Thursday 30th April 1896, Leeds Evening Express
Latest news
Disaster!
Appalling explosion at Micklefield
Great loss of life
Ghastly scenes below
Dead bodies everywhere
The explorers baffled
For some little time past the West Riding district has enjoyed a happy immunity from colliery accidents of a serious character, but, sad to relate, this satisfactory record has at length been broken. A painful thrill was caused throughout the whole of the mining community in and about Micklefield this morning by a rumour to the effect that a serious explosion had occurred at the Peckfield colliery, and that 100 men were in the pit. Those who had relations engaged at the pit were thrown into a state of the greatest excitement and poignant anxiety considering the condition of their friends. Others who were not so much interested pictured a disaster almost as calamitous in its effects as the memorable explosion in the Coombs Pit at Thornhill some four years ago. Micklefield is only a small place of a few hundred inhabitants. It is situate on the North Eastern railway, about 9 and a half miles from Leeds. Under normal conditions the village is exceedingly quiet, but at a moment’s notice the scene has been vastly changed. Instead of the happy smile which was apt to greet one, careworn faces are to be observed on every hand, and anxious enquiries are made in every quarter. Mothers, wives, and sisters all intermingle, and there is scarcely a face which is not tear-stained. Naturally they wended their way to the spot where their happiness has been so suddenly reversed.
The Peckfield Colliery is situate on the railway side about a quarter of a mile from Micklefield station, and the same distance from the village. It is owned by Messrs. J Cliff and Sons, and finds work for about 200 miners. Some of these are engaged on night work, but the majority are employed during the day. Last night shift came to the surface about 6 o’clock this morning, and at seven o’clock the day men began to descend. The number who went down was much less than is usually the case, owing to the fact that today is a holiday. The exact number is unknown owing to the fact that some of the checks had been destroyed. It is estimated, however, that about 96 entered the workings. Mr. R H. Nevins, under-manager of the No.2 Pit, was among the men. Nothing of an unusual character occurred until about half-past seven, when the report of a terrific explosion was heard. The headgear of the pit was shaken, the roof over the pit-mouth being blown into the air and the slates scattered in all directions. The various offices here were also ruined, and the platform itself rendered very unsafe. The sound of the explosion could be heard over two miles away, and instantly large crowds congregated in the vicinity of the mine. Most heartrending scenes were witnessed: friends were inquiring excitedly after their relatives who worked in the mine, and for a time confusion reigned supreme.
The first persons to take any definite steps were the night deputies, Joe Lillyman, J Hopkinson, and Backhouse, and together they formed an exploring party. To think of going down the main shaft was, of course, madness, for it was evident that the explosion had occurred in the vicinity of the bottom. The ropes themselves and the pulleys were unsafe, and any endeavour to reach the mine by this way must have been fraught with the utmost peril to the willing helpers. It was decided, therefore, to descend to by the “up cast” shaft, a few yards away. The cage having been examined, descended with the night deputies. It was apparent that the force of the explosion had done considerable damage to the bottom of this shaft, for the men were unable to reach the desired level. An examination revealed the fact that the air-pipes had been broken. This discovery struck consternation to the hearts of the rescuers, for unless air could be speedily poured into the workings the deadly afterdamp would kill all those who were imprisoned. They accordingly gave the signal, and were hauled to the surface. Returning, the dislodged iron pipes were removed, and the deputies were by this means enabled to penetrate the workings. They could not, however, proceed for owing to the afterdamp. Many bodies were found, but the rescue party had the satisfaction of finding some men alive. These were without delay conveyed to the surface. In the meantime messages had been sent to the surrounding districts for medical aid, and Superintendent Tebbutt of the West Riding Constabulary, stationed at Leeds, was communicated with. Drs. Abbott (Aberford), Griesback (Garforth), James [Gaines] (Kippax), and Carr (Kippax) proceeded with the greatest speed to the colliery, and attended to the injured as they were brought to the surface.
At the pit mouth
A pitiable spectacle
The scene of the pit mouth is pitiable to behold. Strong men, women, and young children all congregated together, eagerly waiting for news. They are, however, kept at a distance of 100 yards by a force of police under Supt. Tebbutt, so as not to interfere with the work of rescuing the men. Numerous colliers from other pits gathered in groups eagerly discussing the cause of the explosion. As each person is brought from the pit they press forward and anxiously enquire who were the injured person is. Many were, of course, disappointed and turned away to hide their tears. Joy was, however, depicted on some faces when they ascertained that the rescued man was a relative or an intimate friend.
A temporary hospital
The joiner’s shop, which is situate in the colliery yard, was converted into a temporary hospital, and here the injured men were conveyed and attended to. No one was allowed to enter except those conveying the men, and the doctors.
The injured
It was stated at No-one that about 19 men had been rescued. The following is a list of some of the men brought to the surface alive:- G Hick, R. H. Nevins (manager No.2 pit), E Simpson, T Grimbley, W Camply, C Atack, I Evans, J Sissons, J Render, J Wilson, T Nutton, F. Atkinson (engineer), H. Hardwick, W Appleyard, W. Holden, G Turner. The last-named is stated to be terribly injured, while Hick, Simpson, and Nevins have been severely burned. The other men are principally suffering from the effects of after-damp.
The death roll
One of the explorers told our representative at noon that he had been almost round the pit and was unable to find any other miners alive. He feared that the whole of the other men were dead. There were some parts that he was unable to penetrate, and, of course, it was quite probable that some of the men were located there.
