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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	28th August 1884
Colliery:	Liverton (Ironstone)
Company:	Cargo Fleet Iron Co., Ltd.
Cause:	Fell down shaft
Lives Lost:	2
Category:

No. 5 on the Cleveland ironstone list occurred at the Liverton mines in August last. The shaft is 160 yards deep, and fitted up in the usual way with guides, 5 inches by 4½ inches thick, fixed to cross-buntons by iron bolts. The cages are 9 feet long by 3 feet 9 inches wide, and 7 feet in height, weighing about a ton each, and fitted with Calow's patent "grips" for arresting the cage in case of a broken rope or chain. The "grips" were put on about 13 months previous to the accident, and adjusted by Mr. Calow, and had since required nothing, except the usual examination and cleaning, and had worked satisfactorily. On the morning in question the usual number of men had been sent down the pit, also some material. The two deceased men, being mechanics, were going down to do some repairs to an engine ; they entered the cage, and had descended about 100 yards, when the "grips," without any apparent cause, were brought into action, and seized the guides at both sides of the pit. But either from the velocity of the cage, or the increased weight of the rope falling on to it, the "grips" cut through the guides (which appeared to be sound), causing the cage to fall and swing violently from side to side in the shaft, throwing the two men out, and they fell to the bottom, about 60 yards, and when found were quite dead.

It is to me most unaccountable how these "grips" were brought into action. I have never heard of an accident with them before, and have since tried numerous experiments with them, with the result that they always acted satisfactorily.

Source:

1884 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4429), Durham District by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 222 Where to find this report

	Brotherton, Edward, aged 35, Joiner, while descending the pit Calow's patent grip came into play, arresting the cage, which afterwards fell away and threw deceased out, they fell about 60 yards
	Whittaker, Watson, aged 34, Fitter, while descending the pit Calow's patent grip came into play, arresting the cage, which afterwards fell away and threw deceased out, they fell about 60 yards
	All names found
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