St Helens
The Sankey Brook colliery explosion
The inquest on the three persons who were killed on Wednesday last by the explosion of fire damp in the mines of Messers JOHNSON and WORTHINGTON, of Parr, was held at the Bull's Head, Parr Stocks, before John HEYES Esq, Coroner, on Friday last.
The deceased persons are Samuel BILLINGE, aged 27, Thomas BATTERSBY, aged 36, and a youth named Richard HIGHCOCK about 9yrs old. The coroner alluded to the circumstances of HIGHCOCK having been employed in a mine at such a young age, the act of Parliament being imperative that none should be employed under the age of 10yrs.
Mr GREENHOUGH a juryman and coal proprietor, said he did not think that prohibition was generally known by under-lookers.
The Coroner remarked that it was necessary they should know it, for their own protection from the penalties to which they might be made liable.
The facts of the catastrophe were detailed to the jury by Thomas TAYLOR, a miner, who said that the explosion took place between 6 and 7am when the men had scarcely started to work. Upon some old workings falling in, he felt a strong wind which extinguished his and his son's candle, and immediately after the explosion took place. He was himself slightly burned, but, scarcely knew how he had escaped so well. In making his way to the shaft he fell over the body of the youth HIGHCOCK, to which life was quite extinct, before he could be got to the first eye. The deceased BILLINGE lived until he was conveyed home. All the men in the mine had safety lamps to work with, if they would have confined themselves to the use of them. He believed the foul air had ignited at a candle left behind them by BILLINGE and BATTERSBY.
William GREENALL the under-looker at the colliery produced the plans of the mines and workings. He said the deceased persons were about 200yds from the place where the naked candle had been left and about 400yds and 500yds from the shaft. The force with which the foul air had rushed into the mine had broken down one of the stoops. HIGHCOCK had been employed there between 8 and 9mths, but had nothing to do except attend to, two doors in the air-ways.
The jury returned a verdict of "accidental death". The other parties, 4 in number, who were likewise injured by the explosion, still survive, with a somewhat better chance of recovery than first anticipated. Besides being fearfully scorched, they have had some bones fractured, or have been severely bruised by the force with which the current of air hurled them against the rugged barriers of the mine.
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Liverpool Journal
Feb 10th 1849
Explosion of fire damp in a pit in St Helens, 7 killed
On Monday in the Bird in Hand Colliery Eccleston belonging to Messers BROMILOW and Co. The accident supposed occurred through the imprudence of one of the colliers taking his top off his lamp. There were 9 men and boys in the part where the explosion took place, 7 were suffocated, Robert JOHNSON, William PORTER, Isaac BALL, William PALMER, William PLATT, John GARVEY and Peter GARVEY. Two other men badly burned are not expected to live.
March 10th 1849
Colliery explosion at Ince near Wigan 12 lives lost
One Tuesday morning a terrible explosion of fire damp occurred at one of the colliers of Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Co called "The Middle Patricroft Colliery" situated a short distance from the cotton mill of Messers GIDLOW on the road from Wigan to Hindley, 26 men had descended to work at 6am, many had not commenced work, as some brought out dead had clothes in clean condition. There are 12 dead and two injured, many managers descended the pit to rescue including Mr James LANCASTER on of the firm.
Those taken out dead, Absalom MATHER, William AFFLECK, John BENNETT, George BENNETT, John SWANTON, Thomas TONGUE, George TAYLOR, George LEWIS, Thomas LEWIS, Matthew LEWIS, John LEWIS, PEDLAR. Stephen YATES and John SHARPLES are badly burnt.
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Liverpool Mercury March 23rd 1852
Northern Circuit Liverpool March 23rd
Crown Court before Mr Baron ALDERSON
James TAYLOR aged 20 was indicted for the murder of James BIRCHALL at Huyton on the 6th Dec last.
Mr Peter BURKE prosecuted, Mr Tindal ATKINSON defended the prisoner.
