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CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTORY

II. PARTICULARS OF THE COLLIERY AND ITS BACKGROUND
General
Seams Worked and Method of Working
Underground Lighting
Ventilation
Output and Persons Employed
Management of the Mine
Precautions Against Coal Dust

III. NARRATIVE OF THE EXPLOSION
Discovery and Preliminary Attempts at Rescue
Work of Trained Rescue Brigades
Exploration of the Explosion Area
The Story of the Three Survivors
The Use of Trained Dogs

IV. THE PLACE OF ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF EXPLOSION
The Place of Origin and Source of Ignition
Other Possible Sources of Ignition
Operations on No. 2 Dip Face
Shot-firing on No. 2 Dip Face
Detailed Examination of Shot-holes

V. THE SPREAD OF EXPLOSION
Area Affected by the Flame
Violence
Source of the Combustible Material

VI. COMMENTS
Shot-firing Practice
On the Examination of the Shot-hole for Breaks
On the Examination for Inflammable Gas before Shot-firing
On the Use of Sheathed Permitted Explosives
On the Storage, Use and Handling of Explosives, and Shot-firing Practice in General
On the Practice of Firing Roof Shots on Longwall Faces to Obtain Packing Material
General
On the Adequacy of the Ventilation
On the High Death Roll
On the Operation and Organisation of the Trained Rescue Brigades
On the Need to take Special Measures to Safeguard Against Explosions and Fires in the Whitehaven Group of Collieries

VII. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS
Shot-firing
Precautions Against Coal Dust
Rescue and Recovery Work
Appointment of Specialist Mining Engineer and Supervision by Responsible Officials

IX. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Action Taken and Pending on the above Recommendations
Acknowledgments

APPENDIX I. Killed and Injured

APPENDIX II. List of Witnesses

APPENDIX III. Causes of Death of 104 Men, Grouped into Seven Areas

PLAN No. 1 — Plan showing Ventilation
PLAN No. 2 — Plan Showing Probable Disposition of Personnel Prior to Explosion - Six Quarters Seam
PLAN No. 3 — Plan of Explosion Area - Six Quarters Seam