1^st April 1909

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The Durham Colliery Disaster

Inquest

The inquest into the West Stanley Colliery explosion was resumed yesterday before Mr. John Graham, Coroner for the Chester Ward of Durham. The representatives present were the same as on the previous days.

On Tuesday night a theory as to the nature of the explosion was given by Mr. Simon Tate, a mining expert, of Trimdon Grange, who has personally investigated numerous mining disasters in the past thirty years. His opinion was that the accident was due to an explosion of coal dust, but as to what fired the coal dust he was unable to offer a suggestion.

The Coroner read the evidence of Matthew Elliott, to the effect that on the afternoon of the explosion he was on the flat sheets near the shaft on the south side, when he heard a loud noise coming from the south side, which seemed to shake the whole shaft siding. It was followed by a big cloud of dust and all the lights going out. The lights went out before he saw the cloud of dust. In trying to get into the cabin he fell against the cabin door. He did not remember any more after that.

The Coroner. — In addition to seeing the lamps going out and the dust, did you see any flame ? — No, sir.

Professor Redmayne. — Did you hear the noise of the explosion before or after the lights went out ? — Before.

Albert Todd, who was in charge of the bank of the Busty hauling engine, said that about 3:30 on the afternoon of the explosion a set of tubs was standing at the Busty landing. When the first tub got as far as the shaft landing he got a rap, "hold" ; that was to stop the set, which he accordingly did. In a minute or two he got a further signal — two raps — meaning that the set was to be brought out to the shaft siding. After the set was started again the rope tightened on the drum, by which he knew that the rope was tightening at the curve. When the set would be three parts round the curve the witness reversed the engine to ease the rope. Immediately on the reversal of the engine the explosion occurred.

Mr. Hall, the manager of the colliery, was recalled, and, in answer to Mr. Cooper, said respecting the case of a man named Humble and something which was said to have gone wrong with the electric gear four months ago, that he had Humble before him at the time. It was found that Humble by his own neglect had allowed the trailing cable to get fast between the guide of the coal-cutting machine and the pack wall, and had thereby damaged the cable. The witness severely reprimanded him.

By Mr. Atherley-Jones. — The terminals of the switches at the gate ends were enclosed in gastight boxes. The only report of flashing at the gate end switches he had heard of since he had been at the colliery was in the case of Humble ; the latter came to bank and reported it to the electrician. He thought the explosion occurred in the west way of the Busty seam. He had no theory as to the cause.

Mr. Atherley-Jones. — I am going to call two witnesses to speak to another flash.

Mr. Cooper. — Where and when ?

Mr. Atherley-Jones. — In the straight south district of the Towneley seam.

Major W. C. Blackett said that on the evening of the day of the accident he went to the pit in answer to a telephone message. He thought that the colliery had been safely managed in every way. He had been unable to come to any definite conclusion as to the immediate cause of ignition. He did not think the explosion originated in the Towneley seam. As regarded the Brockwell seam he thought nearly all the men had had warning. One of the most significant facts was that some of the props on the main return had been burned by what appeared to have been a current of fire passing out. After minute investigation he thought the balance of probability was against the Brockwell seam as the likely place wherein the explosion occurred. He proceeded to describe what he found in the Busty seam, and to consider a point of suspected ignition in the vicinity of a fall just round the west way. If the explosion occurred in the west curve of the Busty, the course seemed to have been westwards in the Busty up into the Tilley north and down the shaft to the Brockwell, where it developed in the intakes from both sides, then burst into the return, and afterwards went up into the Towneley.

The inquest was adjourned till to-day.