 20 minutes after they came down the explosion happened. John Williams was killed by his side. There was no explosion in the “sump”. Their lamps had not shown there was any gas there. He felt the force of the wind, but there was fire in the sump, it must have been something which fell down the pit which killed Williams. He heard something fall, but could not say where the explosion happened and did not see a bit of the flame. He was insensible for a few minutes, the signal was blown away but he shook the rope and was soon afterwards brought out.

5

It was his duty to examine the place before the men went to work. They usually stopped till he had made an examination. In his reply to Mr. Gilroy (Government Inspector) he said he had been the fireman for about 12 months, and always got out at the “wall and bench” and saw that all was safe where the men stopped. It was usual to let them sit in the little “crut” until they had orders. He did not usually allow the furnace to be out from Saturday till Monday morning. He did not go to the furnace first thing on Monday morning and did not know whether it was in or out. It was raked on Saturday and in on Sunday. The coroner said you knew you should have been there and examined the place an hour or an hour and a half before the men went down.

J. Bennett, banksman at the pit said he was on the pit bank at the time of the explosion. The first intimation he had was the report of the blast and smoke coming out of the shaft. He then knew there had been an explosion. Edward Williams and Wenmarth had no candles, there being none on the bank.

He was quite certain they took none down with them. He knew all the men who were brought out dead.

Thomas Edge, a collier, who volunteered to go down said with others he went to a piece of bricking which was blown out of the side about 30 yards down. They had to put it in again before daring to go lower. They then went down to an old “inset”. After visiting another place, they went to the “inset” above the “little row” coal and got in and commenced to search. They got to the top of the “crut” and found a man. It was Wenmarth senior. They went and fetched a bag, and took him up. They then found the son about 6 or 7 yards from where his father was. They took him to bank and then continued their search. They made their way to the bottom after replacing another piece of bricking.

At the bottom they found Williams, there was an iron plate near him but not upon him, neither was the brickwork upon him though there was some near him. They were all dead when found. They went to the “crut” end and near the far end of the “north deep end” they found the son lying. They found symptoms of “afterdamp”, though not very strong. Every stopping they got to in the “wall and bench” were blown out.

In reply to Mr. Gilroy, (government Inspector) they said they did not find any candles or powder bottles. There did not appear to be much burnt, but they could not tell as there was water in the deep side. They were all on the north side of the “crut”.

6

They found no matches, but took the bodies up as they found them. The inquest was adjourned, so that Mr. Wynne (Government Inspector of Mines) could attend.

Adjourned Inquest

On Thursday afternoon 9th September an adjourned inquest was held at the Trent Tavern, Bucknall, before Mr. Booth, coroner, touching the deaths of the 4 miners who were killed in the explosion at No. 5 pit of Ubberley Hall colliery, the property of Messrs. J Harp and sons on the 24th August. Mr. Wynne, Government Inspector; Mr. Gilroy, Assistant Inspector; and Mr. Welch, on behalf of the families of the deceased and instructed by Mr. Brown, agent of North Stafford District of Miners, were present during the inquiry. Samuel Williams’ evidence, given at the last inquest was recapitulated and the name, “wall and bench” seam was altered to “stinkers” the proper technical term for the seam. In reply to the coroner, S. Williams said he went down with his brother to examine the sump. There were no other men come to work that morning.

The pipes were stopped up and the air could not pass. Further replies to questions from Mr. Wynne and the coroner, he replied they had finished the sinking the week previously and he did not know how many “bowks” (container) an hour it took to keep the water down. He did not know how many were sent while he was there that morning. There would, he thought, be 6 inches of water on top of the pipes at the time of the explosion. They had not being sending water up for about an hour. The pipes discharged air into the “wall and bench”. He told the men to wait for him at the wall and bench “inset”. Supposing the pipes were open, any air coming up would pass over their candles where they were. The pipes were put in by the instruction Mr. Harp. (Owner) When he went down on Saturday, he saw the furnace at about 11 and raked up about 12 by the hooker-on. It had always been his practice to see to it only once during the week-end.

The men came down that morning without any hooker-on and went to their work without the place being examined and the furnace being seen to.

In reply to Mr. Gilroy, Assistant Inspector, S Williams said how long they had been loading the water he could not say, it had always been kept down before and most of it was out when he got there.

7

Thomas Edge was re-examined and said there was one piece of candle stuck against the side of the “wall and bench” inset, it had been lighted, it was about half gone. Herbert Bryan, engineman, said he went to work about ten minutes past four on the morning in question. His first work was to wind water and he had been doing so about three quarters of an hour, when the two Williams came and were let down to the inset of the “ wall and bench” seam. They stayed for ten minutes to a quarter of an hour and were let down gently to the “little row seam” at the bottom. After they were down he began to wind water to a “bowk” and had fetched about 8 or 9 “bowk” full. It was being laded into a “bowk”.