It appeared that at Huyton there is a colliery, called the Halsnead Colliery, and at the mouth of the shaft leading down to that colliery an engine was erected to draw up the coals and let down the workmen. It was the prisoner's duty to attend to the duty of that engine. On the 6th of December last the deceased James BIRCHALL and another man were descending the shaft into the coal-pit for the purpose of making some repairs. The deceased, who was about to descend the shaft, placed his foot on the stirrup of the chair and swung himself a foot down the shaft, at the same time asking the prisoner, who was in the engine house, which is about nine yards from the mouth of the shaft, if it was ready. The prisoner replied, "All right", and the chair began to descend into the pit, but, almost immediately after began rapidly to ascend, and carrying the deceased with it, struck him with great violence against the pulley over which the rope from which the engine ran, and from which the chair was suspended, drawing round the wheel and dashing him with great violence against the ground. The deceased was so much injured that he died shortly afterwards.
For the defence it was contended that the accident was not owing to any negligence on the part of the prisoner, but to the engine being out of order, that the force with which the deceased had swung himself off the mouth of the pit had set the engine going, that the prisoner had then used his best endeavours to stop it, but he had been unable to do so until the accident had occurred.
His Lordship having directed the jury that the prosecutor was bound to prove some particular act of negligence to render the prisoner liable to the present charge.
The Jury found the prisoner guilty.
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Liverpool Mercury, Aug 28th 1855
On Wednesday an inquests was held at Haydock before Mr C. E. DRIFFIELD Esq on the bodies of two colliers named John SUMNER and Peter BURROWS, who died by injuries received through an explosion of firedamp in Messers EVANS and Cos, No 1 pit in Haydock. The accident happened by one of the workmen going into some old workings with an exposed candle and it appears, the such a dangerous practise had been allowed for some time past, the jury absolved the man from blame and returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
On Friday another inquest was held at Eccleston on the body of Henry ASHALL a collier employed at the Croppers Hill, colliery who had been killed by falling down a pit shaft about 15 yds deep. It appeared that on account of the shaft being shallow the men had been in the habit of descending by sliding down the chain which was held steady by the last man.. On this occasion the deceased was the last man, the chain became unsteady, he lost his hold and fell to the bottom of the shaft, verdict of "Accidental death."
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Liverpool Mercury, January 1, 1862
Coalpit accident, St Helens
Yesterday morning a young man named Joseph ASHTON, residing at St Helens, met with a serious accident at Pocket Nook Colliery, Parr, belonging to Thomas WALKER, and which is very likely to prove fatal. He was following his occupation of coal-getting in his workplace in the mine, when a quantity of the roof fell, crushing him in a most pitiable state. A surgeon was speedily obtained and found he had received several cuts to the head, his left leg was broken and in several parts of his body his flesh was lacerated, in addition to which he was injured internally. He was carried home and lies in a precarious state.
Liverpool Mercury, January 14, 1862
An inquest was held on the body of James COONEY, who was a colliery sinker at Wigan. The deceased was aged 20, and employed on the 4th September in a pit belonging to Messers Taylor and Sons, about two and a half miles from Wigan. While he was blasting in the pit a large stone fell on his back, inflicting severe injury, from the effects of which he died in the Northern Hospital, this town, on Thursday last, from fracture of the spine. Verdict, "Accidental death."
Liverpool Mercury, February 17, 1862
An inquest was held at St Helens, at the Navigation Inn on the body of William ROUGHLEY, aged 18, a drawer at Ravenhead Colliery, Sutton. It appeared the deceased had gone into a part of the mine where gas had accumulated, an explosion took place and he was burned so severely that he died. The place had not been examined by the fireman as required by the rule, the jury found a verdict of "Accidental death, " and censured John MARSH the fireman for not examining the place.
Liverpool Mercury, March 24, 1862
An inquest was held at St Helens, at the house of Charles WHITTLE, Sutton, on the body of Jonathan PLATT, a collier, aged 47, who was killed at the Ravenhead Colliery, belonging to Messers Bromilow, Haddock and Co, on the day previous. It appears the deceased was being wound up the shaft from the St Sebastian mine to the Ravenhead mine, when the rope broke and he fell to the bottom, verdict of "Accidental death."
