Ubberley colliery explosion 1851
Researched by John Lumsdon
Early on Monday morning on the 25th August 1851 at Ubberley colliery near Hanley, the property of John Ridgway, Esq., of Cauldron Place, was the scene of a most disastrous occurrence. As a precautionary measure the use of safety lamps had been generally insisted upon. But such appeared to be the safe conditions of the works, after close inspection that at the request of the managers a number of lamps were withdrawn on Friday, the men having for sometime worked without them and only used them on entering the works, according to orders as a test for safety. The pits were left in good condition on Saturday and the fire lamps for promoting ventilation were attended to as usual through Sunday and were found burning well when the men returned on Monday morning.
The pits at which the accident happened are the Sampson pits and are the principle ones at the colliery. Between six and seven it would seem between thirteen men and boys descended the engine shaft in two wagons. Seven took the south way into the level and six the north, the latter shutting after them the doors of communication between these different parts of the works a circumstance to which their preservation from the effects of the explosion that soon afterwards occurred may be attributed.
We may also mention that all the men on the north side were provided with lamps, that part of the works being considered the most doubtful. Ralph Hancock, a trusted butty took the lead on entering the south side, with a safety lamp in his hand, followed at some distance by his six companions, having amongst them several lighted candles.
Hancock had scarcely proceeded 300 yards in the workings (ascertained by the situation in which his body was found), before an explosion of foul air took place. How it was caused must now remain a mystery, for there is no survivor today. If it was attributable to the lamp itself, or whether Hancock failed to hold the lamp high enough to test perfectly the safety of the place, and the foul air being disturbed by his passing along, was ignited by the candles of those who followed.
The latter is the prevalent conjecture among persons conversant with such matters. One thing is clear; the lamp was shattered to pieces and blown from Hancock’s hands 50 yards towards the pit shaft, while he and all his companions must have instantly perished. The blast flew up the shaft with a hissing sound, well known to colliers and told the sad tale of what happened beneath. Two bold fellows quickly descended and had the joy to find the men in the north side of the works in safety. They united to explore the scene of danger and proceeded, at great risk to themselves, in search of their ill fated companions, but were obliged to desist for a while from their melancholy task in consequence of the works not yet clear.
The alarm soon spread from the pit bank to the adjacent collieries and surrounding neighbourhood and the most prompt measures were taken, first for the rescue of the living, and next, for the bring up of the bodies of the dead. Among the former was a lad who should have accompanied Hancock and his companions into the workings, but for some cause had remained near the bottom of the shaft instead of following them along the level, and hearing the rush, slipped down between some wagons and most providentially escaped.
Happily plenty of help was soon at hand and no time was left in purifying the air by turning water down the shaft. The men who first descended were quite exhausted when again drawn up, but with medical attention were soon restored. When the search was resumed, the awful effects of the explosion were seen in the doors being blown off, the damaged roof, and masses of rubbish which interrupted the airways and obstructed the various passes, a greater portion of mischief being done towards the entrance of the level than near the extremity of the mine. The mangled appearance of some of the bodies was indicative of their having been blown about and severely bruised, but others lay as if fallen asleep.
Soon after the search commenced, a young man named Ephraim Mountford, in the anxiety to recover the body of his brother George, pressed precipitately forward, was overcome by the foul air and would have fallen a victim to the promptings of fraternal affection, had not those behind him found him lying in a state of stupor and afforded timely aid.
Before any of the bodies were recovered, preparations had been made for their reception and notice of the sad catastrophe had been humanely sent to their respective families. As the bodies were brought out of the pit, the sight of so many fellow creatures, so awfully cut off, was truly an affecting one, for though the sufferers were dressed and covered with flannel, their remains still presented a shocking spectacle as they were borne from the pit to the carts waiting to convey them to the homes which they had so recently left in the vigour of health and strength. The following is a list of the sufferers;
Ralph Hancock, of Upper Hanley, age 55 married, six children.
William Hopkins, of Upper Hanley, age 50 married, family grown up.
Thomas Jones, Well Street Hanley age 37 widower three young children.
Edward forester, Well Street Hanley age 47 married, seven children
George Mountford, Eaves Lane Bucknall age 19 single.
George Sumner, Bucknall age 20 single.
John Goodfellow, Bucknall a lad age 14.
In about three hours from the time of the accident the sad scene was closed, and the assembled multitudes were bending their way homeward, their conduct having been eminently orderly and their sympathies exited to a painful degree. Mr. Ridgway and his nephews (Messrs Bale and Saunders) were on the spot as soon as they could be fetched and rendered all assistance in their power, and it must be added in justice to the bailiffs and other officers of the establishment, that nothing could exceed their anxiety and exertion. Immediate care was taken of the four widowed wives as well as the fatherless children and we feel assured they will not be forgotten by the benevolent proprietor of the works after the day of morning is ended.
