RAMROD HALL. Oldbury, Staffordshire. 13th. August, 1856.

The colliery was owned by Lord Ward and was at White Heath Gate. The explosion occurred because of bad ventilation. This was due to the neglect of the ‘butty’, Thomas Barker who did not discharge the 17th. Rule and did not inspect the mine before the men descended. Of the sixteen men and boys who were in the mine at the time of the explosion, eleven were killed.

Those who died were:

  • Thomas Barker aged 23 years,
  • R. Cartwright aged 43 years,
  • John Sheldon aged 36 years,
  • Thomas Shaw aged 35 years,
  • Thomas Round aged 34 years,
  • John Walletts aged 28 years,
  • William Simpson aged 33 years,
  • Samuel Willett aged 26 years,
  • J. Fulford aged 16 years,
  • John Bryan aged 13 years,
  • T. Hampton aged 18 years.

At the inquest it emerged that on the morning of the disaster the men descended one of the shafts. One of them had a lighted candle which was seen to burn blue, indicating the presence of gas. The candle was blown out and the occupants told the banksman. By the regulations, a lamp should have been used to test for gas before the men went down. This rule was neglected.

Another skip containing seventeen or eighteen men was lowered and a man named Barker ordered some live coals to be placed in it. There was no reason given for this action. The explosion took place as they were being lowered. The accident was put down to the fact that there were two shafts at the mine and water was being drawn off which forced the foul air up the other shaft.

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1856. Mr. Brough.
The Staffordshire Advertiser.

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.

Return to previous page