First Scenes At The Colliery

Thirty Minister Console Families

The men immediately about when the first noise was heard were two check-weighmen, Thomas Hampshire and Henry Oldroyd, and Tom Jowett, banksman, who, besides seeing to the work of organising rescue parties, used the private wire of the colliery to ask Mr Ingham's central office at Thornhill Lees, for skilled aid. Telegrams were also sent to various managers of collieries in the neighbourhood, among them Mr John Nevin, of the Mirfield Coal Company's Collieries; Mr A Blakeley, of Soothill Wood Colliery; Mr-Maddison (son of the-former manager of the Thornhill Colliery) who is now at Crigglestone Colliery, and other gentlemen of experience, who lost no time in responding to the call.

Mr William Haigh, of the Ravens Lodge Colliery in Scout Hill, which was the scene of a dreadful catastrophe eleven months ago, was in Harrogate, and did not hear of the occurrence until eight o'clock when he returned to Dewsbury. Meeting with one of our reporters, he asked if what he had heard was true, and on being told that it was, took a cab and drove to the pit; arriving shortly before nine o'clock.
The earliest to arrive among the ministers of religion was the Rev George Wheelhouse, M.A., curate of the Church-of the Good Shepherd, Thornhill Edge, who, as the rector was away from the district, was in charge of the parish. He went among the people sympathising and condoling with them, and assisted in other ways like helping the large number, of reporters to compile as correct a list of the dead as could be obtained under the circumstances. This was obtained from the sheet kept by the man who provided miners with their lamps before going down.

No Hope Of Survivors

All hope of any of them surviving was by this time lost and so, as their names were called out, both minister and lampman, who knew most of the men entombed below, made expressions of deep sorrow. One by one they recognised names of friends. Of one name called out the minister remarked: "He was one of my most earnest supporters — a true, good church worker. He will be greatly missed." When the name of Robert Seargill was called out, the lampman said “Poor chap, he only went down the pit just before 12 o'clock". The explosion occurred at 12 noon.

Another name was called out and the minister sighed: "I have lost my choirmaster, poor fellow — and my organist, both true men." And so it went on till the roll was called and copied, men and boys.

Amongst the earliest to arrive from surrounding places was Alderman A.H.Pyra, Mayor of Dewsbury, who, immediately intimated his desire that something worthy should be done to relieve the pecuniary distress that would be sure to arise. Mr Walter Walker, of Dewsbury, was another. The Ven. Archdeacon Brooke, of Halifax (formerly rector of Thornhill for many years) was wired for, we believe by a relative, and he came quickly among the people he knew so well to give consolation where possible. He visited many lowly homes, where the gloom of death was very heavy.

Errand Of Mercy

The Rev J.W. Boote, Wesleyan minister, of Mirfield, who had heard of the sad catastrophe in the afternoon, came on a like errand of mercy. There were also several members of the Dewsbury Corporation, Mr R.F. Machell and Mr Walmsley, and Mr C.E. Crawshaw proprietor of the Hidings and other collieries. Indeed all the towns and villages seemed to have poured out their public men as well as private individuals, and the wonder was who had not been at the colliery during the afternoon, evening or night?

The following day more ministers of religion were, seen amongst the people, including the Bishop of the Diocese, and the Rev F.R. Grenside, rector of Thornhill, who had returned as quickly impossible to his parish on learning of the catastrophe; the Rev. H Sturt, the Rev Duncan Grant, the Rev. Canon Clarke, the Rev. J. Smith, superintendent Wesleyan minister of Dewsbury, and others, which made the number of clergymen to over thirty. Country gentlemen, manufacturer's, tradesmen of all classes were gathered together, many coming in vehicles, of which, both private and public, there was a great number. The bookings at and to Thornhill Railway Station during the day were very heavy, and so were those to - and from the station at Horbury.

Thornhill Lees And The Disaster
Ings Colliery Affected By Noxious Fumes

When the report reached Thornhill Lees that an explosion had taken place at CombsPit many refused to believe it to be true, but on further information coming to hand, great excitement prevailed. Crowds of people hastened to the scene of the disaster, anxious to hear the fate of the entombed miners and on reaching the place, the appalling nature of the calamity was quickly realised. The dismal tidings brought up by the exploring parties confirmed the impression that all must have perished, either from fire, or the deadly effect of the after-damp (gas). Full details of the lamentable accident are given elsewhere in these columns, and, as is shown by the list of names of the dead, Thornhill Lee has suffered in common with Thornhill and Thornhill Edge.

One of the Thornhill Lees mothers, Mrs Butcher, in her alarm for the safety of her two sons, went to Thornhill and remained a few hours hoping against hope. Her anxiety gave place to a sickening fear they would never be seen alive and her extreme agitation brought on alarming symptoms on reaching home. But assiduous attention partially restored her, after a night of severe suffering. Many of those, who were located at Thornhill have relatives living at Thornhill Lees, hence the eagerness with which every scrap of information was received.

On Wednesday evening, when it became known that a few had been found alive in the pit and brought out, cruel disappointment was caused to some families by the circulation of false reports of those being saved.

The colliers engaged in the Ings Pit at Thornhill Lees were soon convinced that something unusual must have occurred by reason of the noxious fumes which issued from the outlet which forms a means of communication with the Combs Pit. They had to beat a hasty retreat and fortunately all got away without experiencing any ill effects from the foul air with which the workings became charged. All the miners "played" (took time off work) on the following days, as it was considered unsafe to resume work until the after-damp had been drawn out by the ventilating fans.

