Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	14th March 1859
Colliery:	Netherton
Cause:	Boiler explosion
Lives Lost:	1

March 14th. — Another boiler explosion took place at Netherton Colliery ; one life lost.

The boiler was 21 feet by 5½ feet ; had two safety valves but only one float. Boiler had been filled about ten minutes before the explosion ; the safety valve was artificially weighted. Pressure stated to be 28 lbs. per inch.

No clear evidence of the boiler having been neglected could be adduced, the persons in charge being reputed steady, and the evidence bearing that shortly before the accident the boiler was found all right. On the same day, viz., 28th of January, another dreadful boiler explosion took place at Felling Colliery.

In this case three boilers, thirty-six and a half by six and a half feet were all inter-connected, both with water and steam ; this boiler was nine years old, were well fitted up as to the safety apparatus, but she had been seen to leak a little time before the explosion ; and after being exposed to view the plates alongside the laggons were observed to be reduced in thickness from three-eighths to three-sixteenths of an inch, steam pressure thirty six pounds per inch. The usual evidence was given as to being well supplied with water, and in addition to double floats and safety valves had a steam indicator.

I believe many of these explosions arise from the side plates of the boiler, about the top of flue, becoming heated nearly red, and hence arise explosions. A great safeguard is the staying of these boilers by inside bolts, and it is a curious fact that in the most of cases the explosion occurs a short time after the filling up of water has taken place, and it is a mistake to assume that it required the plates to be red hot before the explosion occurs.

Source:

1859 Mines Inspectors Report

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