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Explosion Railroad Pit 1839
By John Lumsdon
On Saturday morning 22nd June 1839 an accident of a fearful description occurred at on of Mr. Sparrow’s collieries, Lane End, by an explosion of firedamp, in a coal pit called “Railroad Pit,” whereby three individuals lost their lives and three others were seriously injured. The part of the mine in which the explosion took place was what is called, the Northern section, under the meadows below the iron furnace, and had been worked the previous day, (Friday) where no particular indication of danger was observed.
On the morning of the above mentioned a party of 8 or 9 men descended the shaft about six o’ clock and were proceeding to that part of the mine where they had been working the day before, led by a man named John Bill, who, contrary to the regulations of the colliery, took a lighted candle in his hand, in addition to a safety lamp, with which he in common with the other men, was provided.
On approaching the part where the inflammable gas, had accumulated, the candle which bill had in his hand came in contact with it, and an instantaneous explosion took place. Some time elapsed before the extent of the calamity was fully known, it being impracticable to proceed in the direction of the accident, until the foul air had disposed; however as soon as practicable, the search was made for the sufferers, where it was found that 5 men, namely, Thomas Beech, Peter Warren, William Williams, James Betton, and William Davenhill, were seriously burnt and as soon as possible they were taken to the North
Staffordshire Infirmary, where death terminated the sufferings of Peter Warren the same day and Thomas Beech on the following day; the other 3 men, it is expected will ultimately recover. The other men were burnt but not seriously.
The body of John Bill, to whose incautious conduct the accident is chiefly attributed, was not found till nearly two hours afterwards, when life was quite extinct. A man name John Kensall was miraculously preserved from sharing the fate of his unfortunate companions, he being near to Warren and Peach at the time of the explosion. He was knocked down and covered by a quantity of earth and rubbish and escaped without the slightest injury excepted by the fright experienced by being place in so perilous a situation. A number of men were at work in another part of the pit, but they escaped without any injury.
An inquest was held before by Mr. Harding Esq. on view of the bodies of John Bill, age, 28 Thomas Beech, age 25, and Peter warren, age 26 and verdicts of “accidental death” returned in each case.
The three unfortunate sufferers were married men, with each one or two children. The bodies were interned in Lane End church yard on Wednesday, amidst a great crowed of spectators.