Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	28th June 1839
Colliery:	St. Hilda
Cause:	Explosion
Lives Lost:	51

A dreadful explosion took place at the St. Hilda pit, the property of Messrs. John and Robt. Wm. Brandling, at South Shields. The first intimation of this sad event was given between eight and nine o'clock on the morning, by a rush of smoke mixed with small coals from the down-cast shaft, which was observed by the banksmen. Soon after this, men and boys, to the number of 100, were brought to the mouth of the pit; but all they were capable of explaining was, that there was an explosion in the west working of the mine. Several of these were nearly exhausted from the effects of "choke damp," but in a short time many of them rallied, and, attended by some other men who had not been in the pit at the time of the explosion, courageously went down again to make what exertions they could to rescue their unfortunate fellow-workmen and relatives, who were in the immediate scene of danger and death. Melancholy to relate, not a solitary being was found alive ! About eleven o'clock the dead bodies of the unfortunate sufferers began to be brought to bank, to the indescribable grief and anguish of their afflicted relatives and friends, who had crowded to the scene of danger, and made it one of misery, confusion, and appalling distress. The pit being situated within the town of South Shields, an immense number of persons were quickly collected on the spot, and all seemed struck with dismay at the suddenness of the distressing event, which had brought sorrow and death to the homes of so many of their humble and industrious neighbours. It was a distressing spectacle to behold the groups of people assembled in the immediate vicinity of the pit, amongst whom could be easily recognised relatives of all ages of the unfortunate creatures who had been exposed to the appalling danger of this frightful explosion. The viewer of the pit, William Anderson, esq. was at the scene of destruction soon after its occurrence, and went down into the mine, where he remained till nearly one o'clock, when he came up for a brief interval for respiration, and then returned to the dismal scene of death, to help and encourage in the rescue of the unfortunate sufferers. Shortly after noon, Mr. Jobling, the viewer of Jarrow Colliery, one of the overmen, and the viewer of Heworth Colliery went down in order to render assistance. Mr. Mather, wine-merchant, also descended the pit at an early hour, and administered to the brave fellows engaged in searching for the dead bodies, such remedies as they stood in need of from prolonged exertion in the suffocating atmosphere. An eye witness of the scene below has given a graphic and eloquent description of the awful sight which the colliery presented. He says, the appearance below was as that of the grave itself. The men were moving a bout like spectres in a thick darkness, with indistinct glimmerings from more than usually bedimmed lamps, seldom uttering a word, except in suppressed tones, and doing their duty to the dying and the dead in a solemn manner that was truly affecting. After passing into the colliery eight or nine hundred yards, the ravages of the explosion were apparent. Proceeding further from the shaft, the air began to assume the peculiarity of smell that came from the chests of the bodies that had been inflated. The deadly gas became stronger and stronger as the locality of the explosion was approached. In one place five dead bodies were met with, which had apparently yielded up the spirit with placid calmness, without one muscle of the face being discomposed. Further on were three more that had been killed by the explosion — their clothes were burnt and torn — the hair singed off — the skin and flesh torn away in several places, with an expression as if the soul had passed away in agony. On going further, what is called "a fall," a large mass of the roof and sides, blocking up the passage, arrested the onward course, which, with difficulty, having been surmounted, several bodies were found, as if, in their attempts to escape, this barrier had stopped them, and conceiving it impassable, they had apparently lain down and died. In another place we suddenly encountered two men, one with a light, the other bearing something on his shoulders: it was a blackened mass — a poor, dead, burnt boy. Further on, waggons that had been loaded were met with, turned bottom upwards, and scattered about in various directions. There was also a horse lying dead directly in the passage, with his head turned over his shoulder, as if, in falling, he had made a last effort at escape; he was swollen in an extraordinary manner. At one point we suddenly came among twelve or fifteen men, who had been driven back by the surcharged atmosphere. One poor man being sick and ill, something was given to him to assist his recovery. When asked where he felt most oppressed, he said in a broken suppressed agony, "I am not well, Sir, I have two sons in there," pointing to the place he had been driven from in his attempt to recover his children — one was 16, the other 22 years of age. In the demeanour of the men, there was a self-devotion and courage that would have ennobled human nature in any rank of life. Their companions were brought out ill, sick, stupified, and were struck down at their feet with an uncertainty of recovering; yet it produced no hesitation, not a doubt, no flinching, but at once fearlessly the brave fellows moved into the same situation, to go on with the performance of their melancholy exertions. One brave man, sick and insensible, was borne out on the shoulders of his comrades, and after he had been a little relieved by medicine that was given to him, as soon as he could articulate, he desired all to go back directly and leave him lying, "for now," said he, "I am quite well, and no time should be lost." Another noble fellow, who had been relieved by his friends, as soon as his strength was a little restored, started to his feet and said, "Come now, let us in again ; our place is there, we are of no use sitting