The Coroner asked, what was the state of the stoppings. Daniels replied the stopping at No 4 was blown clean out, but could not say exactly what happened to the other two. Afterdamp was issuing from them and I should say the tops must have been blown off. The Coroner said if the stopping of No 4 had been blown out there must have been an explosion. The witness agreed. It was then asked, how do you suggest the explosion took place? The reply was, the point of ignition must have been reached. There was just sufficient air in the enclosed area to allow an explosion.
On being cross-examined by Mr Johnson, HMI of Mines, Daniels, the manager, said he was informed about 7 o'clock on Friday night that No 7 stopping was leaking. He and Swingewood went there and found a slight leakage, but it soon ceased. One of the men building the stopping said there had been three vibrations but Daniels said they would probably be roof falls in the goaf and not explosions. The Coroner said, they might have been explosions, the manager said they might have been, but we should have had some smell to indicate it.
The cross examination continued regarding the issue of firedamp. Mr. Moody, representing the relatives of the victims, asked, "was the gas issuing on Friday night of an explosive mixture" Daniels replied yes. "And the moment this gob reaches a point, you are certain to have an explosion" Daniels replied yes and added, that although Swingewood said there was a peculiar smell in the pit, I could not discern any. Mr. Moody said, in view of what happened afterwards do you think Swingewood was correct. Daniels replied, he may have been correct, but I could not smell anything. Daniels said he perceived the gob stink about 7 o'clock on Friday morning, but it was only very faint. Daniels was asked, did he stop all the coal getting work in the pit, he replied yes, "then you think there was considerable danger?" Daniels replied, there always is in a situation like this. I stopped the Friday night shift from going on as a precaution.
Medical Evidence
The doctor reported there were no external injuries and in his opinion the cause of deaths was carbon monoxide poisoning.
On Monday December 18th a search party of workmen in the Eight Feet seam, some 6oo yards from the shaft, found 3 ponies alive, which were in the pit when the explosion took place, were promptly drawn to the surface. |
On Sunday 15 dead ponies were recovered.
|
The adjourned inquiry resumed on January 10th and after many more questions on all the aspects of the accident, the jury retured a verdict of "accidental death" adding that the practice adopted at the colliery was the usual one for North Staffordshire, that brick stoppings should have been put in, and that the collieries where gob fires had occurred, rescue brigades should be there available at the colliery in case of emergency.
A great deal was said as to what was done, or what might have been done in this case prior to the disaster its self, and a considerable amount of evidence was given as to the methods of working coal mines in North Staffordshire and the comparative methods adopted elsewhere. The North Staffordshire coal field is specifically difficult to work. But it was agreed, the full inquiry that has been held, has been of great importance to all concerned.
|
