This was one of the Haydock Collieries owned by Richard Evans and Co. It was situated close to King, Queen and Legh pits.
21st. August 1876. Martin Brannan aged 60 years, a dataller was killed when he and two other men were repairing the haulage brow when a lashing chain attached to 4 tubs to the endless rope broke and the tubs ran back down the brow crushing him before he could get to a refuge place which was 6yds below where they were standing. (Mines Inspectors Report)
25th. September 1891.
Serious Accident.
The new pit was being sunk and William Morton, a middle-aged man, was working as a sinker when a large stone fell on his back crushing him very badly. Dr. Haywood attended him in the Cottage Hospital and he was reported to be in a critical condition. (St Helens Lantern)
11th. November 1892.
William Purfleet of Blackbrook was working as a sinker when some stuff fell from the side and hurt the lower part of his back. He was taken to the hospital where he was reported to be progressing as favourably as may be expected. (St Helens Lantern)
3rd. April 1897.
A man named Birchall aged 24 years, a collier was killed when he had just drawn a prop in the main roadway there being chocks and packs on each side and apparently the roof appeared strong but when he was taking a length of rail the roof fell on him. The drawing prop appears to have caused the accident. (Mines Inspectors Report)
3rd. June 1897.
William Lloyd aged 29 years, a collier was killed. He had propped up the roof to within two feet six inches of the face but a slip running parallel to the coal face caused the roof to fall between the prop and the face. (Mines Inspectors Report)
7th. January 1898.
A Haydock Miner Crushed To Death.
On Monday evening Mr. Brighouse, the County Coroner, held an inquest of the death of Joseph Molyneaux, a collier living at Lime Kiln Lane, Haydock who met with fatal injuries on Princess pit Haydock on Wednesday last and died on Friday morning. Mr. Matthews, Inspector of Mines, and Mr. Watkinson, the certificated manager of the colliery, were present along with other gentlemen. Ann Molyneaux aged 57 years of the same address said that the deceased was her husband and was 35 years of age. She last saw him on Wednesday morning when he went to work and she was at the hospital when he died on Friday. Frederick Speakman said he was his drawer and was working with the deceased and had commenced work at about eight and the fireman Coyle came to visit them before breakfast and one or two props had been set on the side of the place at the firemans visit. When the fall came there was no room for any more props. The deceased seemed to think it was quite safe. If he had wanted more timber there was plenty there. The deceased asked him to fill the last few shovels of coal. They got down to the bottom coal and were going to get earth down when the deceased knocked out one prop and struck at the second and the roof came down on top of him. Speakman said that the roadway was three yards wide and they were ribbing up. He did not see any breaks on the roof. Coyle, the fireman, stated that he had visited the deceased on the day and saw him first at 8.15 and ten at 12 o’clock and at quarter to one. The deceased was a good collier. He did not see any slips before the accident but he did see one afterwards. Mr. Watkinson said that Coyle had been a fireman for eighteen months and that he was a very capable man. The jury returned a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
11th. March 1898.
Breach Of Coal Mines Regulation Act.
At Newton Petty Sessions before Captain Withington, Mr, Stewart appeared on behalf of Richard Evans & Company and Mr. H.L. Riley of St. Helens for the defendant Mr. Mitchinson against whom the summons had been brought. Mitchinson was charged with a breach of Rule 48 which specified that every man should set sprags under the coal. He was working at Princess pit on the 4th. February at 6.30 a.m. and had holed the coal to a depth of four feet for a length of twelve feet. Between 6.30 and 7, Harold Stevenson, the assistant general manager, found Mitchinson holing under the coal to bring it down. He called the miner’s attention to the fact that there were no sprags and there was as lip in the coal which meant a very dangerous situation. Stevenson told him to set sprags and there was plenty of timber. Bibby and Caunce other colliery officials also told him to do the same. On the second visit by Stevenson, it was found that one sprag had been set and he had continued holing. The sprag set was in a position to lever the other end of the coal down. Orders were given to fence the place off and Mitchinson was sent home for the day. Mitchinson, aged 22 years was ordered to pay a fine of 20/- and costs. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
18th. June 1898.
Terrible Fatality At Haydock.
