P5- Deep-Dark-Wild

Wonderful Escape from Death

Copied from the Nottingham Review 20 - Dec - 1844

In our paper of the 6th instant; we gave an account of an accident at Skegby pit, wherein a man was said to be drowned by being closed in, by an inrush of water.

It was the general believe at the time that the man was dead, but we are happy to learn subsequently that no human life was sacrificed. The circumstances occurred about noon, and were occasioned by a sudden irruption of water, while William Hardy was employed in “heading.” According to information given him by the person who surveyed and gave orders, he thought he had fully thirteen yards to advance before he need heed any danger from an adjacent pit that had been closed many years and was filled with water. From his own account, a rupture of twelve inches by four suddenly opened, when a stream of water poured in; “that turned and toppled him like a feather” in a strong current. He also relates that on the side of the pit bursting the noise was equal to that of a cannon. Although several times tumbled and plunged overhead in water he managed to gain a high standing where an ass had previously been placed. He leaned on the animal with his belly which afforded warmth that sustained life. Whilst in this precarious position the sound was like the bellowing and roaring of wild animals. When he had placed himself in the best position he could he stood as high in the middle of water. As soon as the flow had passed, the water having found it’s level, he worked his way with great difficulty to a place where he appreciated he would gain a breath of fresh air, but he then found it necessary to return to his former position, in doing so he lost a leather guard across his shins which he wore as protection at work. At midnight when he had been in this situation for about twelve hours, he began to keep time by moving or swinging himself from side to side and counting sixty and remembering the number of minutes when the made an hour. At the time he began to count two men went down the mouth of the pit as far as the water permitted and then retreated without hope of recovering their fellow workmate. When the unfortunate man supposed it to be near five o clock the usual time for refreshing labour the water suddenly subsided; he worked his way to the bottom of the shaft where it had been fifteen feet deep and hearing someone above shouted and immediately received a reply, a horse and tackling was produced and he was drawn up. A house being near bye he was taken in, where he partook of some refreshment; when he had finished he continued his journey home in his wet clothing a distance of over half a mile without assistance after enduring eighteen hours of solitary confinement, in the most perilous and distressing conditions. On arriving at his own home, he found his wife surrounded by condoling neighbours; they were all alarmed for a time fearing him to be a ghostly visitor, having come to the conclusion that his coming to them alive was impossible. It is said they could not be reconciled that he was really himself, until he began to smoke his pipe. Our correspondent states he received the above account from the sufferer, who is well respected as a workman and a neighbour; his age is 59 and he is tall and stout. We have learned a few more particulars. When the water burst into the pit there were four men and four boys at work near the shaft, at which up they hastened, the tallest giving the shorter first chance of tackling, the water rose above his chin before he could ascend. In the space of two more minutes all must have perished in case of delay in that time the water rose about ten feet. Had the affair happened ten minutes later, the men above would have gone for their dinner, leaving no one to assist their comrades to escape.

For Mr Hardy to survive such a long period there must have been a supply of fresh air from the old workings for him to survive his ordeal.

Singular Escape

Daily News London Saturday 18-Dec-1858

On Tuesday night, a person named Robert Wilcockson, in the employ of Messrs Barber and Walker and Company, was attending to his duties at the Underwood Colliery, in placing the trams on the top of the shaft, he inadvertently put the tram on the wrong side, and was precipitated in consequence down the pit, a depth of two hundred yards. Providentially, catching hold of the rope at the commencement of the descent, he slid to the bottom without any harm, and returned to his employment on the surface as coolly as can well be received.

Individual Victims That Were Related Or Had Large Families

Thomas Price / John Price, possible brothers killed 09-12-1816.
Charles Bradow / Benjamin Bradow, father and son killed 22-03-1825.
William Shimmel / James Shimmel, brothers killed 21-05-1837 and 07-03-1839 respectively.
John Gelsthorpe / Samuel Gelsthorpe, father and son killed 23-06-1837.
Jonathan Severn / Benjamin Severn, brothers killed 29-08-1846 and 02-09-1847 respectively.
John Leavers / Joseph Leavers possible brothers killed 06-07-1835 and 16-06-1840 respectively.
Francis Varley killed 23-11-1838, brother in law to Henry Maltby killed on 16-11-1838.
Richard Bexon killed 22-01-1831, his brother worked at the bottom of shaft.Thomas Clifford killed 22-02-1833, working with a brother.
William Kirkham killed 01-09-1837 working with a brother, who had narrow escape.
John Byron killed 11-07-1851 working with brother, their father being the Banksman.
William Burrows killed 04-05-1853, his grandson was operating the engine.
Zachariah Farnsworth killed 09-11-1855, whilst working with his brother.
William Golden left a widow and 10 children.
The youngest death recorded was William Deakin aged 6½, killed 30-07-1835. His father was at the scene when it happened.
Joseph Smalley killed 26-07-1847, leaving a widow and 10 children.
William Lamb killed 04-08-1847, leaving a widow and 5 children.
Charles Bradow killed 22-03-1825, leaving a pregnant widow and 7 children.
John Hill killed 25-11-1826, leaving a widow and 5 children.
Christopher White killed 25-06-1831, leaving a widow and 6 children.
Benjamin Benistone killed 04-06-1833, leaving a widow and 8 children.
Joseph Straw killed 07-12-1838, leaving a widow and 9 children.