here !" and he would have rushed back to the danger he had narrowly escaped, but was prevented. One by one the sufferers were brought out from the shaft, presenting in their relaxed frames, dull eyes, and features in which life seemed still lingering, objects of deep interest. As they were carried by their comrades down to the carts which were in waiting to convey them away, they were recognised by a brother, a wife, or a child; and the terrible agony that was exhibited it is impossible to describe. The most earnest and unremitting exertions were made by the medical men present, but generally in vain; not one instance having occurred, in which inflation of the lungs was successfully resorted to. The judicious application of the proper remedies were, however, useful in some cases, which might otherwise have terminated fatally. As the scene of the explosion was nearly two miles from the shaft, and the choke-damp must have extended to a considerable distance from the point where it occurred, the difficulty of reaching the sufferers, and the danger and gallantry of those who sought for them, will be in some measure evident to the common reader. It is true, most of those engaged in the arduous duty were influenced by parental, fraternal, or filial affection in their dangerous task; but many of the noble fellows were instigated only by common humanity and sympathy, and we saw many of them, after having been brought almost lifeless to the pit-mouth, and being revived a little by the fresh air, again descend to the scene of death. We saw brothers, pale and quivering, stagger from the corf to the outside of the crowd for fresh air, and with a few brief and simple words of affection and agony, again, scarcely yet recovered, enter the vehicle, and return in search of him they had lost. A father, an old man, whose three sons were missing, who had been twice brought up to the light of day almost dead, and who, in his pale features, feeble frame, and quivering lips, displayed the effects of the poison he had been inhaling, and the insupportable grief that preyed upon him, again attempt to rush to the fatal spot, whence, as from the tomb, he had just issued, and he was forcibly detained. Carts containing three or four dead bodies left the yard from time to time, surrounded by groups of agonised mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters, screaming, and blind with grief. One poor woman — the wife of the poor man of whom we have just spoken, as being detained from risking his life for the third time down the pit — attracted particular attention. Three of her children had been at the fatal spot, and one of them lay dead before her. Her grief for a time over this poor little boy was terrible. But gradually she stole up to the door near the pit-mouth, through which the dead bodies were borne. She still had another boy, whose fate was doubtful, and she left the dead to inquire after him who might still be living. Hope was stronger than Despair. It was, therefore, with feelings of exquisite distress that those who saw her, beheld her other little boy borne lifeless past her. The sight of her utter misery, and the agonizing shriek which burst from her heart was terrible. Among the sufferers, fifty in number, was Joseph Argyle, aged 45 years. he descended the pit to look for his son and was brought up a corpse: he left a wife and eight children. The brother of this poor fellow was with him when they were overtaken by the choke-damp, and urged him to retire, but he persevered in seeking for his son, and fell a sacrifice to his parental affection. No human efforts were wanting to rescue the unfortunate sufferers. Everything that courage could accomplish was done. Mr. Anderson, the viewer, aided by the advice of the most experienced of his own officers, and the exertions of the viewers from other collieries, was calm, collected, and decided; and, although apparently deeply suffering from anxiety and exertion, gave his orders with a clearness and precision that did him great credit. The St. Hilda Pit had been worked about fifteen or sixteen years, during the whole of which time there had been no explosions of any serious consequence. The houses in which the pitmen and their families live, are situated about half a mile from the mouth of the pit, near a laid-in colliery, also the property of Messrs. Brandling, from which were formerly obtained the coals known by the name of "Manor Wallsend." The funeral took place in the course of the afternoon, amidst thousands of spectators, who seemed deeply affected by the melancholy scene. Some of the coffins were placed in hearses, but in many instances where more than one victim had fallen in a family, two, three, or even four, were placed in one cart, to be conveyed to their respective places of interment. A part of the procession took the road to Jarrow, where five corpses were conveyed; but the greater joined the cavalcade which proceeded to the Market-place. Fifteen were left at Trinity church, which appeared next in sight — whilst the minute-bell tolling, fell deeply and heavily on the ear. The Rev. T. Dixon was at the door, and read the burial service over these bodies, but the bulk of the procession went over to the Market-place. The Rev. James Carr officiated at St. Hilda's, where twenty-five were interred; five were conveyed to North Shields; and the crowd speedily began to disperse. The graves which were dug for the remains of the unfortunates reminded the spectator, by their size, of the desolation of the plague. As many as nine and ten individuals were placed in one common sepulchre. At the inquest a verdict of "accidental death," was returned, caused by the incautious and it is believed needless presence of a candle in a part. of the mine disused and seriously surcharged with impure gas. It is doubtful, however, whether blame can be attached to the system of lighting, as the use of the candle was general, and the mine, under such treatment was considered unusually safe. A large subscription was raised for the relief of the unfortunate widows and orphans, in number more than sixty.

