Description

Harraton. Explosion with loss of more than four lives: An accident having happened to the machinery of the 6th pit, sixteen men and boys set out to travel through the old workings to the Row pit, carrying a torch (low-rope) to light their way. They wandered into the vicinity of a pair of dams, which shut off a considerable tract of workings charged with firedamp. An accumulation of gas having taken place in consequence of leakage through the dams, which were not provided with any relieving pipe, an explosion ensued. Such of the party as were slightly injured succeeded in finding their way to the Row pit, but the greater number, being more seriously burnt or injured, were left to their fate. The leakage of gas continued to supply fuel for several successive explosions, at lengthened intervals, which were felt at the top of the pit, though half a mile distant. As soon as they seemed to have subsided, the overman and others went down in search of the unfortunate people, some of whom were dead, others grievously burnt; but scarcely had they reached the vicinity of the dams when another unexpected explosion took place, which killed the overman and two of his companions — fire having existed all along at the dams. Next day a considerable party penetrated to the spot, and recovered all the bodies but one (that of a boy), which, however, was found the day after. Some of the bodies were very little burnt. The coal being thought to be on fire, the pits were closed up for about seven weeks; and on the workings being examined subsequently by the light of steel mills, to the surprise of the explorers, a pony was found.

Sources

• Annals of Coal Mining and the Coal Trade by Robert L. Galloway. Published in 1898.
• Parish Records

Researchers

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