For more detailed particulars of the calamity we refer to the report of the proceedings at the inquest as given below. The reparations of the mine, we understand, are being rapidly proceeded with as that the colliers and their families may not suffer for the want of work, and that the manufacturers and others who have been supplied by this large concern may not be incommoded; indeed we expect the repairs will be almost completed before this meets the eye of the reader.
We might in conclusion say something of the care bestowed by Mr. Ridgway to ensure the safety and comfort of his men, and his deep feeling of sorrow at the occurrence of this painful accident; but this is unnecessary and we forbear, sincerely hoping that as it is the first of a like fatal character that has happened for many years in the district, so it may be the last we shall have to report.
The Inquest
At 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning an inquisition was commenced by Mr. Harding, Esq., when Mr. Ridgway was present. The Coroner addressing the jury said the report he had received simply informed him of the death of seven men on the previous Monday morning. He was happy to say that an accident of so serious a character as the present had not occurred in his district since 1832 or 1833 when an explosion occurred in a pit at Bignall End, by which 12 lives were sacrificed. In this case the jury would have to enquire, as to what was the cause of the death of these unfortunate men. The explosion took place in a pit belonging to Mr. Ridgway. He was happy to see Mr. Ridgway present. He considered it was the duty of coal masters or agents at whose works loss of life occurred to be present at the inquest in order if possible to ascertain what occasioned the accident and where requisite, to make such alterations as might be suggested by the circumstances developed by the inquiry in order to obviate similar occurrences in future.
The jury would have to ascertain when those unfortunate men went down the pit, how long were they there, and as far as possible what occurred when they were there. It was the custom in almost every colliery where the least idea of foul air existed to use safety lamps, but unfortunately colliers would at times neglect this proper precaution and use naked candles in order to obtain a better light and do more work. It would therefore important to enquire whether the men were using naked candles at the time of the accident and whether those candles were the cause of the explosion. He would advert to only one other circumstance, and that he considered a most extraordinary one. In the 13th and 14th Vic., an Act was passed giving certain information to owners of mines as to what should be their duty in such cases. The first section directed that when loss of life occurred in any way connected with collieries, it should be the duty of the coal master or agent, to give notice to the Secretary of State within 24 hours of the occurrence; and in case of neglect to do so, the master or agent rendered himself liable to a fine of £20 and it became the duty of the coroner to make the requisite communication.
Since the passing of that Act most serious cases had occurred in this district and he had always ascertained whether a communication had been made to the Secretary of State or not; and in all cases where it had been neglected he had he made the necessary report, but the only result that ever followed was a mere acknowledgement of the letter.
Under that Act Inspectors were appointed whose proscribed duty was to visit the work where the accident occurred, in order to ascertain whether there were any defects in the works or arrangements, and to direct the making of such alterations as might be necessary. In no case had an Inspector visited this district, and all together there was an extraordinary omission of carrying out the provisions of the act. He believed there were only 4 Inspectors appointed, and, supposing them to visit the scenes of as many accidents as possible, one would not be able to attend this district more than once in 7 or 8 years.
The appointment of 4 Inspector for the whole Kingdom was most ridiculous. They might as well appoint one Guardian of the poor for 4 counties. He believed that Mr. Ridgeway had communicated with the Secretary of State as directed by the Act, but had not received any reply, nor had any Inspector arrived. In a case involving so serious loss of life it would have been highly satisfactory to the jury and to Mr. Ridgway if an Inspector had been down and examined the works. If the provision of the Act had been carried out, it might be one of the most useful characters. But looking at the manner in which its instructions were neglected, he could not but regard it as one of the most ridiculous and absurd. The coroner added that a painful duty remained to be performed, that of viewing the bodies, more especially as he understood some of them were much mutilated. However, he did not consider it necessary to view them all. One or two of those most adjacent to the inquest room would be sufficient. The coroner and jury then proceeded to view the bodies.
On their return Mr. Ridgeway asked permission for his bailiff to be present during the inquiry, which was at once acceded to. Mr. Ridgway was the first witness sworn. He said he was proprietor of Ubberley colliery. He gave information to the Secretary of State on the day of the accident. He caused the letter to be transmitted by post. He had not received any reply, or seen or heard of any Government Inspector. Mr. Ridgeway then made a statement, which was not taken in evidence, to the effect that a Government Inspector, who was in the neighbourhood 3 or 4 years ago, visited his works and afterwards a printed report was published in which the method of ventilation and mode of working his pit were spoken very highly spoken of. About 12 months ago another Inspector examined the works, and in a subsequent conversation he had with him, the Inspector said that the ventilation was as complete as possible.
