Children's Employment Commission

No. 329. — John Rothery, 16 years of age:

I am a driver at the William Pit. I like it well enough. It does not tire me much. I like the day-shifts best. I am more sleepier at night-shifts. The hardest work is when we hold back going down a hill. We stop at 12 o'clock to eat till near 1; we have bread and coffee. I was laid up once with a broken arm; I went up against the coal-wall, and got my arm fast. I've been to school, but it's long since. I used to go to Sunday-school. I go sometimes to Anabaptist meeting. I can't read; I used to read. I can't write. Jesus died for sinners : we must serve him. I have heard of the Apostles, but I have forgot who they were. [He has no knowledge of figures. He looks very sickly and sallow.] It was not on account of my clothes that I left off going to Sunday-school, but I like better going about.

No. 330. — Jonathan Johnson, aged 11 years 11 months:

I trap in the William Pit. I have trapped there five years, I am quite sure. I trap two doors. I move one check, and put lockings into the wheels. I like being a trapper. I'd rather go to school; it's far better ; one learns. I have a lantern. When the baskets are not passing I sing and lake, but I don't leave time door. I like the day-shifts best. I'm sleepy in the night-shifts. I sleep well in the daytime when I'm in bed. They don't use me well; they welt me when I'm late in; it's not my fault always, because I can't get down sometimes. It's the chicken welts me. James Atkinson [a driver] is the chicken. He made us cry. I complained; but he has not welted me since. I like being in altogether. I come out sometimes at 6 and sometimes at 5. I go regularly to the Sunday-school, a Baptist one. I can't read the Testament; but in little reading-books. I learn religion. I shall go to hell if I die. I know Christ died to save us. He is in heaven. I learn to pray. I can't spell "man" or "boys." 2 x 5 is 10. I don't know how many two tens is. I used to be frightened at the horses; one once kicked me. I lie a-bed sometimes in the morning, but not at night. I lake about sometimes for two hours when I get out of pit before I get home.

No. 331. — Mr. William Thornton, Under-ground Steward at the William Pit. Examined at Whitehaven, August 4:

We cannot so conveniently use shafts with our horses, because we could not turn so well as with traces. Where a number of baskets are brought together there is always a shaft used; but where we bring one at a time, as from the foreheads to the level line, the drivers push them back with their shoulders.

My uncle, William Thornton, was an overman at the Workington Colliery, and he warned Coxton, the steward, of the probability of the sea breaking in, and was discharged in consequence. I heard before myself that there was danger. We keep 70 fathoms above us, nearly all of sandstone. 60 fathoms would be safe, but it would of course depend on the nature of the soil.

Each driver will make 13 journeys, averaging 700 yards each way.

I never admired conductors in the shafts; we had them once, iron rods, and there was many a stop with them. I think it safest without them. There has never been a rope broke with any one since I have been here, nearly 18 years. We draw with five-inch ropes, and the shaft is 110 fathoms; and we draw 11 cwt. of coals.

We send a man constantly round time works, night and day, to examine the state of the colliery; four go regularly on Sunday evenings.

No. 332. — The Rev. Henry Curwen, Son of the Proprietor of the Workington Colliery, examined August 3, at Workington, states:

There was a report some time before the accident at our colliery that a sand-feed was apprehended, but I am satisfied that no warning reached Mr. Curwen as to the liability of an irruption of the sea.

I never heard of any notice being written or painted up of there being danger in proceeding with the works, and I have been often in the colliery, and must have seen it if it had been there. After the accident had occurred, but not till then, I heard that men had been paid higher wages for working in the pit. The report I heard was that the pit would be lost if we continued working it for three weeks, owing to a sand-feed; and I spoke to my mother, as to whether my brother should be informed of it; but it was a mere rumour. Mr. Curwen wishes also to state that Coxton, the steward at the time of the accident, was engaged by him at Mr. Dunn's recommendation, of Newcastle, as a man perfectly capable to take the charge of the colliery, and Mr. Curwen placed implicit confidence in him in consequence.

No. 333. — Joseph Parin, Esq., Surgeon. Examined August 4, 1841, at Whitehaven:

I was present after the irruption of water at the Workington Colliery. [This gentleman, on hearing that his evidence would be printed, refused to give it.]

No. 334. — — Dickenson, Esq., Surgeon, Workington. Examined August 5:

It is my impression that no blame attached as respects the accident in the Workington Colliery to any one but the steward Coxton. They let the pillars be worked too far away, I have understood, and the roof sank. A more humane man than Mr. Curwen does not exist. He had no idea of there being danger I am sure, for though reports had reached him, they were not such as he could rely on. The water mounted very fast: the air forced out of the bearmouth [a horizontal entrance] blew my hat off. I recovered all those who were brought out. Some of them were suffering from suffocation. Accidents have been very rare latterly at these collieries. Mr. Curwen has given positive orders that no child under 10 years of age should go into his pits, and I believe no female is allowed to go down.