Another account
A survivor’s story
Another correspondent writes as follows:-
The commonplace round of life at the little mining village of Micklefield was rudely broken this morning by a fearful occurrence of the Peckfield colliery, owned by Messrs. Cliff and Co. The Peckfield colliery is one which has been singularly free from accident, the last of anything like a serious nature having occurred some two years ago. In consequence, the miners who were there employed had come to regard their “workshop” – as several of them expressed it today – as being one of the safest in Yorkshire, and the perils of the collier’s life was thought to have been there reduced to a minimum.
The underground workers and their wives, after being lulled by their circumstances into a feeling of security, were all the more susceptible to alarm, and when this morning the rumour was spread that an explosion had occurred, Micklefield was immediately in the wildest possible state of excitement. Indeed the rumour, in the usual meaning of the term, was not requisite to inform the local miners of the sad occurrence. At seven o’clock all was going on as usual at the colliery. At twenty minutes past that hour a huge cloud of dense black smoke and dust was thrown up from the shaft of No.1 pit, and everybody in the neighbourhood knew what had occurred. A miner, who was taking a morning walk at the time of the explosion, and was standing on a huge heap of refuse near the pit, states that he was looking at the shaft when he heard a rumble, and the smoke was thrown up twice as high as the colliery chimney. Slates, pieces of broken wood, and other debris were mingled with the black coal dust. As much order was maintained as was possible under the circumstances, and the manager of the pit Mr. C Houfton, was communicated with. The relief party was formed and descended the pit as soon as was possible. The descent of the 180 yards of shaft had to be accomplished very gradually, and the danger was even then of an appalling nature. But about 100 men were below, and the lives of all of them – if, indeed, anywhere alive – were of the greatest possible consequence, and prompted the bravest of deeds on the part of the explorers. Upon reaching the bottom it was found about 10 men were waiting there, and these were drawn up to the top. The effects of the explosion were painfully visible below. Pieces of coal had been blown into positions which made travelling extremely difficult, and above all the awful afterdamp, the dread of the miners life, was to be coped with. The explosion occurred at a time when, as already stated, about 100 men were in the pit. The night shift had been drawn up, and most of the day men, who had to be down before 7 o’clock, had just got to work. Some of them when they are found will probably be seen not to have reached the places they had intended working. One of the men who escaped with his life, and no doubt enabled a number of others to do so, is Charles Ball, and his experience was readily detailed when asked. He stated that with the other day men he was lowered into the mine at twenty minutes past six o’clock, and got to his place all right. He had only been working for a few minutes, however, when he heard a loud rumble. Asked if he could fix the direction of the explosion, he said it appeared to be “all over the mine.” A great waft of after-damp followed, and it was with the greatest difficulty that he succeeded in manoeuvring his lamp so as to keep it alight. The various doors to the air gates were in some cases blown down, and the ventilation was altogether disorganised. “I called to the fellows around me,” he added, “and, knowing the pit well, I led them to the shaft where the fresh air was coming down. We waited here until we were lifted to the top.” As to the cause of the accident, like everybody else so far, Ball has nothing to say. “It would be sinful for me to say anything: that would be only guess. There was a bad explosion, but whether it was gas, or coal dust, or what it was, I don’t know.” In common with the other men who escaped from the pit at the same time, Ball was not come forth scathless. “That fearful afterdamp,” he continually muttered, and its effect upon him were such as to render any attempts to take nourishment almost unavailing.
The work of the rescue party was carried on with all possible expedition, and very soon a number of men, also overcome by the afterdamp as to render their conveyance an absolute necessity, were brought to the surface. They were carefully lifted on stretchers to a Joiners shop in the colliery yard, and there Drs. Griesbach, of Garforth, Abbott, of Aberford, and Carr and Gaines, of Kippax, attended to them. Almost as soon as the accident had occurred a telephonic message was sent to Supt. Tebbutt, of the Leeds West Riding Police, and he went to the pit bank with a staff of men. They were of the greatest use in preventing any show which would delay the work of rescue.
How the explosion happened
Naked lights in use
Considerable speculation is, of course, rife as to the cause of the explosion, but as yet no definite explanation can be given. The exact locality has not been ascertained, but is supposed to have been in the bottom of the shaft. The shaft which has been wrecked leads to what is known as the No.1 Beeston bed, and the “upcast” is from the No.1 Black bed. The pits and was regarded as one of the safest in Yorkshire, and the confidence of the absence of gas was such that the men worked with naked lights. If a quantity of gas did accumulate, therefore, it would easily be ignited, and an explosion have occurred. It is only fair to state, however, that no gas has been found during the various examinations which have been made.
A miner’s opinion
One of the miners employed at the pit, but who was today, fortunately for himself, among those who were on holiday, said he thought a quantity of gas must have congregated in the bottom of the Beeston shaft, and its presence been unknown.
“Do you think it possible the explosion has been caused by coal dust?” asked our representative. “Of course, it may have been,” was the answer.
“What is your view as to the cause?” – “Well, I certainly think it has been caused by a collection of gas in the bottom of the Beeston shaft.”
“Have you ever noticed gas there?” – “No.”
“The pit was supposed to be a very safe one, was it not?” – “Yes, one of the safest in Yorkshire.”
