The Durham Colliery Disaster

The Mine Closed

Messrs. Burn, the two owners of the West Stanley Colliery, last night issued a circular to their work-people stating that they had decided to close the mine.

They explain that since 1903, when the thicker seams of the colliery were exhausted, the pit had been carried on at a heavy loss each year, with the exception of one year, when a small profit was made. The firm had carried on the colliery for three generations, and they made the present announcement with great regret. They had tried their level during the last six years to work the mine, and spared nothing, with the result that they had lost a large sum of money. This could be done without, but the lives lost could not be replaced. It was some consolation to them to know that the money had mostly gone in the payment of wages. They had not the heart, however, to go on further at present.

The official inspection of the colliery, undertaken in order to ascertain if possible the cause of the explosion, has been concluded. In addition to the Government inspectors, representatives of the employers and the men have visited all four seams.