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Liverpool Mercury, Monday, December 14, 1874
Fatal Boiler explosion at Whiston
On Friday evening one of the boilers connected with Halsnead Colliery Whiston, burst, causing a report which was heard over the neighbouring townships. The boiler was blown a considerable distance in the air and fell upon one of the stables, killing a carter named John ROSCOE, who was inside, on the spot. An elderly man named John KILSHAW and a boy named BROWN were seriously injured. On Saturday Mr BELL, Inspector of Mines visited the scene of the explosion.
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Manchester Tines, December 11th 1875
The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the two men, John HASLEM, Manager and James ANDERTON pit sinker, who were killed by an explosion of powder at the Stand Lane, colliery, Radcliffe, on Saturday week, was held at The British Queen Inn, Stand Lane, before Mr J. B. EDGE, District coroner, on Saturday, Mr DICKINSON, Govt Inspector of Mines was present and Mr Robert CROSSLAND, Solicitor, Bury, appeared on behalf of the company. William SHEPHERD pit sinker, said, at the time of the occurrence he was working in No3 pit of the Stand Lane Colliery, along with three other men, of whom, ANDERTON the deceased was one.
Jury verdict, in writing, after long consultation, "We are of the opinion that John HASLAM and James ANDERTON met with their death by accident. We further believe that Peter HAMPSON was not sufficiently careful in the working of the signals, and hereby request the coroner caution him for the future" This the coroner did and HAMPSON expressed regret.
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LIVERPOOL JOURNAL
Jan 13th, 1877
DEATHS
At 5.30 am on Sunday a fatal accident occurred on the Ravenhead branch of the London and North West, Railways Co's branch. Elizabeth Ellen CHEETHAM, aged 19, employed as a Brow Girl at the Ravenhead Colliery, was proceeded to her work. [NB 5am Sunday]. With a young man and girl named GARNETT. At the same time there was a train of wagons shunting and for this purpose, it was divided in the middle. The driver shouted to them not to go through the opening, but the young man GARNETT, succeeded and ventured to the other side. The deceased followed, the wagon being then in motion. She was caught between the buffers and crushed, death was instantaneous.
Liverpool Journal, 20th Jan, 1877
Deaths and Inquests
A fatal accident occurred on Tuesday morning last at the Mostyn Collieries resulting in the death of a collier named, William JONES, aged 65. He was working at the "Eyton's Pit" and while he was cutting coal a siding near gave way. He was crushed severely and died later, he leaves a wife and family.
A coroner's inquest was held at Gunnislake Cornwall on Wednesday, arising from a terrible accident that occurred that afternoon in the Great Consul Mine. A number of men were working at the bottom of the shaft, when a great mass of rocks loosened, due to the late rain. George SEARGEANT and Thomas CLYMO were killed instantly, both men leave wives, one has 8 dependant children.
A dreadful explosion occurred on Tuesday night at the Coppot Colliery, Lower Gornal, 5 persons were injured. When the men were leaving work a heavy fall of coal took place, followed by a dense volume of sulphur, which immediately exploded. Thomas GRIFFITHS and Nathaniel HALL died on Wednesday and Jabez HALL and HICKMAN are not expected to recover.
Liverpool Journal, 20th Jan 1877
Wigan County Court
Thursday, application by Mr APPLETON, debtor�s solicitor, re the estate of Joseph ROPER, Cotton spinner, Colliery proprietor and Farmer of Orrell, who has petitioned for liquidation by arrangement, liabilities estimated, 21,000 pounds, to stay a distraint made on the estate for 100 pounds farm rent, 192 pounds colliery rent due to the Marquis de Lys. His Honour directed receivers to pay 300 pounds for claims out of 700 pounds the court allowed them to carry on business with till the 1st meeting of the creditors
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Liverpool Journal, 7th January 1882
Shortly after 11am on Weds morning a collier W. CHILDERS, aged 48, employed in the Chamber Colliery, Oldham, was working in the mine when a large stone weighing a ton, fell on his head killing him instantaneously, another miner BARDSLEY working nearby had a narrow escape.
On Sunday John TYLDESLEY, aged 25, butcher of Tyldesley, was found in a shocking mutilated state at the bottom of a coal pit, 400 yds deep. The deceased had jumped down the shaft leaving his hat and stop on the top. On Saturday he sent a note to his father, which caused injuries to be made.