Under-Manager dead
Lying together
Among the first of the bodies discovered was that of Mr. J. Radford, the under manager. He went down with the day shift to conduct their operations at seven o’clock. When the explorers reached the bottom of the “upcast” shaft they made their way with all possible speed to the underground office. They were much pained to find Mr. Radford lying on his face on the ground, and a cursory examination showed that he was quite dead. In the office a deputy named Wallis was also found dead. Both were terribly mutilated, and it was evident that they had not had a chance to make an attempt to escape. Their heads were together.
The workings ruined
The explosion has had a most disastrous effect upon the workings, and large quantities of earth have fallen. The bottom of the Beeston shaft is practically blocked with debris. The explorers themselves have had some narrow escapes, the roof and props being in a dangerous state.
An explorer interviewed
Harrowing scenes
“Bodies lying all about”
A member of an exploring party, in the course of conversation with an “Express” reporter this afternoon, said that he had just returned from the workings, and the sights he had seen there were most pitiful. Lying in all directions were bodies of his previous comrades, many of them terribly mutilated, and some were unrecognisable.
“Do any of them appear to have made attempts to escape,” was asked, but the answer came in the negative.
The appearances, do they point to the explosion being of a sudden, death-dealing character? – Yes, the men do not appear to have had a chance to escape, but have fallen down where they were.
You have worked in the mine? – Yes.
Have you ever noticed a gas? – No.
Then how do you account for the explosion? – I cannot tell.
Some narrow escapes
Now that the fearful results of the explosion are becoming more widely known, commonplace occurrences of the morning which have resulted in the escape of the persons concerned are being recalled. One man named Flowers went down the pit, but upon reaching his place he found that his mate – a Garforth man – had not put in an appearance. He waited some time, and then decided to go home. Barely had he left the cage at the top when the explosion occurred.
Carrying away the wounded
The N.W. Railway Company gave instructions that all express trains should be stopped if necessary in order to convey the injured to the Leeds Infirmary. This provision was of great service.
A rescuer in danger
Nevins, one of the men who went down to assist in the work of rescue, has just been brought to the surface almost overcome by the foul gas. He had to be supported to the temporary hospital.
What a relief man says
Another member of the relief party, Robertshaw, who was just return to the surface, says: “We can get in one direction nearly half a mile, but in some directions we cannot get 100 yards. There’ll be about 90 men in, I think, and I’ve seen of more than a score lay dead. Poor fellows!”
From the Chief Inspector
A wire was received during the morning from Mr. F.N. Wardell, H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines, to the following effect: “Wire me immediately anything is known,” and replies were sent by return.
The wrecked cage
The top of the shaft which the men descended this morning gives the barest suggestion of what the force of the explosion must have been below. The sky can be seen through the rafters, and the slates lie in confusion on the floor just as they had fallen. One of the cages is perched up high above the level, and near to the run of the great pully. The other cage is embedded in the bottom of the mine. Great timber rafters, some at least a foot and a half in thickness, have been snapped, and the whole of the pit mouth is one of perfect and absolute wreck, out of which the little band of workers are attempting to evolve again something like working order.
Agonised relatives
Waiting in hope
There was something overpoweringly impressive in the scene near the pit-mouth this afternoon. There is no community, no sect, where grief is borne with such stoical quietness as among miners and miners’ friends. Superintendent Tebbutt and Stott, an inspector, and about 20 policemen were on duty at the pit. No doubt the number was proper, but half the men would have sufficed. A long line of men, women, and even some children stretched across the entrance to the pit yard. Yet there was no element of bustle in the crowd. Most of the women had pale faces, and had occupied seats on the cinder heap since early morning. Many of the men simply stood and smoked and talked. There was a common sympathy among all. Some had brothers in the pit below, and others were hoping to hear tidings of their respective fathers. It was, indeed, pathetic to hear the blunt appeals to one or another member of the rescue parties as they returned. “Has ta seen our Bill?” “Has ta seen mi feyther?” In all cases, the reply was either a direct negative, or a confession that they had not been able to go far. Then the anxious ones relapsed into silence, only to repeat the question when another “rescuer” was seen. And so the afternoon passed, and fathers, hoped on almost against hope, that the pit would spare at least theirs, and give them back to their homes.
A pathetic death scene
A sad scene awaited the explorers when they reached the little underground office where the under manager fulfilled his duties. That gentleman had evidently been conversing with one of the deputies at the time of the explosion, and his dead body had fallen forward against that of the deputy. The faces of the two men were in contact. Another under deputy was also lying dead and an engine driver named George Simpson.
Good news from below
Hope for those waiting
Up to three o’clock 30 men had been brought to the surface alive. Of the number below little hopes are entertained of their ever being brought out alive, but a party which has just returned report having encountered fresh air in some of the workings. If this proves to be present in any quantity, it may be very different from what is now feared.
The raising of the dead
There is no disguising the fact that when the death-roll is known it will be a long one. None of the dead bodies will be brought up today, however, the whole of the efforts being centred in attempts to save any life which may be saved.
How the men came out
The No.2 bed shaft is the one which has been used to pull up the otherwise imprisoned men. A passage is easy from No.1, and it is not rendered useless because of atmospheric conditions.
Another Leeds patient
By the 3-18 train Hicks, another miner who had been severely burned, was removed to Leeds, and was conveyed to the Infirmary.
Three relatives missing
Some painful cases came to light as the day progresses. Passing through New Micklefield an “Express” reporter came across a young woman named Shepherd who was in great distress. She stated that her grandfather, brother, and a brother-in-law went down the pit this morning and had not yet been got out. She had been to the colliery to make enquiries, but had been told that in all probability the three persons were dead. However, she hoped for the best.