Shaft Accidents Due To Broken Ropes Or Chains

Chains broke and fell down the shaft on 31-05-1810 at a pit in the Wollaton area.

Unnamed, Chains broke fell down the shaft 31-05-1810 Wollaton area
Unnamed, Chains broke fell down the shaft 31-05-1810 Wollaton area
Unnamed, Chains broke fell down the shaft 31-05-1810 Wollaton area
Unnamed boy, Rope broke he fell down the shaft 26-4-1815 Wollaton area
Unnamed boy, Rope broke he fell down the shaft 26-4-1815 Wollaton area died 01-05-1815
John Tindall, 35, Rope broke he fell down the shaft pit in Eastwood area 08-05-1816
Thomas Price, 12, Rope broke he fell down the shaft pit in Eastwood area 08-05-1816
John Price, 10, Rope broke he fell down the shaft pit in Eastwood area 08-05-1816
Edward Buxton, 42, Rope broke Skegby pit fell down shaft 26-06-1837 inquest Anchor Skegby 27-06-1837
John Gelsthorpe, 31, Rope broke Skegby pit fell down shaft 26-06-1837 inquest Anchor Skegby 27-06-1837
Samuel Gelsthorpe, 8, Rope broke Skegby pit fell down shaft 26-06-1837 inquest Anchor Skegby 27-06-1837
William Bonser, 60, Rope broke fell down shaft Radford pit 25-07-1852 died 16-11-1852 inquest Rose Tavern
Basford 17-11-1852