At 6 o’ clock the Wenmarths came upon the bank and in a few minutes were let down. He stopped with them at the “wall and bench” inset, having been told to do so by the banksman. That was about half an hour before the explosion. He did not see them with any lamps. Saw S. Williams and his brother with lamps when they went down. On the Sunday he let two men down to make a fire in the furnace about 11 o’ clock. They went down every Sunday; they were going to re-new the fire, it being raked on Saturdays’.

In answer to Mr. Wynne (Mines Inspector) he replied, the height of the “bowk” would be about 3 feet and came full when they were lading. He had many times before used the “ringe” to bring out the water, but not since there had been three shifts at work. When the fireman and his brother went down, he stopped with them at the inset. It had been the rule to let s Williams down first and afterwards all the men. On the morning in question the men went down without any hooker-on.

George Edge, undermanager at Chatterley Co’ Lawn colliery said he went to the Ubberley colliery after the explosion and went down with his brother. After making certain repairs they went down to the “wall and bench” inset. Making a search they found Richard Wenmarth lying in the head, they found some timber across him and afterwards a piece of candle sticking at the far end of the crut. They afterwards found the son and he (witness) assisted in bringing them out. They found two lamps at the bottom of the pit. After getting them out, they found a piece of candle 10 or 11 yards in, they did not find any lamps in that seam. In reply to a question from Mr. Wynne (Inspector) he said there had been a crossing where the candle was found, but it was blown away. He saw a waistcoat on a stool at the far end and noticed a partly drilled hole; he heard it was the elder Wenmarths’.

8

Mr. Ralph Rogers, sinker, said he was at the colliery the day before the explosion. He went down with a young man, Arthur Williams to look at the fire. Samuel Williams had asked him to go. He cleaned the fire out and made up a good one and then raked it when it had burned up. There was a nice little fire and he left it so that it would keep in until Monday morning. The furnace was in the crut close to the “wall and bench” seam.

Police constable Heaton, from Bucknal, said he saw the bodies of the men after they had been brought out of the pit and examined them. Upon Richard Wenmarth the younger, he found tobacco and ten matches; they were in his waistcoat pocket. Upon john Williams the elder, he found a pipe and more tobacco. Edward Williams was burnt in the face and hair slightly and Richard Wenmarth the younger was slightly burnt.

Samuel B. Gilroy (assistant mines inspector) said he first visited the colliery on the evening of the day of the explosion at about ten past eight, with Samuel Williams and another man. He got out at the “stinkers” coal mouthing, noticed the usual stink after an explosion and saw a number of bricks lying about and one stopping blown down. Went along the north level and observed a number of tubs that had been blown off the road. He went into the crut and about three yards from the level he saw a crossing, the planks of which had been blown away. Going to the face he found a piece of candle sticking on the right hand side and within 18 inches of the face. There was a hole which had apparently been newly drilled, about 9 inches deep.

A shovel and tools were reared against the sides. Saw evidence of concussion beyond the crossing where the planks were blown away There was no sign of concussion in the crut itself.

Along the north level he found a stopping blown through. Everything was sooty but, not burnt. In the south level he found the air-crossing in the same way and bricks blown up-hill.

About 5 yards up the return airway a stopping was blown into the shaft. It appeared as though the explosion has taken place about 5yards from the shaft where the “blow George” usually stood. Within about 18 yards from the shaft was found the elder Wenmarth and about 6 yards further on, his son. They could not have been found in this position they were in until the crossing had been blown up, as until it was blown up there would have been nowhere in for them.

9

Had they been to where they were found, they must have been much burnt and bruised. They had rushed into the places where they were found. They had time he thought to drill the hole 9 inches. It would appear that the water must have choked the pipes up, and the vibration of the water as it was being laded out would, he thought, displaced the gas, and when it got strong enough it fired in the “inset”, where there was probably a light left burning. It was his opinion that had they been in the “inset”, they would all have been blown down the pit. The ventilation was badly arranged. Had there been a door across, and a good large pipe, there would have been no necessity for a “blow George.”

In Mr. Wynne’s (government inspector) opinion the light must have been left somewhere near the “blow George,” when they went to their work. As soon as the air was moved, by the laden of the water, the gas was sent up the pit and fired by the light near the “blow George.” He noticed that the bars of the furnace were quite cold, as though it had been out for a long time, but that was 15 hours after the explosion. There was evidently a decided breach of the first General rule which proper ventilation should be constantly produced, irrespectively of weekends or any other times.