The injured in Leeds
Condition of the wounded
Considerable excitement prevailed at the North Eastern station, Leeds, as the time for the arrival of the 12-27 train from the direction of the disaster approached, it having become known that some of the injured men would be conveyed to Leeds by that train to be treated at the General Infirmary. The two city horse ambulance carriages arrived at the station shortly after a quarter past twelve, and a vast crowd of people surrounded the conveyances. On the platform, however, there was more excitement and animation, and a larger crowd. The train drew up at the platform at half-past twelve, and a police constable at once proceeded to the brake van at the rear with an ambulance stretcher. It was soon ascertained that only one man had been brought. He laid in a basket with a covering of sacking, his head swathed in bandages. The poor fellow was in a terrible state, so much of his face as was exposed to view being perfectly black, the skin charred to a cinder. He was alive, and was conveyed in his basket-bed to the ambulance, and driven to the infirmary. On the way to the carriage he raised his arms in a feeble attempt to rise, and vomited.
An “Express” representative had a brief conversation with a fellow-workman of the unfortunate fellow, who stated that the extent of the lost of life in the terrible disaster could not be estimated as yet, but there was every reason to fear that it would be appalling. At the time of the explosion there were 96 men in the mine. 15 of these had been rescued alive, and three had been discovered and brought to the bank dead. Two of these poor fellows, who thus open up what, alas! will probably prove to be a terrible death-roll, are men who held official positions, viz., William Radford, under manager, and John Wallis, deputy manager. The third victim’s name was not known to the workman who imparted this information. The man whom they had brought to Leeds was Turner by name, and a blacksmith by trade. Another man, William Holden, had also been shockingly burnt, and he would be brought by the next train. In reply to a question as to what part of the mine the explosion had occurred, and at what time, the man said that it was a few minutes after seven o’clock. It was believed to have occurred in that section of the pit known as the West, which, in direction, lay towards Leeds.
What prospect do you think exists of getting the remaining men out alive? asked the reporter, and the reply was pregnant with sad significance.
“Not much,” said the man, and he added that though 13 of those who had been rescued prior to his departure had walked out unharmed, yet he feared there was little chance of many more of the 80 still remaining in the mine being brought to the bank alive. “They may get some more out alive,” he said, “but I don’t think they will get many.” Our representative was unable to glean any information as to the cause of the explosion.
From inquiry at the Infirmary we learn that the man who was first conveyed to Leeds is George Turner (23), residing at Ledsham. As to his condition we were informed that he was very severely burnt about the face and hands, and that it was impossible to say whether he would recover or not. The medical officer informed our representative that from a superficial examination made when the man was admitted, he entertained grave fears that his injuries would prove fatal.
Another injured workman, William Holden, an engine driver at the pit bottom, arrived by train at the North-Eastern Station at 1-17, and was also removed to the Infirmary in the horse ambulance. He was frightfully burnt much in the same way as Turner. His injuries are such that his condition is regarded as extremely precarious.
Saturday May 2nd 1896, The Yorkshire Post
The Micklefield Colliery Disaster
Exploration of the Mine
Recovery and Identification of the Dead
(By our own Reporter)
Yesterday’s incidents at Micklefield were but another chapter in a tale of sorrow. In some respects the second act of the tragedy – to vary the metaphor – was even more heartrending than the first, for the pathos of the story was revealed in all its depth and intensity. The excitement and suspense had disappeared with the assurance that all hope was past, and the agony of the dread was followed by the anguish that comes in the quieter moments of reflection on an all too certain fate. The grief-stricken community wore an aspect with which happily it has not hitherto been familiar. Drawn blinds marked the houses which had been robbed of one or more bread-winners: and there was not a row of cottages that had not the melancholy distinction. Grave-diggers were busily, but quietly, at work in the churchyard at Old Micklefield preparing for another scene in this mournful drama. The spectacle in the immediate vicinity of the pit was a most touching one. While the explorers were making their way through the wrecked roadways below, finding and sending to bank the bodies of the miners, or as many of them as could be discovered, the relatives were engaged in the pitiful task of identifying the dead. Up to a late hour last night thirty bodies had been recovered. It is believed that 104 men went down the pit on Thursday morning, though the authorities have not yet been able to ascertain the exact number. Thirty-three were brought out of the mine alive, including the three men removed to Leeds Infirmary, and assuming that 104 represents the number who descended the shaft to be correct, the number of dead, recovered or still lying in the pit will be 71. The lists of dead and missing which we give below comprise 63 names so that there are still six of the 104 unaccounted for. It may be, however, that the number who went to work has been slightly miscalculated. It is feared that it may be some time before the whole of the bodies can be brought to the surface. Mr. Wardell, Chief Inspector of Mines for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, thinks it may be two or three weeks before some of the corpses are recovered. That time, he says, must elapse before some portions of the roadway can be cleared, and it is very likely that a number of bodies are buried beneath the debris.