Shaft Accidents Such As Falling Down The Shaft When Entering/Leaving Mine

William Leivers aged 10 fell down the shaft at Beggarlee pit on 06-04-1808.
Thomas Ashmore aged 8 fell down the shaft at Skegby pit.
? Green fell down the shaft at Awsworth pit, 00-10-1815.
An unnamed boy riding in a bucket in the shaft at a pit in the Greasley area on 27-10-1818 was pulled out by a chain and he fell down the shaft.
Joseph Cook fell down the shaft at Portland pit circ 20-06-1826, the inquest being held at Kirkby in Ashfield on 22-06-1825.
Joseph Parker aged 18 fell down the shaft at an unknown pit on 26-07-1826, the inquest possibly held at Brinsley?
William Raynor aged 28 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 18-08-1839, the inquest held at Babbington village on 29-09-1830.
Henry Wilcockson fell down the shaft at an unknown pit circ 20-11-1830, the inquest being held at the Robin Hood, Greasley on 21-11-1830.
Robert Hardy aged 14 fell down the shaft at Skegby pit on 08-01-1831, the inquest held at the Cross Keys (later known as the Carnarvon Arms), Teversal.
Richard Bexon aged 11 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 18-01-1831. Inquest was held at Babbington village on 19-01-1831.
Christopher Chambers fell down the shaft at Brinsley pit on 28-08-1831. Inquest was at the Jolly Colliers, Greasley on 29-08-1831.
Edward Beard aged 10 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 21-08-1832. Inquest held at Babbington village on 22-08-1832.
Joseph Green aged 15 Fell down the shaft Skegby pit 05-06-1834. inquest being held at the White Swan Selston 06-06-1834.
Benjamin Rice fell down the shaft at Eastwood pit on 24-07-1835 and the inquest was at the Moon and Stars, Eastwood on 28-07-1835.
William Deakin aged 6 fell down the shaft at Trowell Moor pit on 30-07-1835 and died 31-07-1835 from his injuries. Inquest held at Sherwin Arms, Bramcote on 01-08-1835.
John Ellis aged 9 fell down the shaft at Selston pit on 18-06-1836. Inquest was at the Bull and Butcher, Selston, on 20-06-1836.
John Chapman aged 13 fell down the shaft at Skegby pit on 20-07-1836. Inquest held at the Anchor, Skegby on 23-07-1836.
William Kirkland aged 11 fell down the shaft at Selston pit on 27-08-1837. Inquest held at the Coopers Arms, Selston on 28-08-1837.
Henry Maltby aged 21 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 03-11-1838. Inquest was held at the Brick and Tile, Underwood on 08-11-1838.
George Severn aged 9 fell down the shaft at Eastwood pit on 17-11-1838. Inquest held at the Moon and Stars, Eastwood on 18-11-1838.
Joseph Straw fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 05-12-1838. Inquest was at the Horse and Groom, Kimberley on 06-12-1838.
Thomas Knighton aged 11 fell down the shaft at Brinsley pit on 21-11-1839. Inquest was at the Moon and Stars, Eastwood on 23-11-1839.
William Winfield aged 32 fell down the shaft at Radford pit on 30-11-1839. Inquest at Radford on 30-11-1839.
Thomas Edwards aged 18 fell down the shaft at an unknown pit on 03-08-1840. Inquest held at the Broad Oak, Strelley on 04-08-1840.
Samuel Dakin aged 12 fell down the shaft at Cossall pit on 21-11-1840. Inquest was at the Royal Oak, Cossall on 23-11-1840.
John Clarke aged 16 fell down the shaft at Awsworth pit on 04-02-1841. Inquest was at the Ram Inn, Newthorpe on 05-02-1841.
Jesse Stapleton aged 12 fell down the shaft at Watnall pit on 08-06-1841. Inquest held at the Royal Oak, Watnall on 09-06-1841.
William Moult aged 40 fell down the shaft at Wollaton pit on 20-12-1841. Inquest was at Trowell on 31-12-1841
Edmund Toone aged 19 fell down the Shaft at Nuthall pit on 25-01-1842. Inquest was at the Hearty Good Fellow, Nuthall on 28-01-1842.
William Chambers fell down the shaft at Awsworth pit on 29-05-1842. Inquest held at the Gate Inn, Kimberley on 01-06-1842.
John Bird aged 37 fell down the shaft at Watnall pit on 06-09-1843. Inquest at the Royal Oak, Watnall on 06-09-1843.
George Chambers aged 14 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 22-02-1844. Inquest held at Babbington Village on 28-02-1844.
John Phillips aged 65 fell down the shaft at Eastwood Pit on 22-06-1844. Inquest at Eastwood on 27-06-1844.
John Fearn fell down a shaft at Eastwood on 03-12-1845, died from his injuries on 06-12-1845. Inquest was at Ilkeston on 08-12-1845.
Francis Kirk aged 23 fell down the shaft at an Eastwood pit on 06-06-1846. Inquest at Newthorpe on 09-06-1846.
George Tissington aged 32 fell down the shaft at Turkey Field pit on 25-06-1846. Inquest at Babbington Village on 26-06-1846
William Carter aged 28 fell down the shaft at an unknown pit on 28-08-1846. Inquest at the Jolly Colliers, Bagthorpe on 30-08-1846.
Richard Wilson fell down an old shaft he was filling in at old Beggarlee pit on 17-09-1847. Inquest was at the Horse and Groom, Brinsley on 29-09-1847.
Thomas Falkner aged 27 fell down the shaft at Portland pit on 06-11-1847. Inquest held at the Duke of Wellington, Kirkby in Ashfield on 09-11-1847.
John Cheetham aged 14 fell down the shaft at Skegby pit on 02-04-1848. Inquest held at Skegby on 04-04-1848.
William Lamb aged 45 fell down the shaft at Portland pit on 26-07-1848. Inquest held at the Duke of Wellington, Kirkby in Ashfield on 27-07-1848.
John Byron aged 12 fell down the shaft on 01-07-1851. Inquest Duke of Wellington Kirkby in Ashfield 03-07-1851
Gervase Granger aged 28 fell down the shaft at Plumptre pit on 12-02-1853. Inquest was at the Navigation Inn, Eastwood on 22-02-1853.
William Burrows aged 60 fell down the shaft at Watnall pit on 29-04-1853. Inquest was at the Royal Oak, Watnall on 06-05-1853.
Edward Holmes aged 42 fell down the shaft at High Park pit on 05-11-1853. Inquest at the Dixie Arms, Bagthorpe on 06-11-1853.
William Vann aged 30 fell down the shaft at Babbington pit on 29-11-1854. Inquest at the Jolly Colliers, Nuthall on 30-11-1854.
John Priest aged 42 fell down the shaft at High Park pit on 04-12-1854. Inquest at the Dixie Arms, Greasley on 06-12-1854.
Joseph Bullock aged 55 fell down the shaft at Hill Top pit on 09-08-1855. Inquest at the Three Tuns, Newthorpe on 17-08-1855.
William Robinson fell down the shaft at Langton pit on 30-11-1855.