Elizabeth Rowley, a waggon setter was killed by the locomotive as she was pushing a wagon past the screens. She was walking up the lines and did not hear and was run over. The driver did not whistle and the brakesman was between the two coal waggons although he stated that he was watching but did not see her until she was between the wheels. Elizabeth Rowley of Haydock was a single woman aged 22 years, of Copperhouse Row, Ashton-in-Makerfield was knocked down and killed on Saturday at Princess pit Haydock. The deceased was a pit brow girl who worked in connection with the coal screens. Shortly after 11 o’clock she came from under the screen and walked towards the mainline along the colliery railway. She was unfortunate not to notice five empty waggons coming down the line. She was knocked down and killed on the spot. On Tuesday morning the deputy coroner held the inquiry. Mr. Henry Hall, the Inspector was there, as was John Rawlinson, the colliery manager, John Latham traffic manager and Inspector Scott. Emma Rowley said that she was the wife is Issac a collier and mother to the deceased. On Saturday Elizabeth left home at 4.20 a.m. to go to work. She was a coal waggon trimmer and was all right when she left home. She had been in bed on Friday with a slight headache and her mother said that she was a bit deaf in one ear. Later the same day she saw her lying dead in Haydock Cottage Hospital. Elizabeth Swift said she was a coal trimmer at the Princess colliery. On the morning in question, they had both started work at 5 a.m. and the deceased was in a waggon picking out dirt. At 10.15 the deceased went away and said she was going to pop to the shop on the main road and she would have to cross the line as there was no fence over. She did not see what became of her afterwards but saw her dead. James McDonald, a lad of 14 years who lived in Ashton, and worked at the pit said that on Saturday at 1015 he was on the jigger when he saw three-decker leave the screen. She walked straight down the middle of the lines and did not cross over. He saw her walk about 36 yards and then she went behind the waggons and he called ‘Elizabeth’ loudly but she took no notice and he saw the waggon knock her down. The witness saw no brakesman on the waggon and he did not hear the engine whistle. Thomas Pimblett, brakesman, of Church Road, Haydock, said the at 10.15 on Saturday some empty coal waggons were being shunted on the main Princess pit line to the mainline. He was between the first and second waggon and could not see more for 10 yards past the first waggon and he did not see the deceased until the accident had happened. He noticed the waggons lift up and when he looked down he saw the girl there. He gave a signal and put the brake on. When he went down the girl was lying across the rails with her head about four feet away the wheels of four waggons had passed over her and she was quite dead. The coroner said that the jury had to decide if it was an accident. The boy had said that she was walking down the lines and this was a foolish thing to do but they had to decide if the brakesman had not done his duty. The verdict was ‘Accidental Death’ and decided to urge on the brakesman the importance of keeping a good lookout. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian) (Mines Inspectors Report)
12th. January 1898.
Joseph Seddon aged 35 years, a collier was killed when he was in the act of getting down the lag from the end of the face when a stone fell on him from between two slips. The roof was propped and not barred. (Mines Inspectors Report)
24th.September 1898.
John F. Parry aged 24 years, a dataller was killed as he was sitting down, waiting for a hammer, when a stone fell from the side of the roadway injuring him slightly in the back. Died from inflammation of the brain in Haydock Hospital on the 1st. February 1899.
8th. June 1900.
Sad Accident At Haydock.
On Thursday last while working overtime at the colliery Walter Billinge son of Mr. Jacob Billinge of The Willows, Haydock met with an accident. He had only recently been taken on in the engine room and had previously worked at Evans and McClure at Earlestown. In starting the engine his left arm was caught in the wheel and was completely crushed up to two inches below the elbow. It was a miracle that he was not killed outright. It was an hour before he was liberated and the engine had to be taken to pieces. He was taken to the Cottage Hospital where Dr. Hayward attended his injuries and had to amputate the forearm he is doing as well as can be expected. Mr. Billinge was attending the opening of the new Infirmary at Warrington and the news of the sad accident reached him by telegram. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
2nd. August 1900.
Fatal Accident At Haydock Colliery.
