The Workington Colliery Explosion

The coroner's inquest touching the death of 11 of the men killed by the colliery explosion at St. Helen's pit, Workington, on the 19th of April, was resumed yesterday before Mr. Lumb at Workington. Further evidence was given that in the afternoon a small explosion or flaming up of gas occurred in the pit while the men were engaged in building one of the walls to cut off the fire. One miner said he saw the flash, but did not hear the sound of an explosion. Mr. Croudace, the consulting engineer of the St. Helen's Company, said he arrived at the scene on the morning after the explosion in response to a telegram from Mr. Johnston, manager, saying that the pit was on fire. When he arrived he was informed of what had been done and that there were no living bodies in the pit. He thought nothing more could be done. With regard to shot-firing, he was of opinion that great care must have been taken. The ventilation must have been so good that the gas was quickly removed. Compressed powder, with which the shot was fired, was as safe as any they could use. He considered both Mr. Johnston, the manager of the mine, and Davidson, the under manager, very competent men. Asked whether as a mining expert he would think it a proper thing, when there were reports in the book of the presence of gas on six different occasions within the previous month, to fire a shot with the men in the pit, witness replied that that if there were such a quantity of gas as to make it unsafe then it would be unwise. He approved of withdrawing the men from further exploration of the pit. A miner came forward and stated that Robert Leyburn, one of the 35 men engaged on the wall, gave witness his watch to carry home in the afternoon. Leyburn was killed by the explosion in the evening. Mr. Johnston, manager, recalled, said the barometer was at 29in. at the top of the pit on the day of the explosion. The inquiry was adjourned till to-day.