SHORTHEATH. Willenhall, Staffordshire. 12th. November, 1879.

The colliery was the property of the Pelsall Coal and Iron Company. Mr. Michael Harle was the manager. There was an explosion at the colliery which cost six lives. The colliery worked several seams and a number of men were working to open up the Fireclay Coal. They had driven a heading only a few yards and were working under the direction of John Slack, the head engineer.

About 1 p.m., Edward Greenway, the banksman, was about to send down some timber down the shaft which was about 100 yards deep and was met by a rush of smoke and sulphur up the shaft. After a few minutes, he shouted down the shaft and someone shouted back, “Fetch Help.”

He was alone at the pit bank but ran 200 yards to another pit for assistance. Some men said that they would help him and two others joined them as the party went back to the pit. He lowered them slowly down the shaft but they had to be brought up again because of the fumes. When they reached the top large quantities of cold water were poured down the pit in an effort to improve the ventilation. About an hour later the men were again lowered and this time they were able to get to the bottom but were unable to stay very long, but long enough to discover the six bodies. Later the bodies were brought to the surface and the working examined when it was found that there was not much damage.

Those who died were:

  • John Slack aged 32 years, head engineer,
  • Joseph Frost aged 53 years, chartermaster,
  • Edward Grant aged 32 years, deputy,
  • Benjamin Deakin aged 35 years, hanger-on,
  • William Wood aged 20 years, pikeman and
  • George Henworth aged 49 years, pikeman, landlord of the Duke of Cambridge Inn.

The inquiry into the accident was held at the Great Western Hotel, Birmingham on the 12th November before Mr. J. Mottram, Q, Judge of the Birmingham County Court. Mr. Harle was the certificated manager of the colliery and was represented by Mr. Lewis of Walsall and Mr. Baker, Inspector of Mines was also present.

It was stated at the inquest that the colliery management had taken great care in working the mine since the explosion about 6 years ago. It was thought that the gas came from old workings as; previous to the present management the colliery had been worked by Messrs. Boaz Bloomer and Son, and had ignited at a naked light.

As a result of the explosion, the manger faced charges of not providing adequate ventilation. He placed great faith in the annular aperture between the scaffold and the brickwork of the shaft. This would have been all right if the ventilation pipes had passed under the scaffold but they did not. The colliery was supposed to be free of gas and Mr. Harle had the full confidence of the Company but the full system of ventilation was not carried out and there was not sufficient ventilation under the scaffold as the aperture would be expected to be filled with coal dust and debris. The gas was fired by a naked candle of one of the men.

The court ordered Harle to pay the costs of the inquiry but was unable to find him guilty of gross negligence and they did not think it necessary to withdraw his certificate.

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspector Report, 1879. Mr. Baker.
Colliery Guardian, 14th November 1879, p.786, 14th May 1880, p.780.

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

 

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