The following is an extract [Page A2] from the Blantyre Colliery Explosion Inquiry Report, dated 21st December 1877. In particular a sub report by Messrs Ralph Moore, TE Wales, and James Willis, Inspectors of Mines.
Transcribed word for word by P. Veverka this extract comments on the immediate aftermath of the Pit Disaster and first rescue attempts. Keep in context No 2 pit was where Priestfield Cemetery is today, No 3 pit being exactly where Redburn Farm Inn is. Illustrated by an image never been seen before, created exclusively for Blantyre Project by AI. Continued from yesterday:
“Mr Moore received a telegram shortly after 10 o’clock on 22nd October 1877 and he and Mr. Robson, the assistant inspector, arrived at the colliery at 12 noon. By that time it was feared that the loss of life was great, for out of a total of 233 who were stated to be down Nos 2 and 3 pits in the morning, only 27 from the north level had come up alive and already 7 bodies found dead close to the bottom of No 2 pit had been brought up.”
“No 2 shaft was not much disturbed and the cages worked from top to bottom. At No. 3 shaft the cages and ropes had been damaged and some of the woodwork in the shaft blown out by the force of the explosion. A descent was made in a ‘kettle’ and a point 127 fathoms from the surface was reached, below which is a large accumulation of debris, the result of the explosion, was found.”
“Although this shaft was so much damaged, and no one could reach the bottom, air continued to pass down freely and voices were heard from the bottom of the shaft. Mr Moore and Mr Robson accompanied by some engineers from the neighbouring collieries descended No 2 pit shortly after 12 o’clock; they only reached a short distance along the south level until they were stopped by “falls” and afterdamp, but the incline towards No. 3 pit, called “More’s dook” although full of chokedamp was open as far as could be seen.”
“Several dead bodies were found in the south level within 20 yards of the shaft. It was found that the ventilation of the mine had been disarranged and attempts were made to restore it, so as to be able to penetrate into the workings. Subsequent examinations of No. 3 shaft showed the the obstruction consisted of tubs and wood which had blown up from the bottom and of ‘debris’ and wood lining which had fallen part way down, that it was 30 feet thick, that the operation of clearing it out was likely to be a tedious one and that the survivors could not soon be reached from it.”
“It was determined therefore to attempt their rescue by securing a passage from No. 2 pit to No 3 pit. The current of air going southwards from No 2 pit was cut off by means of a brattice stopping, so that the whole air coming up More’s dook from No. 3 pit might pass up into No 2 pit workings and into the upcast shaft without the risk of being counteracted by No 2 south current. Although the fires had been withdrawn from the furnace about mid-day, after this was done a steady current of air passed from No. 3 and up More’s Dook to the upcast. By this means, the choke-damp was so far cleared out that a passage was made against the air down More’s dook and along the communication road to No 3 pit, which was done, at considerable risk from the foul air by 10 o clock at night. Four persons were found alive but badly injured. One of them, a boy, died shortly afterwards, and the other three were brought to the surface by 12 o clock. They were sent to Glasgow Infirmary and have since died.”
“No 3 workings were then explored as far as possible, and the greatest exertions made to ascertain whether any more persons were still alive, until the explorers were stopped by choke-damp and fire-damp in all directions. Seventeen bodies were found and many of them carried to the bottom of No 3 shaft. The engineers were then of opinion that no more persons could be alive in the mine. While this was being done, parties were still cleaning out the debris at the bottom of No 3 shaft, but towards Tuesday morning the position of matters looked unfavourable. It was feared that the sides of this shaft might collapse and so thoroughly close up the pit that no air could pass from it to No 2 pit, which would leaver the explorers without any ventilation whatsoever. Seeing there was no hope of saving life, and as the explorers were working at considerable risk, it was determined that the safest course to pursue was to reach the bodies from No. 3 shaft. The work of reopening it was carried on with all possible speed.”