Robert Boardman aged 44 years, a contractor of 15, Vista Road, Haydock, was killed as he was waiting to go up the shaft. The hooker on knocked for the cage and left the bottom of the shaft temporally to attend to a pit bottom lamp when he got back he heard a scream and the deceased had tried to get into the middle deck of the cage when it was being lowered. He died in the Cottage Hospital from injuries. At the inquest into the death of Robert Boardman at the Waggon and Horses in front of Mr. Brighouse, the coroner, the jury heard the evidence of identification by Mary Ann Brown with whom he lodged with Joseph Hughes the runner in said that at 4 a.m. the deceased came to the pit eye and asked to go up the shaft. The witness then left the deceased to go to the office about 20 yards away. He had not gone many yards when he heard the deceased shouting and he found him lying injured in the middle deck of the cage. With the assistance of Arthur Hardman, he got him to the surface and he was taken to the hospital. The deceased was trying to get into the cage and his shoulder was dislocated and the shoulder blade crushed. The deceased had tried to get into the cage before he was told to do s John McDonald the engine winder he got the signal ‘3’ to tell him that the man was ready he then got ‘1’ and then ‘2’ to stay where he was the accident must have happened then. The deceased must have got into the cage when it was in motion. Arthur Hardman the assistant fireman at the pit said the at about 4 a.m. he heard someone shouting and he found the deceased lying in the middle of the cage the legs were inside and his legs lying out. With the assistance of Hughes, the cage was lowered and then he was taken out of the pit. The witness thought he had been getting into the middle deck not knowing which deck it was. The coroner said it was clear that the engine winder moved the cage upwards and the deceased had no right to get into the cage until the loader came back. The witness Hughes was recalled. He gave the ‘3’ signal and then went away he thought that the cage would take a little while to get to the bottom. Whether the witness was there or not the deceased had no right to get into the cage. Mr Hall said that it was Hughes bushiness to stay at the shaft until the man got safely away. The verdict was ‘accidental death’ and a caution for Hughes that he should not leave the shaft while the men were waiting to go up. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian) (Mines Inspectors Report)
6th. November 1900.
Haydock Pit Fatality.
Arthur Thorpe aged 18 years, a haulage hand was killed whilst lowering some tubs to couple them he was in front and they overpowered him through some men pushing (at his request) from behind, and he was crushed against the stationary tubs. Died on the 19th. in Haydock Hospital. At the inquest held by Mr. Brighouse at the Waggon and Horses at Haydock into the death, it was said he was working in one of the shunts in the mine and was crushed by some waggons. It was stated that he was conscious all the time he was in the hospital but never gave an account of what had happened. The sister at the hospital was called and asked if there was any means by which the statements of the injured could be heard while they were in the hospital. A verdict of ‘Accident death’ was returned. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
30th. November 1900.
Extraordinary Incident At Haydock Colliery.
The haulage hands employed at the pit had an alarming experience last Friday. It appears that about 6 pm they were at the bottom of the shaft which is 800 yards deep. The three-deck cage had been taken to the top of the shaft and a signal was given to the enginewinder who started the engine and the cage it the top of the shaft was taken up a few inches so that the catches might be removed. By some means, the browman failed to get the catches clear. The engine started at full speed. The result was that 24 men at the bottom of the shaft lifted about 200 yards to the middle of the shaft and the heavy wire rope at the top of the shaft went flying all over the place causing consternation amongst the browhands. The men in the cage were kept in the position for about three hours before it could be put right. A message was sent to them not to stir out of the cage. The ventilation made the shaft very cold and they were suffering from the effects of their long wait in the cramped cage. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
24th. April 1901.
Questions About The Hospital.
John McGee aged 15 years, a haulage hand was sent to empty bricks out of a tub which was placed near a wheel around which the haulage rope was passing. the rope somehow caught him and pulled him around the wheel. He died on the 27th. The Inspector commented, “cause lack of care of those in charge”. At the inquest on the body of John McGee, of Patrick who lived in Juddfield Street, Haydock. The deceased was helping some men to empty bricks from tubs near an angle wheel and the rope was in motion and he was caught by the wheel and his skull was fractured. The accident was not seen and he was taken to the hospital and died later. Nurse Jack, the sister at the Hospital was questioned and asked for a statement that McGee might have made in the hospital. He had asked him how the accident happened but he had made no reply. The jury returned a verdict ‘Accidental Death’ and the coroner stated that he and the jury had been discussing another matter relating to the death on how the Haydock Hospital was supported and was told that it was supported by an honorary committee. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
4th. April 1902.