Searching for the Dead
The work of exploring the mine was continued all through Thursday night. All hope of there being any men alive in the pit had been abandoned long since; indeed, those who knew the nature of the explosion and the workings of the pit were convinced that every man who had not been rescued up to Thursday afternoon was lying dead below the surface. Mr. Wardell went down the shaft at midnight, and gave the searchers the benefit of his extensive knowledge and long experience. Among those who took part in the exploration were Mr. Mellors and Mr. Wilson, assistant inspector for the district; Mr. Houfton, the manager of the colliery; his son, Mr. J. Houfton, manager of the Bolsover Colliery; Mr. R. Routledge, manager of the Garforth Collieries; Mr. J. L. Routledge, manager of the Waterloo Main Collieries; and Mr. Parkin, of Kippax. First impressions as to the destructive character of the explosion were more than confirmed. Every man who went below – and the parties included men who have seen something of many of the big pit disasters of the North of England – agreed that the wreckage, both above the bank and down in the mine, was unprecedented. Mr. Wardell was emphatic in his declaration that in all his experiences he never knew an explosion where so much damage had been done. Débris was lying in the roadways in all directions, and this was a source of considerable difficulty to the working parties. This difficulty was increased by further falls of earth whilst the explorers were pursuing their way through the workings, and in consequence their work was seriously delayed. The possibility – somewhat remote, but still a possibility – of there being fire in any part of the workings also made it necessary to proceed with the utmost caution, for in these matters no risks must be run.
Four parties of explorers – numbering 30 or 40 men – were down the pit during the night, directing their attention to different parts of the colliery. During the early hours of the morning Mr. Wardell, in consultation with the manager of the colliery, decided that the most practical method would be for the explorers to concentrate their energies upon one district. Accordingly the searchers all turned to the west level and its branches. Their efforts were soon rewarded, for lying in the No. 1 dip on the south side they found seven bodies. These were as soon as possible sent up to the surface, as were also the eight corpses found on the previous day near the bottom of the main shaft. In No. 3 dip – 800 yards from the bottom of the shaft – four bodies – those of the two brothers Winfield and Edward Maggs and Joseph Johnson – were found. There were signs of these poor fellows having made a desperate rush for life towards the main shaft before dropping down helplessly before the overpowering fumes. Three of them had their faces in the direction of the shaft and the fourth had evidently turned round to seek other means of escape. Six others had apparently had an even more terrible experience. Their footmarks in the ground could be distinctly traced, showing how hard they fought against fearful odds. Running along No. 4 dip they had gone down the first “gate”, only to find there was no means of escape there: a similar fate met them in two or three other “gates” in which they sought refuge, and then finding they were being overwhelmed by the afterdamp, they apparently sat down and covered their heads with brattice cloth. The poisonous vapours, however, were too much for them and the unfortunate men fell to the ground, and there they were found – six corpses lying together. They were afterwards identified as William Wilks, Thomas Oakley, Elias Clarke, Amos Whittaker, and Joseph and Walter Jackson, the last two being brothers.
Identifying the Dead Bodies
The identifying of the dead was the saddest part of the day’s sad business. It was heartrending to see widows come to look at their dead husbands, and mothers to take a sorrowful glimpse of their sons as the stalwart figures of the dead miners lay in a row in a shed connected with the disused chemical works. Crowds of onlookers stood at a respectful distance and gazed with curious interest at the slow melancholy processions as they passed towards the temporary mortuary. By mid-day twelve corpses had been placed in the shed, and from that time onwards at brief intervals the list swelled until at about half-past three it reached 23. Within the next hour two more bodies arrived, and there, by a singular coincidence, were father and son, James Benson and his boy Fred, both of whom were very badly injured. Another son still remains below the surface. Up to nine o’clock two more bodies were brought up, and all of them identified. With few exceptions, where injuries were apparent, death had evidently been caused by the after-damp. The following is the list of those whose bodies have so far been recovered:-
Arthur Simpson (24), brakesman, Garforth, single,
George Simpson (21), brakesman, brother of Arthur Simpson, Garforth, single,
John Wallis (48), deputy, Micklefield, married,
William Radford (56), under-manager, Micklefield, married,
Charles Shepherd (68), horse-keeper, Micklefield, widower,
John Sutton (35), deputy, Micklefield, married,
James Shillito (50), deputy, Micklefield, married,
Samuel Godber (16), Micklefield,
Joseph Winfield, Micklefield, widower,
Walter Winfield (brother of Joseph), Micklefield, married,
Edwin Charles Maggs (26), Micklefield, married,
Joseph Johnson (47), Micklefield, married,
Richard Shepherd (30), Micklefield, married,
George Edwin Dunnington (20), pony-driver, Newthorpe, single,
(All the above were last evening identified before the Coroner.)
Alfred Wilson, Aberford, single,
William Barker, Micklefield, married,
William Stead, Aberford, married,
George Hayes, Micklefield, single,
Arthur Howson, Aberford, single,
Joseph Jackson, Garforth, married,
Walter Jackson (brother of Joseph), Garforth, married,
Amos Whittaker, Micklefield, married,
Elias Clarke, Micklefield, single,
Thomas Oakley, Micklefield, single,
William Wilks, Micklefield, married,
James Benson, married,
Fred Benson (his son), single,
Noah Ball, Micklefield, married,
Charles Swift, Micklefield, single.
Scenes on the Pit Bank.
