2014 Dixons Vent Pipe. Photo by A Rochead

On 20th November 2014, Betty McLean in Canada sent me an email saying, “I was just reading about the cleanup and the removal of the “H” at the roundabout. I remember someone saying that there is only a pipe in the ground where the miners were brought up after the explosion and it is near this roundabout. Just wondering if this area could be found and perhaps a memorial plaque placed at the spot as something of historical interest.”

There is indeed a pipe in the ground, but it is my understanding it is used to vent the gasses, that still exist at those depths. The pipe is relatively modern and sits a few metres off the footpath on Hillhouse Road, on the Hamilton Technology Park side. It is located on the bend, before Priestfield Cemetery. In October, during a historical walking tour, Alex Rochead took this photo. It may not be the exact location that the men and boys were brought up from below, but the spot is definitely poignant and worthy of some kind of marker or memorial.