Liberals Postpone Party

The committee of the Thornhill Lees and Savile Town Liberal Association were making arrangements for the holding of a garden party in Lees House, the home of Alderman Walker, but on Tuesday he very properly suggested that, seeing such a grievous catastrophe had occurred in the immediate neighbourhood, it would be better to postpone the Fete. At his request this has been accordingly done, and Mr Mark Oldroyd, Liberal M.P. for Dewsbury, and several local gentlemen, who had promised to attend, have been apprised of the postponement.

On Tuesday evening, the Rev S Chadwick of Leeds, preached a special sermon in the Wesleyan Church, Thornhill Lees, and in the opening prayer he referred in suitable terms to the terrible colliery accident. He remarked that before they could think of praying for themselves they must pray for the bereaved ones, and appeal for Divine aid in this time of tribulation.

He said they were met under the shadow of a great calamity, and their predominating thoughts centred upon those who had been suddenly called to their last account. The trials Job had to bear in being deprived of his family and property, and the burden of affliction also imposed upon him, did not shake his faith and trust in God. So those in their midst who had been called upon to endure the pangs of bereavement must look to a higher power for light to dispel the darkness, and for comfort to cheer their sorrow-laden hearts, the sermon, abounding in apt illustrations and affecting narratives, was listened to with deep attention, many being moved to tears.

The anthem, "Seek ye the Lord" was sung, Mr H Hughes rendering the solo. Mr G Pickles officiated as conductor.

Exploration In The Workings

The Cause Of The Explosion Not Yet Known

The exploring of the mine was started without delay when the pit manager, Mr Scott, arrived shortly after noon on Tuesday. Explorers went down the shaft in batches of four and five, displaying great courage in facing the foul air of the pit. Between four and five o'clock smoke begun to issue from the mouth of the shaft, and operations were suspended for a period. About this time Mr John Nevin, mining engineer at Mirfield, along with colliery managers and officials from other districts, arrived on the spot, and an exploring party, which included several mining experts, was organised. At about ten minutes past six, rescue operations were resumed, the smoke by then having ceased. The following now descended the shaft: -
First batch, Messrs Albert Lodge, pit deputy, James Brooke, banksman, Henry Crossley, under -manager at Ings Colliery, Thornhill Lees, and Friend Smith, hanger-on.
The second batch included; Mr Elliott, a traveller for the Hardy Pick Company, who had come to the colliery on business, Mr John Nevin, mining engineer, Mirfield, Mr Dakers, manager of the West End Colliery, Morley, and Mr Hartshorn, colliery manager.
The third batch comprised Mr Sam Blackburn, engineer at the pit, Joshua Castle, engine man, David Senior and Edward Pickles, colliers.
The fourth batch was, Samuel Woodcock, George Almond, Ezra Lodge and Wroe Parkin.
A fifth batch included, Mr Scott, manager, and Mr Kirsob, a young man who had come to the colliery to learn the business. Mr John Blackburn and Mr Rowland Bastow followed with a number of tools. Pieces of timber were then sawn into lengths and sent down the shaft. A quantity of bricks, mortar and sand were also brought to the pit bank to be used as requied.

Exploring Party Exhausted

The return of these skilled explorers was anxiously awaited by those who had gathered about the pit bank. Up to that time it had been impossible for several parties who had gone before them to discover what the actual state of affairs was. At about half past seven the exploring party were again brought to the surface. Mr Nevin, Mr Scott and other scientific men of the party proceeded to the colliery office, appearing somewhat exhausted, where they were interviewed by representatives of the press, to whom they briefly reported. They said they did not think anybody was still alive in the pit.

They said there had been an explosion and four bodies had been recovered (as reported elsewhere in these columns) and they had seen another body in the workings, which would shortly be brought to the pit bank. They were now putting in stoppings to improve the ventilation and expected to go straightforward with the work of exploration in that part of the pit where the men were supposed to be.

But it would be morning before any more of the entombed miners would be got to. This was as much as they could say at present and then intimated that they wished to have a consultation amongst themselves as to what was best to be done. Asked as to the probable cause of the explosion, they said they could not say because not a living body had been got out of the pit. In reply to the question as to whether they had any theory on the subject, they replied they had not, Mr. T. Maddison, whose father was once manager at one of Mr Ingham's collieries and who was present during the interview, volunteered to give further information to the press at a later period, and the interview was concluded.

Soon afterwards the blocking seam, from whence smoke had been seen issuing, was flooded in order that the exploring party might proceed with their, work in the Wheatley seam without the possibility of their escape being out off. People waited outside, thinking the dead (and perhaps the living) would be brought up. They had been moved on by a body of police who had been wired for by Superintendent Midgley, but they would still stay about. At about a quarter to ten o'clock, the police were able to announce that the managers of the different collieries, who had been in consultation, had definitely, decided that exploring operations should be abandoned until Wednesday morning, and that, therefore, those who were not officials should at once leave the premises.

Bridegroom Killed Was Due To Marry

One of the miners killed in the Thornhill disaster was a young man from Thornhill, Benjamin Milnes, who was due to be married on Saturday to Miss Jessop, a young woman living at Thornhill Edge. When the sad news reached her she was quite prostrate for a time and much sympathy was expressed for her in her sad affliction.

The poor fellow had got the house he intended to live in newly painted and decorated in order to make it as attractive as possible and it was also very well furnished. The Milnes household was also mourning the loss of Benjamin's brother and his father, George Milnes, who were also killed in the disaster.