Accident At Haydock Colliery.
T. Turner aged 18 years, of Gibraltar Cottages, Earlestown was reported to have been admitted to the Cottage Hospital suffering from severe injuries to the chest and body caused by being crushed between full boxes of coal at Princess Pit. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
5th. December 1902.
Patrick Galvin aged 21 years, a contractors man was killed as they were removing dirt from the roof when a large stone fell capping several props and burying him. They had previously taken out a chock from under the roof and replaced it with props which ad probably disturbed the roof. (Mines Inspectors Report)
14th. December 1900.
Accident To Haydock Collier.
Thomas Delaney aged 49 years, of 32, Lyme Street, Haydock was taken to the hospital with injuries to the lower part of the body. He was a contractor at the pit and at Tuesday at noon was working with others in the endless rope haulage and it came off the pulley and struck him a violent blow across the lower part of the body. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
10th. August 1903.
Thomas Taylor aged 24 years, a dataller was killed while assisting to repair the main level they had taken some bars from under the roof and were clearing the dirt to make room for new bars when a stone fell from the roof which had no supports at the point where the bars had been taken. (Mines Inspectors Report)
6th. May 1904.
Shocking Fatality At Haydock.
Patrick Holmes aged 23 years, a taker-off was killed when he was at the bottom of the jig when they appear to have signalled the jigger to start but the full tubs were jigged without taking the empties up and the full tubs crushed the deceased. At the inquest held at the Waggon and Horses Hotel by Mr. Brighouse, coroner, on the body of Patrick Holmes, John Robinson, the manager was also present at the inquest on behalf of the Company. The deceased was a taker-off working with a boy named John Roberts aged 16 years it was the lads first day at work. Six or seven journeys of boxes had been taken and Roberts brought in four empty boxes and the deceased five boxes. Roberts tied then together or said he did. When he had put the jigger ropes on the first boxes the deceased asked if it was alright and the signal was given to take then up the brow. The four empties were not fastened and on they came back knocked the poor fellow against a prop and split his head open. Mr. Matthews, the Inspector, inspected the place and he could not see how the jigger rope had got loose as the link was probably attached to the hook. William Holmes, miner, of 236, Blackbrook Road, said the deceased was his son aged 21 years and he saw him dead at the Cottage Hospital. Roberts aged 16 years, said that it was his second day at work and he had worked in Darwin as a drawer for twelve months. On Thursday he was at the place of work the fireman had put him to the job at 6 a.m. and the accident happened at 8.30 a.m. The jury thought it was an accident owing to the jigger rope not being attached to the tubs. Verdict ‘Accidental death. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
24th. March 1905.
Earlestown Collier Killed.
John Champion aged 51 years, a dataller was killed as he was repairing the main brow and after taking out a bar he was commencing to loosen the next without any fresh support when the roof gave way and he was fatally injured. At the inquest into the death of John Champion, of Vista Road, Earlestown held by Mr. Brighouse in St. Helens the jury heard that at about 6 p.m. on Friday the deceased was working with Simon Ratcliffe in the Little Delph Mine. The fireman visited the place and after giving certain instructions left them roofing down. Everything seemed to be safe. About 8 p.m., the fireman heard the fall and found the deceased completely covered Ratcliffe was at the other side of the fall and escaped. Mr. Owen, the fireman, said he gave instructions to take out a bar and out another in its place. Contrary to instructions the deceased rolled the first bar off and left it to do something to the second bar but did not set another in the place of the first. Ratcliffe heard the roof going and told the deceased. ‘I suppose you heard that?’ The deceased replied that he could and went away a few yards. All was quiet for some time and they commenced work again. The deceased was going back to the leg of the second prop when the fall occurred. Mr. Robinson, the manager, said he had always found the man a good workman and he was surprised that he had acted as Ratcliffe said. John Cawfield a youth stated that he saw him knock out the second bar. Verdict ‘Accidental death’. The deceased was a Cornishman and came for St Ives to Earlestown and was a member of the Salvation Army in both towns and had been in Earlestown for two years. On Tuesday he had walked twenty miles collecting for the ‘Self Denial Fund’. The funeral took place at Parr and was conducted by Captain Green. The deceased was accorded full Salvation Army honours. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
18th. March 1904.