Source:

Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham by M.A. Richardson. Published in five volumes in 1844.

	Argyle, Joseph, aged 45, Deputy Overman, went down and rescued his son, returned, and brought out dead, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Brown, Michael, aged 12, Driver, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Calvert, George, aged 28, Hewer, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Cooper, Thomas, aged 13, Craneboy, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Dickinson, John, aged 49, Rolleywayman, father of John, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Dickinson, John, aged 12, Driver, son of John Dickinson, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Dinning, John, aged 25, Hewer, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Dobson, Thomas, aged 32, Putter, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Douglas, Jonathan, aged 10, Driver, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Douthwaite, John, aged 18, Putter, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Ellison, Jonathan, aged 52, Hewer, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Elstob, Thomas, aged 9, Trapper, son of Thomas Elstob, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Elstob, Thomas, aged 32, Hewer, father of Thomas Elstob, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Fairley, John, aged 33, Rolleywayman, single man, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow
	Faulkner, Alexander, aged 21, Putter, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Forsyth, Alexander, aged 19, Putter, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Gibson, Benjamin, aged 53, Keeker, father of Richard and Thomas, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Gibson, Charles, aged 20, Putter, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Gibson, Matthew, aged 38, Water Leader, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Gibson, Richard, aged 16, Putter, son of Benjamin Gibson, brother of Thomas, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Gibson, Thomas, aged 14, Putter, son of Benjamin Gibson, brother of Richard, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Hall, George, aged 18, Putter, brother of John, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Hall, John, aged 16, Putter, brother of George, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Hall, William, aged 28, Hewer, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Hardy, Edward, aged 17, Putter, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Harrison, Thomas, aged 56, Wasteman, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI}
	Horn, Thomas, aged 57, Wasteman, widower, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Hudson, William, aged 22, Putter, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Johnson, Robert, aged 23, Putter, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Lamb, Henry, aged 26, Hewer, single man, brother of William, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Lamb, William, aged 29, Hewer, married, brother of Henry, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Longstaff, George, married
	Longstaff, George, aged 48, Hewer, father of James and William, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Longstaff, James, aged 9, driver, son of George Longstaff, brother of William, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Longstaff, William, aged 11, Driver, son of George Longstaff, brother of James, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Monid??, Thomas, married
	Moody, John, aged 12, Crane Boy, brother of Joseph, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Moody, Joseph, aged 16, Driver, brother of John, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Ramshaw, Patrick, aged 16, Putter, single man, brother of William, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Ramshaw, William, aged 23, Putter, single man, brother of Patrick, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Ranson, James, aged 24, Hewer, married, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow
	Rogerson, William, aged 21, Hewer, married, native of Percy Main, Buried: Christ Church Churchyard, Tynemouth
	Scott, Alexander, aged 15, Putter, brother of George, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow
	Scott, George, aged 28, Hewer, brother of Alexander, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow
	Snowdon, John, aged 25, Hewer, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Spence, Roger, aged 26, Hewer, married, native of Percy Main, Buried: Christ Church Churchyard, Tynemouth
	Stephenson, Andrew, aged 21, Hewer, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Stephenson, John, aged 23, Hewer, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Todd, William, aged 25, Hewer, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	Walker, George, aged 20, Putter, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields
	Young, William, aged 28, Hewer, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields
	All names found
	Youngest: 9 years old ; Oldest: 57 ; Average: 25

29 Jun 1839	Colliery Catastrophe, at St. Hilda's Pit, South Shields (Gateshead Observer)
30 Jun 1839	News (Port of Tyne Pilot)
02 Jul 1839	Coal-pit explosion at South Shields, Great loss of life (The Times)
06 Jul 1839	The Colliery Catastrophe, Explosion at St. Hilda's Pit, South Shields, and Loss of Fifty-Two Lives. (Gateshead Observer)

• Killed by Candle - The Explosion at St. Hilda Colliery 1839 by G. L. Atkinson, Published by South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, June 1989

 

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