For the crowd that looked on the previous day there was at any rate a semblance of hope on the faces of many who watched and waited. The crowd that hung on the bank yesterday was of a different kind. Despair was written on some features, and sadness on all. As the melancholy procession of the dead went by from the shaft to the temporary mortuary there was a craning of heads and an agonising look in the eyes of more than one. The sobs of some of the women were heart-rending. Even strong men were touched. But on the majority the silence of sorrow and dread had fallen. The onlookers consisted to a large extent of miners who would have been in the pit on the fatal morning if it had not been on a “play-day”. It was not easy to read their thoughts, a few of them gave expression to their feelings. That some of them would have liked to do more than look on was evident from bits of conversation that dropped from time to time. Here and there were those who thought they could have been of service as volunteers on the work of exploration, and the news that came up the shaft at intervals during the day caused an itching on their part to go below. But none knew better than the exploring parties the great difficulties to be encountered on the search, the tremendous falls of roof under which, in many cases, dead were believed to be burned, and the extreme care necessary to set up proper ventilation in the slow progress through the workings.
One stalwart fellow who went down to assist in the recovery of bodies had to be brought up in a sad state. Groping his way along the roads, and struggling against the nauseous atmosphere, he came upon the lifeless form of his own brother. The sight was too much for him; he broke down entirely. In order that there might be as little delay as possible, the explorers, who numbered between thirty and forty, had their mid-day meal sent down the pit to them. Principally the west and south districts of the mine were explored. The falls of earth and stone were much greater in other parts and the débris in several cases allowed barely sufficient space for a man to find his way across. Disheartening news of this kind rapidly got abroad, and everyone grew to anticipate the worst. So long as no intelligence arrived respecting the greater number of the missing men there lingered in the breasts of a few just a spark of hope that perhaps, after all, life might not be extinct in the mine’s recesses, and perseverance with the work of exploration might be rewarded in a manner that most people least expected. It was pitiful to witness the anxiety of some of the watchers. One aged man and his wife had spent the night looking for the return of their two sons upon whom they depended for support. Another parent, after identifying a dead husband, sat on through the evening in sore trouble wondering would she ever see her son again; “a better lad nivver walked,” she declared.
The possibility of men being discovered alive did not seem altogether remote when it was stated that two of the ponies in the stable below had actually survived, while sixteen others around them, and the horse-keeper as well, lay dead. To the mind of the experience inspectors and managers, however, it was certain that no chance remained of finding life in the workings.
As the evening approached steps were taken to remove the carcases of the ponies. There were 25 altogether in the pit, and 23 had perished. Seven of them were in the workings at the time of the explosion and the remainder in the stable. The smell emanating from the dead animals made it essential that they should be brought to the surface without delay, and when 23 of the men’s bodies had been recovered, the work of removing the ponies was begun. All these operations were surveyed with sad yet curious eyes by strangers as well as residents. As on Thursday, numbers of people visited the spot by train, but the crowd was hardly so great as on the eventful day. It was bitterly cold too, standing about the colliery premises, and few opportunities were available for fortifying the inner man. A stroll through the village was suggestive of profound sorrow not unmingled with a tender pathos. Little children could be seen playing about appreciating little or nothing of the gloom that hung over the place. The story of the widowed and fatherless will be one of most pitiful when it comes to be told. One of the dead miners leaves a widow and ten children: in another case eight, and in yet another six little ones suffer the loss of a father. Young wives have lost husbands, mothers have lost sons; and every shade of religious belief in the village is concerned in the terrible visitation.
Speculations as to the cause of the Explosion
From what can be gathered in conversation with several mining engineers who have been down the pit the cause of the disaster appears to be as great a mystery as ever. That the pit has always been considered a particularly safe one is shown by the fact that shot firing has been regularly practised, and in the pockets of one of the men taken out dead was found powder and fuse. One theory put forward is that there was a sudden accumulation of gas in the Beeston Bed, while another suggests the possibility of gas having risen from the lower seam. In conversation with one of our representatives yesterday, an expert who knows the mine expressed very emphatically the opinion that coal dust was the cause of the explosion. Questioned as to the use of naked lights, he observed that in some mines naked lights were a safeguard, as they ensured constant examination, and nobody, he thought, dare work a mine with naked lights unless it was absolutely free from gas. An explosion of coal dust could only happen under a very peculiar combination of circumstances, which did not occur in a given district once in a hundred years.
Messages of Sympathy
On coming up the pit after making his personal preliminary inspection early yesterday morning, Mr. F. N. Wardell, the Chief Inspector if Mines, wired to the Home Offices further particulars of the disaster. Mr. Wardell, it may be mentioned, combines with his duty of Chief Inspector of Mines in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire the offices of Advising Inspector to the Secretary of State. About one o’clock he received from Sir Matthew White Ridley the following telegram:- “Secretary of State much grieved to hear the loss of life is so serious. Please convey expression of his deepest sympathy to the relatives of those whose lives have been lost.”
An announcement to the effect that the Home Secretary had telegraphed his sympathy was posted up outside the weigh-office, and was read with great interest by every one drawn to the spot. Side by side with it was displayed a copy of a letter from Mr. W. D. Cliff, the principal owner of the colliery. This communication was in the following terms:-
Meanwood, Leeds, May 1st 1896
Dear Mr Houfton, – The terrible news of the explosion came to us during our meeting yesterday, and I hastened home intending to come to you last night, but I persuaded not, and to-day I do not feel equal to it. I know you will do your best, and that you have many willing helpers, but still I should like to be with you. I know I can do no good: still, the spirit is willing to come, but the flesh is weak. It has knocked me down. It is early yet, for even the full results are not known to me. Still, tell our poor people that I am sorrowing for them in their over-whelming trouble. With us I thought such a calamity impossible. I thought our system was so good and so safe, yet here it is, terrible and scarcely realisable so far. I know everything possible will be done – of that I feel sure, but the poor suffering relatives will, and must, I know, suffer. Let them know that I have not forgotten them, and that my heart is with them, not mine alone, I know, but all of us. It is a sad, sad day, but we must submit. You will be worn out and tired, I know, but I trust able to keep up. I trust also that all may go well from now, and that no other accident may come to us from the disarrangement of the workings. I felt you might like to know I was with you. – Yours truly
(Signed) W. D. Cliff.
