1
Sheriff Pit Explosion 1884
Researched by John Lumsdon
On Wednesday afternoon 14th May what might have proved a most serious explosion occurred at No. 6 Sheriff Pit, belonging to the Butterley Company, which resulted in the death of a youth, aged 14, named Charles Henry Evans, very serious injuries to a collier named Edward Brown and slight injury to another named Isaac Webb. The scene of the explosion was in “No.2. Top Row coal,” in which about 120 men were at work. As far as can be ascertained, the explosion was the result of a shot, which was fired by the man Brown. The place in which the man was at worked is said to be quite free from gas and it is surmised that the “dust” of which there is a large quantity, must have ignited.
The effects of the explosion were felt right through the “district” in which the men were at work, putting out most of their lamps, and causing a rush to the shaft, the men carrying their cloths in their hands. Dr. Collinette gives but little hope of the recovery of Brown, who was badly burned; on some parts of his body the flesh is actually rent from the bones.
The youth Evans, who had only been working in the pit for a week, seems to have met his death by the after damp, as he had hardly any burns upon him. There are a number of seams of coal worked in this shaft, and several explosions of greater or less severity have taken place in them. In July 1870 about 19 persons were killed by an explosion, and others have taken place, with loss of life and serious injuries
Adjourned Inquest
An adjourned inquest into the circumstances attending the recent explosion at the Sheriff Pit of the Butterley Company, situated at Silverdale, was held yesterday 20th June at the Swan Inn, Silverdale, before Mr. J. Booth, county coroner. Mr. Wynne, Government inspector of mines and Mr. Sawyer, assistant inspector, were present.
The explosion occurred on the 14th May, in “No. 2 Top Row Coal,” and caused the immediate death of a boy thirteen years of age, named Charles Henry Evans and injuries to several others, one of whom – Edward Brown, 37 years of age – died 5 days afterwards. Mr. Hollingshead appeared for the relatives of Brown, and Mr. James for the relatives of Evans; John Washington, who on the last occasion gave formal evidence as to the finding of the body of the boy, and the removal of the injured, was recalled, and stated that he did not of his knowledge know that shots had been fired in the dip. Replying to Mr. Wynne, he said he had not worked in that particular part for some time and had heard no complaints about gas.
Enoch Daniels, a fireman at the pit, was then called, and he said the explosion took place between 2 and 3 o’ clock, when he was about 300 yards off. In the morning he examined all the workings and found them clear free from gas; but he did not go over the place after the morning inspection. He reported accordingly in the report book. He had never found gas in those workings. Men were not allowed to fire the shots themselves, and he did not know Brown was to have a shot. Joseph Cooke fired the deceased shot, but he was absent that day. Cooke not being there, it would be the duty of Henry Jackson or of witness to fire the shots. He did not see any trace of gas in any other portions of the workings that day. The rush of air first drew his attention to the explosion: no sound was audible.
Witness made his escape as soon as he could to the bottom of the pit, where there were a good many men collected, and the previous witness being amongst them. These two and witness returned and on going into No. 2 dip the after damp was very strong. Brown was not got out but witness did not go up to get Evans out. About an hour and a half afterwards witness saw the place again for the purpose of making an examination, and noticed there was a shot which had blown out. He could not tell whether it was a heavy or light shot, but it was a fast one. No person had come to him asking him to fire a shot, and he never knew a man fire a shot himself, it being against the rules. When he saw the shot he had no doubt it was the cause of the explosion.
He never examined the return air passing through the dip, but would have seen gas if it were in the return air. In replying to Mr. Wynne, witness said it was not his duty to examine the return air. He was a butty in addition to being a fireman. There was no firemen independent of the butties. Henry Johnson was head butty, and the others were: Allen Johnson, Joseph Cooke and himself. Witness worked beyond Henry Johnson and along the same level there was a breakdown, which closed the places. He had tested it for gas every morning but found none. If there was gas from anywhere along that level it would have to pass over where the shot was fired, as that was the only course it could follow. Shenton, the underlooker, knew that, but witness had not spoken to him of it. Witness found a powder can at the top of the dip after the explosion, which Brown had taken there. He never knew Brown fire shots before. Cooke had sole charge of the place witness examined it, and Johnson had charge in his absence. There were indications of the explosion having been a severe one.