Hit By Objects Falling Down The Shaft

John Smith killed 19-11-1800. A horse fell down the shaft onto him as he rode the chains Wollaton area
Joseph Banks killed 19-11-1800. A horse fell down the shaft onto him as he rode the chains Wollaton area
Joseph Leavers 29 Coal fell down the shaft Beggarlee pit 03-10-1833 died 04-10-1833 inquest Ram Inn Beggarlee 06-10-1833
John Davis 42 Bricks fell down shaft Brinsley pit 16-11-1839 inquest Robin Hood Brinsley 18-11-1839
Isaac Naylor 13 wood fell down the shaft Newthorpe pit 24-03-1840 inquest Gate Inn Kimberley 26-03-1840
John Leavers 30 Hit by object falling down shaft Beggarlee pit 16-06-1840 inquest Ram Inn Beggarlee 30-06-1840
William Stocks 37 Bricks fell down the shaft 04-11-1842 inquest Horse and Jockey Selston 06-11-1842
Mark Day 21 Coal fell down the shaft Babbington pit 26-11-1844 inquest Horse and Groom Kimberley 13-12-1844
Thomas Soar 36 Drowned in the sump Babbington pit 20-08-1845 inquest Bulwell 23-08-1845
Joseph Smalley 47 Coal fell down the shaft Brinsley pit 26-07-1847 inquest Horse and Groom Brinsley 27-07-1847
Elisha Hopkin 19 Object fell down the shaft Brinsley pit 20-11-1848 inquest Three Tuns Newthorpe 24-11- 1848
John Ward Tub fell down the shaft Shireoaks pit 12 11 1855 inquest Greyhound Inn Worksop 13-11-1855

Caught In Winding Equipment/Crushed By Cage

Samuel Ellis Caught in the Whimsy wheel Bilborough pit buried Strelley 25-01-1809
Joseph Fletcher 11 Hit by a capstan handle Eastwood pit 27-02-1836 inquest Moon and Stars Eastwood 28-02-1836
William Morris 11 Crushed in Whimsy wheel Portland pit 01-08-1837 inquest Butchers Arms Kirkby in Ashfield 02-08-1837
John Siddon 40 Drawn into the Whim Gin wheels Awsworth pit 14-08-1838 inquest Lord Nelson Kimberley 16-08-1838
William Fisher 28 Drawn into the Whim Gin wheels Awsworth pit 14-08-1838 inquest Lord Nelson Kimberley 16-08-1838
Thomas Cutts 11 Crushed by the cage Portland pit 08-06-1848 inquest Duke of Wellington Kirkby in Ashfield 10-06-1848
John Boot 24 Hit by the cage Portland pit 25-11-1848 inquest Duke of Wellington Kirkby in Ashfield 27-11-1848
Joseph Wilson 62 Drawn into the pulley wheels Skegby pit 29-07-1852

Explosion/Ignition Of Methane Or Firedamp

Note When Methane Explodes A Blast And A Fireball Ensues
Victims Can Die Of Either Blast Or Severe Burns Or Both