Haydock Colliery Sick Club.
Michael McDonald, of 222, Liverpool Road, Pewfall, Haydock, made a claim at the St Helens County Court under the Workman’s Compensation Act. He was employed at Princess pit and on 28th. December 1903 was descending in the cage when it was suddenly brought to stop with a jerk and hurt his knee. Compensation had been paid but it was alleged that for four weeks payment had not been received. Mr. John Robinson, the general manager for Richard Evans and Company, said under the rules of the Sick Club that a workman should allow the payments to be deducted from this payments and so he forthwith ceased to be the rule of the Club. The Judge allowed the man to pay the money to the Club and he was awarded £1 a week form the 12th. January. Mr. Riley asked for costs on a higher scale because this affected some 5000 workmen who were employed and this had been brought as a test case. The judge declined to award costs on a higher scale. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
17th. September 1906.
Haydock Pit Fatality.
John Rose aged 49 years, a collier was killed as he was travelling to his working place along the haulage slant when he got run over by some full tubs of dirt which some repairers were lowering down but failed to hold. He died on the 23rd. At the inquest at the Waggon and Horses on Tuesday it was heard that on the morning of the 17th. John Rose aged 49 years of 52, Juddfield Street. Haydock, was brought home injured. Mrs. Rose said that her husband suffered from fractured ribs and died on Saturday. Charles Leivesley, a haulage hand of 102, Blackbrook, Haydock, said he went to work on the 16th. at 5 p.m. and worked all night hauling for colliers and contractors. At 5.05 a.m. witness pulled two boxes of dirt down the tram and the boxes went down the incline about 1 in 20. The rope was stopped to allow men to go along the brow. He was told to move three boxes by hand to the bottom of the brow he had to push them for some distance and it was best to put scotches in. Some yards away the road was crossed by brattice cloths for ventilation. Leivesley said that he went safely through two of the cloths and was son his way throng the third cloth and it knocked him down and he lost his hold on the boxes. The deceased tried to get into the manhole but he was caught. The coroner asked what would happen if they were allowed to run down by themselves and he was told that they would have smashed into something in the level and they would not have run at all if they had had scotches. There was one in the first box, not in the second. He had worked there for twelve months. Richard William, of 326, Clipsley Lane, said he had suggested that they take the boxes down separately by Leivesley said that he could manage the three. The witness helped him with the first brattice cloth and when he left him the iron scotches were in at the time. He could not say if the scotches were found tin the boxes where they stopped. Joseph Heynes, a fireman of 56, Crow Street, Earlestown, told the men the brow was clear for the men to go up at 4.35 and he had expected that the boxes would have been taken down by rope before the rope stopped. The Inspector said he was very doubtful that the boxes would have run down the brow if they had been scotched the gradient was not steep enough but it was indefensible to down safely workout scotches. Verdict, ‘Accidental Death’, and sympathy was expressed by the coroner to the widow and the family. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
22nd. February 1906.
Collier Killed At Haydock.
Michael Hannon aged 32 years, a contractors man of Chapel Street, Haydock was killed as they were about to do some roof ripping on a roadway and went under to take up some rails when the roof fell from a slip the props having been set on the other side of the slip. When working during the night he was buried by a fall of roof and the inquest was held by Mr. Jones, the coroner. James Hennigen of Clarence Street a fireman said the men were working on a road that had to be increased in height. It was well timbered when they started but after ten minutes it fell in and killed him. Joseph Shepherd, of 337, Church Road, Haydock was working with Andrew Melia and the deceased was taking up some rails when the roof fell. Melia said a stone weight 30 cwts fell out of the roof with come dirt and covered the deceased. After they had broken the stone they rescued him but he was dead. Mr. Hall, the Inspector, said he could find no definite cause of the accident the stone just came out from a slip in the roof as if the men had done it themselves. It was extraordinary that it should come down so soon after they had started work. A juryman suggested that the deceased might have knocked the prop but this was no thought to be the case. A verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was returned. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
23rd. September 1908.
Miner Killed At Haydock.