Henry Johnson, butty collier stated that he was working about 50 or 60 yards along the level from N. 2 dip, which was about70 yards long and the explosion knocked him down and blew out his lamp. Witness made examinations of the pit daily, and tested the accuracy of the reports in the book.
He did not do so, however, on the morning of the explosion. He had never seen gas in the workings. He always reckoned on the man in charge firing the shots. Enoch Daniels was in charge that day. They would have had to pass witness that day to get to Brown, and, so far as he saw, no messenger was sent along the workings. He had no idea Brown was to fire a shot: in fact he had never known the men to do so. In answer to Mr. Wynne, witness said the duty of Daniels other days was to “clean up,” and he was engaged in that work on the day of the explosion. If he was a fireman he would have thought it his duty to have gone up that place several times a day.
Isacc Webb, collier, was then called, and after examination by the coroner, stated in reply to Mr. Wynne, that he had see symptoms of gas when first working in the dip, about a month before the explosion. Allen Johnson himself saw it, and a thirling was opened for the purpose of letting it escape. In answer to a question by Mr. Hollingshead, he said Johnson was going round that day for the purpose of inspection.
Joseph Cooke, butty collier, said he was not present on the day of the explosion. When he made examinations he found the places perfect as regards ventilation. In reply to Mr. Wynne, he said he took the powder can in the day before the accident, but it was removed the same night. He thought there was a pond of powder in it. In reply to James, witness said that Brown had never to his knowledge fired a shot.
Mr Sawyer, assistant inspector, said a report as to the appearance after the explosion. The bore hole of the shot was 1ft 9 inches deep. He was of the pinion that the accident occurred through a blown shot, igniting coal-dust; and he would never fire a shot in a dusty mine. He found 3 or 4 cubic feet of gas in the pot-hole at the end of the level which had fallen in, but that was what might be expected where the ventilation was disarranged. He hardly thought sufficient gas would get out of these levels to have caused the explosion without the presence of dust. The shot was put in very unskilfully.
Mr. Wynne, inspector of mines: The most severe explosions were those were gas and dust were combined. It was not safe to fire a shot where it was possible that gas might have to go over the place, and in the present case there was no way for gas getting out except over the shot. The main quantity of the return air would go directly over the shot.
By Mr. James: If that shot had not blown out the explosion might not have occurred; but there was always the liability of a shot blowing out, and therefore there was always danger.
The shot was put in very unskilfully and an experienced person would not have fired it.
By Mr. Hollingshead: The position of the shot was not such as an experience fireman would have allowed to be fired. In view of the possibility of the shot being blown out, and the air and dust in such a condition, it was dangerous to fire the shot. If the shot had been done skilfully, he did not think the explosion would have taken place. At this stage a wish was expressed to have Allen Johnson called, and, he was not present, the inquest was further adjourned till 4th July.
Adjourned Inquest
The adjourned inquest into the circumstances attending the explosion on the 14th May was held yesterday 4th July before Mr. J. Booth, county coroner. It may be remembered that the explosion took place in “No. 2 Top Row coal” and resulted in the immediate death of a boy, 14 years of age named Charles Henry Evans. Edward Brown, 37 years of age, received so severe injuries that he died 5 days afterwards.
The inquiry was adjourned a fortnight ago for the purpose of hearing the evidence of one of the butties named Alan Johnson who, it appeared, was in charge of the place that day. The coroner did not think it necessary to call this man, but in deference to the wish of a jury-man the adjournment was made. The evidence of the witness previously called went to show that the explosion was caused by a blow-out shot fired by Brown. After hearing the additional evidence, a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.