At Skelmersdale yesterday Martin GANNON, a labourer working in the Arley mine of the White Moss colliery Skelmersdale, a portion of a roof fell, a stone struck the deceased on the head and killed him instantaneously
At Ormskirk
Edward RIGBY was fined 5s and costs for making cartridges with blasting powder in his house, not being licensed for the same. The bench recommended representation should be made to the colliery proprietors to provide a place where colliers can make these cartridges, further cases would be severely dealt with, with a fine of 100 pounds. Liverpool Journal 14th Jan 1882
Deaths and inquests
On Tues am, John MORAN, aged 35, residing at Ormskirk, was working at Airley mine, White Moss Co, Skelmersdale, at 6am he was proceeding down the shaft when the rope broke, boxes ran down and caught him, killing him on the spot.
An inquest was held at Accrington on James BUTTERWORTH, aged 14, who was killed by a fall from the roof at the Baxenden Coal pit on the previous Thurs. The jenny had broken down and when the lad was pushing an empty wagon a stone fell on him accidental death.
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Liverpool Mercury Nov 12th, 1890
St Helens fatality
At 8pm on Monday a shocking accident occurred in the Higher Florida mine of the Bold Colliery, St Helens junction, belonging to the Collins Green Colliery Company, by which Hugh JONES, aged 33 of Earlestown was instantly killed and a contractor named WALL sustained dangerous injuries. WALL and a man named WILLIAMS were engaged tunnelling down the mine when a large quantity of stones and dirt fell from the roof on the three of them. WILLIAMS succeeded in extricating himself and with considerable difficulty released WALL who had sustained fractured ribs and a scalp injury. A search was made for JONES and when his body was recovered it was found he was terribly crushed and life was extinct. The body was removed to the Boundary Vaults at Sutton to await the inquest, whilst WALL was removed to his home in Foster St, Parr, where Dr JACKSON, assistant to Dr GASKELL, attended to him. Yesterday he remained in a precarious condition.
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Liverpool Mercury, Jan 1st 1897
Engine starts of its own accord
At the St Helens Town Hall, yesterday afternoon, Mr F. A. JONES, deputy coroner held an inquiry on the body of William LEWIS, aged 66, a pit-sinker of 68 Stanhope St, who died on Tuesday from the effects of injuries received in the pit shaft of Eccleston Hall, Colliery. Mr MATTHEWS, Assistant Government Inspector of Mines, attended, and Mr J. P. MEARNS, solicitor appeared on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. Mr William LIPTROT, surface manager was also present.
It appeared that the man LEWIS was working in an iron "hoppet" repairing the sides of the shaft, when through some cause the "hoppet" was wound to the surface, LEWIS was caught by one of the wooden "bearers" in the shaft and his injuries included a broken collar-bone. John FISHWICK of Thatto Heath, said he was working in the "hoppet" with LEWIS, when they were wound to the surface without any signal whatever being given by them. John FORBER of Eccleston-lane-ends, said he was engine driver at Eccleston Hall Colliery, on the occasion in question he did not receive any signal to start the engine. The engine started itself, and stopped without being touched in a second or two. Witness thought that a little steam had escaped from one of the valves and "sprung" the engine. The valve had since been removed. He had known of a similar case before. In reply to Mr MATTHEWS, he said he thought the break of the engine was as firm as he could make it. Replying to Mr MEARNS, he said the engine was slightly defective, but he did not know that till after the accident.
Mr William LIPTROT, mechanical engineer, said that on the morning of the accident he examined the engine and pronounced it safe. After the accident the engine was overhauled and it was found there had been some corrosion inside the valve owing to the engine not having been worked very much for the last 15 mths. The dust had allowed so much steam to get through in the 40 minutes while the engines were standing, before the accident happened, that it started the machinery. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death by the starting of the engine through corrosion in the valve, and exonerated the engine driver from any blame in the matter. The Coroner thought it quite right that they should exonerate the driver.