The coroner said the facts seemed to be very simple, though very disastrous. The man Williams went down and instead of doing his duty as he should have done; he got out at the “wall and bench” and merely went 4 or 5 yards into the “inset.” Upon going to the bottom he found that he could not work his “blow George” and that the “little mine “was full of gas to within 3 or 4 yards. Then the other men came down, to whom he said, he shouted, telling them they must not go to work until he had examined it. There was, however only his own bear word for it and that slightly corroborated by banksman. He certainly might have shouted to them, but supposing that he did, he appears to have allowed 20 minutes at least, to have elapsed before examining the place during which time the men were allowed to work. There had, therefore, evidently been a grievous breach of this rule. The facts are very simple indeed and the questions for the jury to decide were whether Williams was guilty of culpable negligence in allowing them to work before he examined the place.

The only point in his favour was whether he had told them not to work; but then the question rose, whether he had put that to one side by staying down where he was so long after.

10

They must consider whether, by a breach of this rule, he had not been guilty of wilful negligence, and if so return a verdict of manslaughter against him. They must consider also how far he relieved himself of responsibility by warning the men not to go in.

There was another point in reference to the furnace not being kept going as it should have been upon the Sunday and through the week end.

Mr. Gilroy, (assistant inspector) had suggested that the first general rule had been broken by his not seeing proper ventilation was continually produced. In this case the mine was charged with gas and they had evidence of the way that the furnace had been kept in. Its being raked on the Saturday night and attended to only once on the Sunday;

but it did not appear as to anything having been done to it on the Monday morning. They had to consider whether he was guilty of a culpable neglect in thus not seeing that the proper ventilation was kept up. They had to consider whether the manager or the fireman had been guilty of such neglect, and if so, return a verdict against either one of them of manslaughter, or such other verdict as they thought the circumstances of the case justified. After a short deliberation, the jury returned the following verdict; “That the deceased men came by their death through an explosion of gas, but no one was blameable, but that they had disobeyed the fireman’s orders by striking a light, which caused the explosion, and the verdict therefore was accidental death.”

Adderley Green Colliery 1874Further Inquest

Conviction under mines regulation Act.Researched by John Lumsdon

On Monday, at the Hanley Police Court, Messrs H C Greenwood, a stipendiary, E J Ridgeway and T Ashworth, being on the bench, Mr J R Haynes, manager at the Adderley Green Colliery, Longton, was summoned for a breach of the first general rule of the Mines Regulation Act, by not having a sufficient amount of air passing through the pit to dilute and render harmless noxious gasses therein.Mr Booth was for the prosecution and Mr Ackrill for the defence.

Mr Booth, in opening the case, said that Mr Gillroy, sub-inspector of mines, visited the Adderley Green Colliery on the 15th Aug and found that about 28 or 30 feet from the intake air-shaft were 2 side levels 100 yards along. Upon putting his Davy there was gas, which exploded and blew out his lamp.

11

There were from 30 to 35 men working a short distance away and if a miner had gone in with a naked light, or a faulty lamp, there must have been a fearful explosion and not a man would have been left alive.

Mr S B Gilroy said that he was sub-inspector of mines for the district and on the 15th July he visited the Adderley Green Colliery, of which Mr Haynes was the certificated manager, for the purpose of making an inspection. There were 2 levels in the pit, each 100 yards long and about 6 feet wide. As far as he could judge, they were charged with gas right up to the “face.”

The levels were about 28 feet from the shaft and at that point, upon entering the level, the gas was so strong that it exploded in his lamp and blew out the light. It was in the same level as the workmen had to pass to and from their work. He spoke to Mr Haynes, expressing very great surprise the there was such a magazine of gas allowed in the place. He advised him to at once to withdraw the men and have the gas removed.

He went into the workings and found men working therein with naked lights, within73 yards of where the gas was. The in-take air went through the level and would have to pass where the men were working; it would go round the workings and up the up-cast shaft. He thought it was unsafe to allow the place to go on either with lamps or naked lights to work with.

Mr Ackrill: And were you not afraid of being in the mine? Mr Gilroy: I was aware of the risk I was running. If an explosion had taken place the workmen must all have been killedMr Ackrill: Come; don’t say that; because you cannot say if all would have been killed.Mr Gilroy: (sharply) Mr Hayes said that the average number of men and boys who worked in the place was 35; and if an explosion occurred, I say they must have been killed.Mr Ackrill: Well, don’t get angry, or I know it will be all the worse for us.Mr Gilroy: Well don’t seek to pervert the truth.Mr Ackrill: Oh we never do that here. Mr Ackrill: Had you a naked light?Mr Gilroy: No, or I should not have been here now, nor would Mr Haynes either. I am certain it was hydrogen for it burned with a blue flame.Mr Ackrill: Did it frighten you?Mr Gilroy: Well it blew out my lamp.Mr Haynes tried to laugh the matter off, and I believe the only thing since done, has been to introduce lamps in place for candles. Mr Haynes said he should not take any steps to alter the place until after the wakes and I think that was most abdominal. I cannot tell whether the thirling was partially open or closed; to the best of my belief it was closed.