Opening of the Inquest
At half-past four o’clock the inquest was opened by Major Taylor (coroner for the West Riding), in the Institute, Micklefield. Mr R. Borrough Hopkins attended on behalf of the proprietors of the colliery (Messrs. Cliff & Sons), and he was accompanied by Mr. Walter Cliff; Mr. W. Parrott, agent, and Mr. J. Wadsworth, vice-president of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association; Mr. J. L. Routledge, of Waterloo Main Colliery; Mr. J. Parkin, of Fox Holes, Methley; Superintendent Stott and Inspector Tidswell were also present. Most of the jurymen were drawn from Old Micklefield, and their foreman was Mr. Bryan Wormald. Only evidence of identification was taken.
Mr. Hopkins first of all intimated that he appeared, with Mr. Walter Cliff, on behalf of the owners of the colliery, who desired to express their deep and heartfelt sympathy with all who had been bereaved by this terrible calamity, and to ensure the Coroner that every effort would be made on their part to afford the fullest possible information to enable him to ascertain the cause of the accident. Mr. Hopkins further stated that Mr. W. D. Cliff, the senior partner in the firm, was prevented from being present on account of serious illness, the result of the shock sustained.
The Coroner then proceeded to examine the witnesses, the process being a very slow one, and the proceedings therefore lasting a considerable time.
Joseph Simpson, miner, of Oxlaby House, Garforth identified his brother-in-law, Arthur Simpson, who he said was 24 years of age, and worked as brakesman in the Peckfield Colliery. Witness added that he lived with deceased, whose sister he had married. He last saw Arthur alive on Thursday morning at six o’clock. When he identified the body there were no injuries on it so far as he could see. Witness looked at deceased’s watch, but did not notice that any damage had been done to it.
William Wallis, miner, of Tibshelf, Derbyshire, spoke to the identification of his brother, John Wallis, aged 48 years, whose body he saw at six o’clock that morning. Witness easily recognised his brother’s features, and observed no signs of injury beyond a little blood about his mouth. The deceased was a deputy in the Beeston Bed, and was a married man.
Joseph Radford, an “under-manager,” also of Tibshelf, gave evidence as to his brother, William Radford, who was 56 years of age, and an “under-manager” in the Beeston Bed. Deceased was only slightly injured.
Timothy Shepherd, journeyman blacksmith, of 29 Spring Grove View, Hunslet, identified Charles Shepherd, horse-keeper in the ill-fated mine. Witness said the deceased was 68 years of age, and a widower. The hair on his face and head had been much singed.
Isaiah Sutton, miner, of Bolsover, Derbyshire, deposed that he had seen the body of his brother, John Sutton, who was 35 years of age, and a deputy in the pit.
Evidence of identification of George Simpson was given by Esther Simpson, his sister, a dressmaker, who lives at Garforth. Deceased was 21 years of age and worked as a brakesman. When she saw the body she noticed a deep cut in his chin.
James Shillito (50) was identified by his wife, Selina Shillito, of No. 3 Branch row, Micklefield. He was a deputy.
Samuel Godber (16) was identified by his father, John Godber, miner, of 44 The Crescent, Micklefield. The lad worked in the Beeston Bed, and appeared to have been severely burned. The body of Joseph Winfield had been identified by Joseph Day, miner, of 17 Station Row, Micklefield. Witness could not think of deceased’s age, but he had known him seventeen of eighteen years. They were brothers-in-law. Witness went with Winfield to the bottom of the pit on Thursday morning, and they parted there.
Walter Winfield was identified by the same witness.
The identity of both Edwin Charles Maggs (26) and Joseph Johnson (47) was spoken to by Ada Maggs, of 23 Brick Row, Micklefield, wife of the former and step-daughter of the latter.
Richard Shepherd’s body was identified by Timothy Shepherd, a former witness. Deceased was 30 years of age. His arms and shoulders seemed to have been much burned.
James Dunnington, quarryman, of Newthorpe, South Milford, gave evidence as to his son, George Edwin Dunnington, 20 years of age, a pony-driver in the mine.
It was now seven o’clock, and the inquiry was therefore adjourned until 10:45 this morning at the same place.