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Liverpool Mercury, Nov 9th, 1899
Fatal accident in a St Helens colliery
Yesterday Mr S. BRIGHOUSE, County Coroner held an inquest at St Helens Town Hall, on the body of James Edward WILLIAMS, aged 32, collier, 52 Orrell St who was killed at Ashton's Green Colliery on Tuesday. From the evidence, while WILLIAMS was at work a large portion of the roof collapsed and two big stones fell on him. He was so badly crushed that when his body was released, life was extinct. Mr H. HALL, Government Inspector of Mines, considered that the affair was purely an accident, Jury returned a verdict of, Accidental death. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Wigan Observer and District Advertiser
Friday April 13th 1900
FATALITY AT A STANDISH COLLIERY
On Wednesday morning Mr PARKER, County coroner, held an inquest at the Wheat Sheaf Hotel, Standish on the body of John William OLLERTON, aged 18, a detailer of 63 Preston Rd, Standish, who was killed in the Gidlow, Pit, Standish, belonging to the Wigan Coal and Iron Co, on Monday by a fall of coal. Mr J. DEAN manager of the colliery was present.
John OLLERTON, the father gave evidence of identification.
Thomas KILLEY, a detailer of 17 Folly, Wigan Lane, Wigan, said he was working with the deceased in the Arley Mine, No 2, Gidlow Pit, On Monday morning packing dirt. When they had been at work a short time, deceased went out of the place to have a rest, he was making his way back when some coal fell from the face on his head, he got the assistance of Thomas MARSDEN and extricated him but he died immediately afterwards. The whole fall was 3 cwt, witness examined the place early in the morning and it was all right.
Denis CULSHAW, the fireman said he examined the place where he was working at 9.30am and it appeared quite safe. The place where the coal fell could not be spragged, without moving the dirt.
The coroner stated from the evidence it appeared an accident and no one was to blame, the conditions seemed normal and there was no reason to suspect anything was wrong. Jury returned a verdict of, Accidental death.
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Liverpool Mercury 19th Jan 1907
John HIGGINSON a brakesman of Marsden St, Ince was killed whilst shunting waggons. He was found face down with a fractured skull.
A coroners inquest was held at Chorley on William IDDON, Collier, IDDON borrowed a muzzle-loading gun and went with Thomas HOLT on a farm at Heath Charnock, IDDON killed a hare and HOLT reloaded the gun. IDDON then advanced into another field and HOLT followed with the gun extended. He was caught by a bough and when releasing himself the gun discharged and IDDON was killed. HOLT first said IDDON had shot himself then changed his story, Death by misadventure, HOLT remanded for feloniously killing IDDON
On Joseph BUCKLEY, aged 56 of Smithy St, who died in Leigh Infirmary, he was hooked on a waggon at Fletcher's Basin and was crushed between the waggons.
William EVANS of Delph Rd, Acrefair near Ruabon, while working in the Wynnstay Colliery, was lowering loaded coal buckets down an incline from a "wicket", when the approaching empty "tub" were drawn on the down line. Both "journeys" collided and a prop fell hitting EVANS on the head. He died on Wednesday morning without regaining consciousness. He was the clever goalkeeper of the Acrefair F.C.
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LIVERPOOL MERCURY
Local news Jan 11th 1908
Widnes inguest held on Samuel KNIGHT of Peasley Cross lane, during shunting operations was knocked down by a wagon and killed, accidental death recorded.
LIVERPOOL MERCURY Sat 25th, Jan 1908
INQUEST
Inquest held at Ormskirk by Mr S. BRIGHOUSE on James CROPPER age 47, Collier at Messers GRIFFITHS GLENBURN Colliery Skelmersdale. On Christmas Eve found with fractured ribs and scalp wounds and shock he died from his injuries, accidental death.
Inquest held at Haydock on Mordecai NORBURY age 55yrs of Haydock died on being removed from Leigh Pit to Haydock Hospital. Dr UNSWORTH conducted P.M. in the company of Dr THOMPSON for the colliery and Dr DOWLING for the relatives, death due to heart failure
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Liverpool Mercury
8th Feb 1913
Joseph YATES, aged 30 of 52 Trafalgar St, Leigh, died this morning from injuries he received on Sunday night in the Gin Pits, Tyldesley, leaving a widow and 5 children. He was bending down to put his tally on the tub when a stone fell from the roof, pinning him down. He smashed his ribs on both sides and died from his injuries.
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