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CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.

To sum up our observations, it appears fairly certain that a small initial explosion – a mere puff – was succeeded within about 50 seconds by a much more extensive and severer explosion which did practically all the damage, and which was projected from seam to seam. Where either of these explosions originated we are not prepared to say, but clearly it was not in the Tilley seam. The main explosion may have been initiated by an explosion of gas, but was undoubtedly propagated by coal dust. What the means of ignition were we cannot say.

We are anxious to emphasise the impression made upon us in investigating this and other explosions, that unless the grave danger which exists at many collieries owing to the presence of coal dust is attacked with much greater earnestness in the future than it has been in the past, disasters of a similar character will occur from time to time.

There is one feature of the case to which we have not yet alluded, but to which we are desirous of directing attention, namely the inability of those concerned with the management of the colliery to make any but a very wide estimate of the number of persons underground at the time of the explosion. It was at first supposed that these were under 100, and it was not until nearly all the bodies had been recovered several days after the explosion, that a correct estimate was arrived at. We directed our cross examination of the lamp man, John Todd, to elucidating the reason for this, and he gave us in explanation the fact that the spare lamps were sent out irregularly from the mine to be relit, and that the numbers in consequence got confused. There was no system of tokens or tallies in vogue at the colliery. Were each man to hand a token with his number to the banksman before entering the cage to descend the mine and receive it back on arriving at the surface, it would be possible to determine at any moment of the day the number of persons below ground. Some such system is in operation at some collieries and is easily worked. The register which is required to be kept under the Eight Hours Act will, however, obviate all uncertainty in the future.

It is our pleasant duty to bear witness to the fact that willing helpers, agents, managers, officials, and men from the neighbouring collieries as soon as they heard of the disaster came forward at once and offered their services. Relays of men belonging to West Stanley Colliery and to the neighbouring collieries were organised, and, under the leadership of experienced mining engineers, the work of recovering the bodies and exploration of the workings was carried on uninterruptedly until the colliery staff were able to cope with the work without outside assistance.

Also we should mention that after the explosion the mine was inspected carefully and thoroughly by officials of the Durham Miners’ Association, prominent amongst whom were Messrs. J. Wilson, M.P., J. Johnson, M.P., T. H. Cann, S. Galbraith, and others.

It is gratifying to be able to state that throughout a long and exhaustive inquiry no breach of the Coal Mines Regulation Act or Special Rules was brought to light.

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servants,

R. A. S. REDMAYINE.

R. DONALD BAIN.