Leycett Colliery - Explosion 1871

The Burial Grounds, Sunday

Sunday was indeed a “black Sunday” in the locality of Leycett, for, dead bodies had been distributed over a wide radius, the majority lay in the villages in the immediate vicinity of the catastrophe, and it was arranged that nearly all should be interned on Sunday. Talke o’th Hill so often the scene of large burials of colliers, who had perished by colliery explosions, was once more a place of bereavement, sorrow and weeping.

The internment of Mr. Greener, the Manager of Fair Lady pit and his son, increased the mournful interest.

At Audley about 12 had to be buried, and the same number at Keele whilst others found their last resting place in the burial grounds at Chesterton and Silverdale and a few more distant places. But it was Madeley where the interest seemed to concentrate for there the majority of the dead were to be interned. Large numbers of people went by the morning trains along the Market Drayton line, and so many of them being in morning attire indicated how wide spread was the family and relationship influence attending the fatal results of the explosion.

The weather was bitterly cold, but fine and so far was favourable for the sad and business of the day. Nearly all the graves were dug in the slope of Madeley burial ground, at the entrance from the village. Relief boxes were placed about and one was tied by a piece of rope to the churchyard wicker gate.

The yarning graves just in view, furnished a silent but strong appeal, which few could resist and the contributions at this point were considerable. Graves were dug for 33 bodies.

There has already been a large inflow of contributions to the relief fund. In one case 6 children have been left almost to starvation by the sudden death of their father. In Silverdale another family of 4 children, the eldest only 11 years of age are entirely alone in the world, their mother, having died 12 months ago and their father was killed by the explosion.

These are illustrations of the state of utter helplessness in which the catastrophe has over 200 persons. Their wants are beyond the local resources. People should not hesitate to give because they can give but little.

An large influential meeting was held in the Town Hall Newcastle the Mayor presiding and many dignitaries from North Staffs also Government Mine’s Inspectors and representatives from the Crewe Coal and Iron Company. The Mayor said that they all sympathised with the object that had brought them all together. He had received a number of letters from gentlemen who could not be present but who expressed deep sympathy, they either enclosed cheques or promised to contribute when a treasurer was appointed.

On Friday 23 rd January a telegram was received from the Queen stating that her Majesty desired that there should be telegraphed back at once particulars of the explosion for the information of the Queen. Her Majesty expressed her deep sympathy with the sufferers.

It is very likely, we understand, that at the adjourned inquest the evidence as to the probable cause of the explosion will be explicit. The generally accepted theory is, that it was the result of a blown out shot. The force must have been terrific and the deceased must have been sent to eternity in a moment. It is not likely that a single man died from afterdamp alone, but all at one felt sweep were killed by the force of the explosion, being dashed in most cases against the rugged sides of the mine, or down to the floor. The fearful way in which all the bodies were mutilated substantiates this theory.

On Wednesday, Feb 21 st at the Offley Arms Madeley, the inquiry was resumed into the circumstances of the deaths of the 62 colliers by an explosion of gas in the Fair Lady pit at the colliery of the Crewe Coal and Iron Company on the 21 st January. All the usual dignitaries were present including witnesses.

The coroner opening the proceeding to the jury said that although it was improbable that the inquiry would conclude that day, he proposed to sit late and take as much evidence as possible. The surveyor produced plans of the colliery. Then Henry Beech, collier, gave evidence to the effect that he was in the pit on the day of the explosion and came out at two o clock in the morning, having being employed in the South Side of the “Bang up” level. He came out because there was a missed shot. But for that, he should not have come out till about six o clock. The working places were all right when he came out, and had been during the night. The rule was to come out of the pit when a shot missed.

The fireman was Isaac Johnson; and he went through the workings several times during the night, and fired a shot after examining the place. There was no ground for complaint as to the ventilation, the air supply being good while he worked there. Replying to a question by Mr. Wheelhouse, Q.C. M.P. Henry Beech, said he had left his mates a day or two before the explosion and worked alone in consequence of some difference to the work that arose, and not because of any belief that the workings were unsafe. In reply to Mr. Wynne, Mine’s Inspector, he said that he left the powder canister with George Smith, when he left his work on the morning of the explosion. There were two cartridges in it at the time; but now there was only one. When there was a missed shot, Tomkinson would have to drill the hole, and he would have the right to use a cartridge from the canister.

In reply to Mr. Wheelhouse, Fletcher said that in the place where he worked 4 or 5 shots a week were fired, and in reply to Mr. Wynne, the Mines Inspector, he said; The fireman blew the light through the gauze of his lamp to light the touch paper with which to fire shots in the mine.

Henry Thornton, miner, gave evidence as to being down the pit the night before the explosion, the workings were free from gas and there was plenty of ventilation. In answer to Mr. Wynne, Inspector, he said that since the explosion, he had declined to work at the Fair Lady pit, and in reply to a juror, he said, he always found the place safe for firing of shots. In reply to another juror the witness said, he new another man who was too frightened to work in the Fair Lady pit, but he was not afraid of gas, though it was gas he talking about when he said he should not go there again.