The coroner remarked that those Inspectors could not be under the Act he alluded to, as it was not then in operation. Hr. Ridgway said they were probably gentlemen engaged in collecting information on which to base the Act. The men in his pits were divided into companies of 7 or 8, over whom a butty was appointed, and written instructions were given to him. It was the duty of the butty to enter the pit in the morning with a safety lamp and ascertain whether it was free from foul air, before the men entered it. It was also the duty of the butties to examine the ait hole and ascertain that the ventilation was not obstructed.
On the Friday prior to the accident, the butty had reported the pit as totally free from foul air and it was probably that sultry weather had occasioned the sudden accumulation, which must had subsequently occurred.
Richard Edwards said he was a collier, employed at Ubberley colliery as a butty. He was at the works on Monday morning. About half-passed six o’clock, Ralph Hancock, William Hopkin, George Mountford, George Sumner, and a boy named James Goodman went down the pit. In a few minutes afterwards Edward Forrester, Ephraim Mountford, Joseph Knight, John Goodfellow, Thomas Jones and a boy, named Henry James with 2 others went down. He, (Edwards) remained on the bank, and in about 7 or 8 minutes after they had gone down he heard an explosion. He waited a few minutes and as soon as he considered it safe, he and John James descended the pit.
When they got to the bottom of the shaft, they found 4 men and 2 boys unhurt. They then proceeded to where the fire had been. They found it had occurred in “South Ten-footmine.” About 100 yards from the shaft they found the bodies of 3 men. William Hopkin, John Goodfellow, and Thomas Jones; they all lay within the space of 3 yards, and were quite dead. Ephraim Mountford rushed forward to look for his brother, but he was overcome by the foul air and fell. Witness rescued him. Finding it impossible to proceed further in consequence of the foul stale air; they returned to the bank, and witness ordered some water to be thrown down. As soon as that was done, they again descended the pit to search for the other men. It was something more than an hour before that was accomplished. Edward Forrester and George Sumner were found next, they were quite dead. In about 2 hours afterwards the other 2 men, George Mountford and Ralph Hancock, who had gone further into the pit were found both dead, they were 300 yards from the bottom of the shaft. Witness picked up Hancock and assisted in getting the bodies back to the bottom of the pit.
In reply to a question from Mr. Keeling, Edwards said it was his duty to inspect the pit and see it was in proper working order. He considered Ralph Hancock in charge of the south side. In reply to the coroner he said, on the proceeding Friday he was at the place where the explosion occurred. The mine was quite free from foul air at that time. All the men that worked in that pit had been furnished with safety lamps. On Friday night he saw Hancock with the lamps and asked him what he was going to do with them. Hancock said he was going to deliver them up to Mr. Farrin, the bailiff, as he was perfectly satisfied that he could do without them. Witness told him he should keep one to take into the pit in the morning. The men worked in the pit with candles on Saturday and considered it safe. In reply to Mr. Keeling, he said the men who were first met with, appeared worst burnt. In reply to a juror he said Hancock was managing man of that party and was responsible for anything that might occur.
In Answer the coroner, he said at the time he was down the pit on Friday, he considered the Works were in such a condition that it was safe for Hancock to deliver up the lamps, but thought it would be prudent for the men to enter the pit with one in the morning, if they did not work by them. When they went down on Monday morning all the men going to the north side had lamps, but Hancock was the only man for the south side who had a lamp. Witness did not know whether any of them had candles; they only lights taken down the pit were lamps. They had worked by candles for the last month. Replying to a juror he said he did not consider there was any danger working by candles. In answer to the coroner he said he found a lamp rather nearer the mouth of the shaft than Hancock. The doors were blown in the direction of the shaft. The coroner remarked that there was no evidence to show that Hancock had the lamp. He being the leader of the party it was reasonable to suppose that he would have it: but they could not make evidence of that. In reply to questions from Mr. Pierce, the witness said he attributed the sudden accumulation of sulphur, to the hot whether. In his opinion the airways were sufficiently large. In his reply to the coroner he said, it was the rule for the leading man to go first with the lamp every morning. There was a person appointed to keep up a regular current of air by attending the fires on Sundays. Replying to a juror, he said he could not ascertain whether the lamp had burst, or whether the explosion had been caused by a candle. The air must be very bad to explode from a lamp. On some occasions he had seen a pit clear on the morning and by dinner time all the men obliged to leave.