FUMES FROM THE SHAFT
"It was altogether impossible for the rescuers to proceed down the No1 shaft as, in addition to the stoppage of ventilation and the damage to the cage and ropes, dense sulphur fumes were issuing from the mouth of the shaft. Other means of reaching the entombed men had to be adopted. There is a connection between Maypole colliery and the Wigan Junction Colliery which is about half a mile away, and a rescue party succeeded in bringing three men from the scene of the explosion to the surface. These men, whose names could not be ascertained, had hurried from the explosion and traveled in the direction of the Junction, thus escaping the fate of their fellow workmen.
"A large number of men had been set to work to repair the damage to the fan house in order that the ventilation could be restarted. This, however, entailed several hours work. |
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A rescue party had been waiting to descend the No2 Maypole Pit and after waiting a considerable time the descent was made. From this mine the rescuers had to traverse road leading to the place where the disaster had occurred and they quickly became cognizant of the fact that the explosion had wrought tremendous damage and that there could be little hope that any of the men had survived."Several heavy falls of roof had taken place and this greatly impeded the rescue work. The dead body of a workman shockingly mutilated was removed to the surface shortly after midnight but it was impossible to identify him. Numerous other bodies were found but they were not brought to the surface for some time. Other relief parties, who made attempts at rescue, seemed to hold the opinion that there was very little hope of the entombed men coming out alive.
WEIRD SPECTACLE
"The scene when darkness came was most animated and impressive. Scores of colliers and others moved silently about the colliery premises carrying lighted lamps. Later on, in the stillness of the night, the spectacle was indeed weird. There was quite a reverent silence amongst the large crowd which was eagerly awaiting news of the unfortunate men 50O yards below. There were long and anxious waits for the appearance of the rescue parties and little news could be gleaned. Still the crowd waited and hoped for the best, and the tinkling of the bell, signaling the ascent of the cage, caused hopes to rise in the breasts of the more sanguine.
"An official statement was made to the Press which stated that the cause of the explosion was unknown and added that there was a very strong suspicion that there was a fire in the South district of the colliery."
"In some respects the disaster was not marked, at any rate on Tuesday night, by heartrending scenes often associated with calamities of this character. Still, on every hand there were indications that the keenest sorrow was felt, at what had happened and the holocaust had undoubtedly plunged the district into a gloom from which it, was not likely to separate itself for long days to come. It was recognized that harrowing scenes would be inseparable from the later identification which would have to be taken of the deceased and those engaged in rendering assistance at the colliery appeared to dread this part of what must be regarded as a tragic event."
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