It was established beyond all possibility of doubt that the immediate cause of the disaster was the breaking up by the two shots of the "jud" or projection of coal to which reference has been made and which at this point formed part of the barrier between the workings in progress and the accumulated water in the old disused workings beyond. The breaking up of the projection rendered the remaining partition so thin that it was no longer able to resist the pressure of the water behind, which burst through in overwhelming volume. The pressure has been estimated at about 80 lbs. per square inch. It is remarkable that the partition of coal left after the shots were fired and which was estimated at only six inches in thickness was able to hold back the water so long as it did, namely for about half an hour.

It was equally established that neither those concerned with the management of the pit nor any of the men working in it had any knowledge of the fact that they were approaching old waterlogged workings in the Brockwell Seam. No one knew of the impending peril. There was general knowledge of the existence of the old disused Paradise Pit to the east, and some knowledge that workings there had filled with water but no one had correlated this knowledge with the workings in progress from the View Pit. There was evidence by a witness, Carr, that some time before the accident his father, since deceased had once casually observed in conversation that some boring ought to be done at the part of the workings in question, but gave no reason for the suggestion. I do not attach any importance to this hearsay.