John Davis aged 58 years, a dataller, was travelling down the self-acting endless rope brow and was found crushed by a full tub against a low bar. It probably happened when he reached over to the electric signal to move the tub which would have been opposite each other. At the inquiry, it was advised to enlarge the brow. At the inquest on 2nd October 1908, at the Waggon Inn, Haydock, it was stated that John Davies, of Vincent Street, died of injuries. Mrs. Davies said he was 63 years of age and she saw him the same evening at the cottage hospital when he died at 11.50 on Thursday he did not tell her how he received his injuries. He had worked at the pit for ten years. Thomas Beckett of Blackbrook Road, a daywageman, said he started work at 6 a.m. on Wednesday and ceased to work about three in the afternoon. He went to the top of the west lashing brow and saw him standing waiting to get the signal from Walter Storer the lasher-on. A few minutes later they got permission to go down the brow. When they started there was the full box in the motion. They did not expect the rope to start while they were in but it did and he saw the deceased 215 yards ahead and heard groans and found the deceased lying on his back. Further up there was a broken bar in the roof. He was taken to the hospital but he did not say how he got hurt. John Wynne the fireman of Blackbrook Road. He heard of the accident and had him removed from the pit. It was thought that he was getting over the full tub when it stared and the bar crushed him. Walter Storer said he received the signal from Walter Large who was in charge of the other end of the brow. Later he received a signal to ‘stretch up’ and he released the brake and let the tubs go a few yards. Someone then knocked at the signal to move. Later he heard of the accident. The fireman thought that he slipped past while he was giving instruction to the other men. Walter Large said that shortly after 3 a.m. he received a signal that men were coming down and later there was a signal of 4 knocks to start but he could not say who knocked 4. The verdict was an accidental death and said that a man should be put in charge of the men as they were travelling on the brow. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
5th. August 1908.
Henry Green aged 61 years, a collier and as he was at the face when a fall occurred from some slips on him and killed him. (Mines Inspectors Report)
8th January 1909.
Coal Stealing At Haydock.
Catherine Bold was charged with stealing coal from a tip on December 22nd from Mr Picton a farmer. she said that she had been in the habit of buying coal from Picton by the bucket fulls. Her coal was used up and she took the coal intending to pay for it and without felonious intent. P.C. Steele said he was watching the tip and saw the woman taking coal from the tip she said that Picton had given permission to take it and he asked the woman to pay 2/6d. he would let her off She would not pay and she was summoned. In court, Picton said he thought it would be better for her to pay. She said she was very poor and had no coal in the house she was willing to pay for what she had but not 2/6d. Picton said people went in large numbers and stole coal. She was fined 5/- including costs. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
22nd. December 1909.
Edward Edwards aged 43 years, a collier, was going home on the colliery railway towards Pewfall pit he got on coal tram against orders and in getting off he fell under the waggons and was killed. (Mines Inspectors Report)
13th. August 1909.
Collier Killed.
At the inquest before Mr. Brighouse on Henry Green aged 61 years of Station Road, Haydock, who died in the Cottage Hospital from injuries received earlier in the day. John McGuire of 58 Clipsley Lane said he was working with Green in the working place and thought it safe. The fireman could see nothing working. After about 4 hours of work, Green was kneeling up against when a wedged stone fell on his shoulder and missed the witness by about six inches. The stone was six feet by four feet by eight inches came out of the roof at the face from between two slips. There had been a prop under it. The jury brought in a verdict of ‘Accidental death’. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
24th. June. 1910.
Haydock Miners Compensation Case.
Before Judge Sands, with Dr. Affleck, he heard evidence for a claimant for 15/- per week by Robert Williams, of Haydock, who was injured on the 6th. April at Princess pit. He was working in the pit on that date and hurt his back lifting a box of coal onto the rails and he got something from the Old Permanent Relief Society and was refused a certificate. The next morning he was unable to get up. Dr Dowling examined him and he subsequently asked the General Manager for compensation but they said that there were too many of them with bad backs. The doctor ordered the man back to be treated with hot fermentations and he had strained the muscles in his back and did not think compensation was needed in the conditions. The Judge ruled that it was due to the accident and compensation should be paid. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
25th. March 1911.