Charles Braddow Explosion of methane 22-03-1825 Portland pit inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 23-03-1825
Benjamin Braddow (son)Explosion of methane 22-03-1825 Portland pit inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 23-03-1825
Unnamed boy Explosion of methane 22-03-1825 Portland pit inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 23-03-1825
Unnamed boy Explosion of methane 22-03-1825 Portland pit inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 23-03-1825
Unnamed boy Explosion of methane 22-03-1825 Portland pit inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 23-03-1825
William Golden 40 Explosion of methane Portland pit 08-09-1826 inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 13-09-1826
Edward Whitehead Explosion of methane Portland pit 00-12-1826 inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 28-12-1826
Thomas Dallison 40 Explosion of methane Portland pit 14-08-1830 died 26-08-1830 inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 29-08-1830
Samuel Flinders 30 Explosion of methane Brinsley pit 06-03-1832 died 12-03-1832 inquest Jolly Colliers Brinsley 14-03-1832
Benjamin Benistone 39 Explosion of methane Brinsley pit 15-05-1833 died 28-05-1833 inquest Sun Eastwood 29-05-1833
James Holland 19 Explosion of methane Portland pit 29-05-1834 inquest Jolly Colliers Kirby in Ashfield 01-06-1834
Aaron Wardle 12 Explosion of methane Portland pit 29-05-1834 inquest Jolly Colliers Kirby in Ashfield 01-06-1834
Thomas Hope Explosion of methane Awsworth pit 08-03-1836 inquest Lord Nelson Kimberley 09-03-1836
David Bostock Explosion of methane Eastwood pit 04-02-1845 inquest Ilkeston 27-04-1845
Thomas Smith 16 Explosion of methane Selston pit 14-03-1838 died 16-03-1838 inquest White Lion Selston 12-10-1838
John Bradshaw 19 Explosion of methane Eastwood pit 01-10-1838 died 22-10-1838 inquest Sun inn Eastwood 24-10-1838
Thomas Wilson Explosion of methane Willey Lane pit 30-07-1842 inquest Brick and Tile Underwood 31-07-1842
Thomas Slater Explosion of methane Beggarlee pit 21-01-1843 inquest Ram Inn Beggarlee 22-01-1843
John Shelton Explosion of methane Babbington pit 07-07-1846 died 19-07-1846 inquest Nottingham General Hospital 19-07-1846
John Fulwood Explosion of methane Willey Lane pit 16-09-1847 died 21-09-1847 inquest Underwood 22-09-1847

Explosion Of Gun/Blasting Powder
Used When Blowing Down Dirt Or Coal

Benjamin Wilkinson 21 Explosion of gunpowder pit not known 21-09-1841 inquest Jolly Colliers Kimberley 27-09-1841
Joseph Bradley 31 Explosion of gunpowder Eastwood pit 03-04-1850 inquest Moon and Stars Eastwood 05-04-1850

Overcome By Blackdamp Or Methane
Both Gasses Cause Death By Suffocation

Peter Smith Overcome by blackdamp Skegby pit 24-07-1807
Samuel Smith (son) Overcome by blackdamp Skegby pit 24-07-1807
Samuel Kirk Overcome by blackdamp pit unknown buried Strelley 17-01-1808
Joseph Burgess Overcome by blackdamp Wollaton pit 08-05-1827 inquest Lenton 10-05-1827

Miscellaneous

John Hill Run over by wagons on the surface pit not known 18-11-1826 inquest Kirkby in Ashfield 20-11-1826
Thomas Bale 20 Run over by a tub Turkey Field pit 20-08-1834 inquest Babbington village 21-08-1834
Harry Elson 62 Fell off a landing Radford pit 05-05-1837 inquest Grove Tavern Radford 07-05-1837
Joseph Ward 59 Burnt in an Ashpit Watnall pit 10-10-1837 inquest Royal Oak Watnall 12-10-1837
James Shimmel 9 Run over by a tub Skegby pit 07-03-1839 inquest Swan Inn Skegby 09-03-1839
William Calman 14 Crushed by a wagon Turkey Field pit 07-12-1839 inquest Broad Oak Strelley 09-11-1839
Thomas Sharpe 11 Run over by wagons Awsworth pit 15-11-1842 inquest Hearty Good Fellow Nuthall 16-11-1842
William Parker 36 Boiler explode surface Babbington pit 21-01-1845 inquest Nottingham General Hospital 31-01-1845
Henry Massey 11 Crushed by tubs pit not known 09-06-1845 inquest Jolly Colliers Kimberley 11-06-1845
Samuel Stephenson 12 Buried by coal falling off wagon Turkey Field pit 08-03-1845 inquest Broad Oak Strelley 09-03-1845
Jonathan Severn 13 Crushed by tubs Babbington pit 29-08-1846 inquest Jolly Colliers Nuthall 30-08-1846
Samuel Carrington 13 Crushed by tubs Babbington pit 14-01-1847 inquest Nottingham General Hospital 15-01-1847
Benjamin Severn 21 Caught in machinery Babbington Pit 02-09-1847 inquest Jolly Colliers Nuthall 03-09-1847
Stephen Bostock 45 Crushed by tubs Turkey Field pit 15-01-1852 inquest Broad Oak Strelley 17-01-1852
James Webster 18 Crushed by a wagon Turkey Field pit 14-10-1852 inquest Broad Oak Strelley 17-10-1852
George Mart Run over by tubs Pye Hill pit 28-03-1855