12

Mr T Wynne, Government Inspector of Mines said that he had not visited the colliery in question since Mr Gilroy was there; he would not go down the pit on any account until the gas was removed, as he considered it was unsafe.Mr Ackrill, to the Bench: Mr Wynne confesses that he has not been down the pit, so he knows nothing about this matter and I object to his giving evidence.Mr. Wynne: A statement which Mr Gilroy made to me - and which he was bound to make – has caused me to institute these proceedings.Mr Ackrill: Yes; But I object to your giving evidence.Mr Wynne: I saw the place before – 12 months ago; and I have been in the levels. If the mouth of this level was full of gas, I know from the construction of the levels, that the whole must be full; and there would probably be about 100,000 cubic feet of gas in.

Mr Ackrill, in addressing the Court for the defence, said he was not going to contend that there would not be danger of an explosion if the pit was quite as Mr Gilroy had represented it. In reply to one of the questions he had put to Mr Gilroy as to whether there would be danger under certain circumstances, the answer was that partially there would be. Now he should be able to show that every precaution had been taken to carry the air out at the “Jack pit” and that gas could not reach the mem in their working place, unless there was a fall of material, or a man or boy should go through the place with a naked light.

The clause under which the proceedings were taken was highly penal; and it was right that the manager of a pit should see that good ventilation was secured, but he submitted that colliery managers should not be too much harassed over such a matter and if the best precautions – as the manager might consider – were taken to clear the place of gas, he thought he should not be made chargeable for every bit of gas which might be found. Under the circumstances under which Mr Gilroy found the place, he maintained that there was no danger to the men, the working places not being unsafe. The gas would go out at the thirling, and consequently the men could not possibly be endangered by any explosion of gas. He maintained that Mr Haynes was doing all he could to preserve the men from danger, and he ought not, therefore, to be convicted.

Mr Haynes the defendant said that there was not so much gas as Mr Gilroy had represented. Any serious fail might have led to the probable results mentioned. No man was allowed to go through the level in question with a naked light. A man was stationed at the place to prevent any such thing. Candles were there taken from the work people, and they had to pass on either in the dark or with lamps. If there was gas in the level, it would only go about 10 yards.

13

In answer to Mr. Booth (for the prosecution) Mr Ackrill (for the defence) said the flame in Mr Gilroy’s lamp was very small, there was no quantity of gas in the place; he had known the “stoppings” blow out at an explosion. It was perfectly safe for the men to pass with lamps. The lamps were as complete as they could get them. He had been connected with colliers all his life. There had only been one explosion at the colliery.

This completed the case and the Stipendiary asked what it was proposed to do.Mr Ackrill said that the defendant had carried out the ventilation arrangements to the best of his judgement; but he was willing to affect any alteration which Mr Wynne might suggest. The Stipendiary said the magistrates said the thought Mr Haynes had been remiss in not effecting some alteration after Mr Gilroy saw the place but if in seven days, the necessary alterations would be made, the magistrates agreed not to convict, but to order payment of costs.-Mr Ackrill said that should be done.

Mr Wynne said the case was a serious one, explosions were frequently occurring and men killed, owing to defective ventilation. Mr Wynne remarked that it was pent-up gas that did the mischief at the Duckingfield explosion. He did not desire that there should be a heavy fine, but he must ask for a conviction.

The Stipendiary remarked that all the magistrates fully thought that if the requisite alterations were made in the mine, Mr Wynne would be satisfied. A case could not be granted, inasmuch as there was no point of law involved – it was a matter of fact; but there could be an appeal. The course intimated was one which the magistrates thought the prosecution would be satisfied with and it was agreed to by the Bench as being a likely way of “throwing oil upon the troubled waters.” They were all of opinion, however, that an offence was committed in Mr Haynes (manager) not taking any notice of what the Government Inspector had said.

Mr Ackrill (for the defence) reminded the Bench that there was not an offence under the summons.

Mr Wynne (Government Inspector), said he must indeed ask for a conviction, be it ever so small.

The Stipendiary then said that he magistrates considered the offence charged had been committed and they must convict Mr Haynes in a penalty of £10 with costs.

14

There was a second charge against Mr Haynes of not causing the air shaft to be securely fenced. – No defence was made to this and Mr Booth stating there was no desire to press the case, the summons was dismissed upon the payment of costs, - The money in both cases was at once paid.