Scene At Night
Throughout the night the work of rescue was continued, but the search was very much interrupted by the “falls” met with in every part of the mine that was explored. Any dead body that was found had to be borne on a band ambulance over the debris on the roadway. Midway between the bottom of the shaft and the working face of the coal a very heavy fall of roof was come across. The ventilation, however, was fairly good, and consequently the brave bands of explorers experienced less difficulty with the insidious after-damp. Up to nine o’clock only two more bodies had been brought to the surface, and it was said that other victims discovered would not be removed from the mine till this morning. The two bodies mentioned were easily recognised by the explorers as those of Noah Ball, married, of Micklefield, and Charles Swift, single, also of Micklefield. The men were miners and mates, and they were found about 500 yards from the bottom of the pit. Ball was lying on his side, and Swift was on his knees, having, it is presumed, when hurrying in the darkness away from the actual workings of the mine, stumbled over a displaced piece of timber. Both men, in the words of an exploring party, wore the peaceful look of sleep. Neither of them had a single hair scorched, and death was the result of the poisonous gas following the explosion. Many men are still missing, and it is now believed that they are buried under the fallen dirt and coal. If this conjecture should prove true, their recovery will possibly be the work of some days. One of the most pathetic incidents in connection with the disaster is the constant vigil of an old couple, Ambrose Bellerby and his wife, of Peckfield. Their two sons, upon whom they were dependent for support, were in the mine at the time of the explosion, and are still numbered among the sad roll of the entombed. These aged parents – the father is over 70, and in his younger days worked in the Peckfield pit – have never ceased watching since they went to the scene of the disaster on Wednesday afternoon, and they present a most touching spectacle. Last night the aged mother, with a voice broken with emotion, questioned the bands of rescuers as the ascended the shaft, but they had not the heart to make known their fears to her. They spoke to her gently, and she sobbingly replied, “If I could only find one of them I should be content to go home.” Then her husband came up and led her to the carpenter’s shop, where they again resumed together their vigil.
The injured men at the Infirmary
The three men who were rescued from the pit, but whose injuries were such as to necessitate their removal to the Infirmary, were yesterday reported to be progressing favourably with the exception of Hicks, whose condition last night was looked upon as somewhat serious.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Saturday, 2nd May 1896
The colliery disaster near Leeds, sixty-eight killed. Recovering the bodies. Distressing scenes.
The latest estimate of the number of men and boys killed by the terrible explosion at Peckfield Colliery, Micklefield, near Leeds, is 68. This great calamity has plunged into the deepest grief scores of families in the villages of Micklefield, Garforth, Aberford, and Ledsham, a fact which was very obvious yesterday, from the number of houses that had their blinds drawn down, and from the distressed crowds that surrounded the pit banks. Although there was no hope of rescuing any more of the entombed men alive, it was deemed advisable that the exploring parties should resume their operations soon after midnight. Mr. F. N. Wardell, Chief Inspector of Mines for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, accompanied by his two assistants, Messrs. Mellors and Wilson, arrived at the colliery about eleven o’clock, and these gentlemen descended the pit along with the explorers. Mr. Wardell remained below until six o’clock in the morning, when he and his assistants came to the surface, and a consultation took place between them and the manager, Mr. Houfton. The inspectors had discovered that there was still a considerable quantity of after-damp in the workings, and it was considered dangerous that the explorers should proceed in more than one direction at a time. Accordingly, it was arranged that this plan should be carried out from that time. Mr. Wardell and his assistants found that there were many falls, and the chief inspector is of opinion that some weeks must elapse before the obstructions can be removed, and the pit cleared sufficiently for rescue work. The explorers were obliged to resort to the aid of bratticing for the purpose of securing ventilation as they proceeded. Their labours were very arduous, and in consequence of the obstructions, necessarily slow. Mr. Wardell stated that he did not know of a single instance in which so much damage had been done to a pit by an explosion.
The men on the night shift, who had descended the shaft less than an hour before the explosion, are at a loss to understand how it occurred. They all agree in stating that when they came out after working with naked lights there was not the slightest indication of the presence of gas in the mine. Between three and eleven o’clock in the morning 12 bodies had been brought to the surface. Of these eight were found near the bottom of the shaft, and the other four at a short distance away. From eleven o’clock until evening the process of recovery was steadily maintained, and by three o’clock 24 bodies had been brought to the surface, and carried on stretchers to a brick built store room, about 150 yards away. Most of the bodies were terribly disfigured by burning, but in a few instances it was plainly to be seen that the victims had died from asphyxia through the after-damp. About one o’clock the explorers came upon 15 bodies, which were all huddled together in a heap. It seemed as if the poor fellows had been trying to escape, but had been overcome by the foul gas.
A very touching incident occurred in the afternoon. Among the explorers was a miner named Jackson, who had worked in the pit for some time, along with his two brothers. When the exploring party came to the dead bodies of the two brothers, Jackson swooned, and had to be sent at once to the surface, where he was found to be suffering from the effects of after-damp. The identification of the bodies was attended by many painful scenes. Most of them were recognised by weeping wives or mothers, whose screams on the bodies being uncovered were heartrending to hear. The most touching sight of all was that of the widowed woman named Barker. On seeing her dead husband, she fell to the ground, and was seized with a fit of epilepsy. Dr. Radcliffe, of South Milford, was close at hand, and succeeded in bringing her round in a short time. There is a decrepit old man, who has been waiting in vain at the pithead since the explosion, and carefully scanning each body as it comes up to find one of his two dead sons. The Rev. A.L. Barnes-Lawrence, Vicar of Aberford, and three Wesleyan ministers were present at all day, and did their best to console the bereaved persons. The agents of the Prudential, Pearl, and London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Assurance companies attended to meet claims on policies immediately. It was found that in some instances the dead miners were insured for rather considerable sums, in a few cases for as much as £100 or £50. The police arrangements were admirably carried out by Superintendents Stott and Tebbutt, who had upwards of 30 men under them.
The inquest was formally opened at the Mechanics’ Institute, Micklefield, at half-past four o’clock in the afternoon, but only formal evidence of identification was taken.
30th April 1896. The Peckfield Colliery Disaster at Micklefield 