Henry Gough aged 59 years, a platelayer, was repairing behind some waggons when some other waggons were shunted on the same line and he was run over and killed. The foreman had omitted to expose the red flag to warn the brakesman that repairs were being done. (Mines Inspectors Report)
2nd. August 1912.
Peter Hall Parry aged 33 years, a collier, had filled three tubs with coal and was preparing to set a bar and two props at the coal when a fall of roof occurred parted at a slip parallel to the coal face and caught him on the head and body pinning him to the floor. He died before he could be got to the pit bottom. (Mines Inspectors Report)
3rd. October 1912.
Haydock Colliery Fatality.
Michael English aged 51 years, a dataller, was working with his companion without asking what he was doing went down an old brow into an old level end. Almost immediately there was a fall of roof and the material suffocated him. He must have disturbed the old supports. The inquest was held by Mr. F A. Jones, the deputy coroner, at the Waggon and Horses. English lived in Legh Street, Earlestown and was killed by a fall of roof in the Rushy Park Mine. William Bishop, of Vitriol Square, gave the evidence of identification and said that the deceased was a contractors labourer and a single man. Edward Webster of 108, Crow Lane, stated that he was the contractor employed by Evans at the pit and the deceased was employed by him as a labourer. At 2.30 on Thursday morning, he was working with the deceased taking out a bar from the roof when the deceased took his lamp and went down the disused jig way about four yards. The deceased said nothing to him and when he had been away for a couple of minutes he heard him shout Webster went to the place and found that there had been a fall of roof. He could not see him but heard him say pull the dirt away and get this bar off. The witness pulled some dirt and there was another fall of the roof. Then he and two other men named Atherton and Daley, who worked about 100 yards away, helped to release him at 7 a.m. He was in a crouching position and was quite dead. It appeared to him that the deceased had been climbing over the bar to the disturbing level and he could not say why he went there. William Atherton, a daywageman of 51, Juddfield Street, assisted in getting him out corroborated the evidence. Thomas Jones of 338, Clipsley Lane, was the fireman in the North Rushy Park district of the mine said he did not know why he had gone into this place and the jury brought in a verdict of Accidental death’. (Mines Inspectors Report) (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
4th. November 1914.
Patrick Concannon aged 38 years, a contractors man, was engaged in ripping down the pack in the caunch of a level road. While kneeling on the floor removing some stones there was a fall of the roof killing him instantly. It fell from two between two parallel beams. The fireman was satisfied with the state of the roof when he had visited earlier. (Mines Inspectors Report)
15th. December 1916.
Collier’s Death.
John Smith of 46, Clipsley Lane died in Haydock Cottage Hospital from injuries received on Sunday night at Princes pit of Messrs, Evans and Co, He leaves a widow and two children. (St. Helens Reporter)
9th. November 1917.
Haydock Colliery Manager Killed.
Mr. Roger Banks, the manager of the colliery, was killed in the mine a Sunday afternoon when he was getting into the wrong deck of the cage and was so badly crushed he died before he could be taken to the surface. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
21st. October 1927.
Sequel To Haydock Pit Accident.
There was a claim for compensation by John Gleave who had been employed for over forty years at Evan’s Collieries. Mr. Boucher detailed an accident to the man on the 19th. February 1920, when he was then a fireman at the Princess Pit. He was standing at the bottom of the shaft listening to noises in the shaft because long baulks of timber were being loaded and it was important to know if they were knocking against the side. He was trapped between a beam and some boxes which ran down and he was caught by the right thigh. His left was the only thing that prevented the fifteen boxes from going over the landing and into the sump. The applicant said that he was in danger of being carried into the sump with the boxes. He was in that position for over an hour before he was released. He was taken to Haydock Hospital where he remained for months with pleurisy and pneumonia. He was anxious to get back to work and was given light employment and later he began to do heavier work. In May 1925 the pain was so bad that he was struggling and he worked until April but was advised to give up work for some months. Dr. Healey admitted him to the hospital and said he had a soggy and waterlogged leg and this was due to the accident. Dr. Dowling of Haydock agreed and though he was suffering from sciatica. The medical referee found that the sciatica was not caused by the accident but he was granted a declaration of liability. If the leg became so bad that he was unable to work he would be granted compensation. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)
Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.
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