Durham Mining Museum - Robert Walls (original) (raw)

An explosion of fire-damp happened at the Low Hall Colliery on the 15th of November, which, besides killing 27 persons, set the mine on fire. In order to extinguish the fire the mine was inundated. This was easily accomplished by means of the Liverpool Waterworks, the pipes of which are within a few yards of the pit, but it prolonged the inquiry. The mine took a long time to unwater, and when an entry could be made it was found to have caused numerous and extensive falls of roof. Weeks elapsed before all the bodies could be recovered. In the meantime the fire, which was still existing, had to be walled off, and all the workings were full of explosive gas, and very difficult to remove. Up to the time of writing this report, I have not been able, after many separate inspections, to ascertain the amount of ventilation employed previous to the explosion, inasmuch as the furnace has not been relighted ; but from the small extent of openings, the size of the roads, and natural ventilation, which then kept the places perfectly clear of gas, and in a very satisfactory state, I easily arrived at the conclusion that it must have been more than ample ; and this opinion was corroborated by all the surviving men who had worked there. The seat of the fire, the course of the air, and the place in which a shot had been blown out, are marked on the plan annexed, together with all the openings in the mine at the time. Of all the mines of my district I should have least suspected an explosion in this; with workings on a small scale, and a limited number of hands, together with strong natural ventilation, the casualty had more the appearance of mystery than something real though melancholy. In two of the eight places marked on the plan may be easily discovered the blown-out shot-hole and the seat of the fire. From the latter, in which the persons were not working at the time, it is supposed gas was being carried by the current of air in the direction of the former, and the gas was ignited by the flame thereof. Whether the gas had been an accumulation through neglect, or a sudden and unexpected outburst, I have not yet been able to ascertain, as the place is still walled in, and the fire in existence. From the evidence, however, of the fireman, corroborated by many of the workmen, all the places were said to have been carefully examined only a short time previous to the explosion, and pronounced clear of gas and perfectly safe. Shortly after this the shot-lighter ignited several shots, and subsequently the shot that blew out, which without doubt ignited the gas. He was lying dead near the place, apparently as if retreating from it for safety. There is generally unmistakeable evidence after these casualties whereby a tolerably correct judgment may be given of their origin and direct cause, and this was no exception to the rule. If the shot-lighter or a fireman had carefully examined some of the working places adjoining the one in which the fatal shot blew out, in all probability the issue or accumulation of gas would have been discovered, and this serious calamity avoided. He was not in the habit of doing so, and it did not appear that he was ever required to make such an examination; neither was it customary where other explosions have happened. The colliery was managed by one of the directors of the company above ground, and by an underlooker of more than ordinary ability below. In all mines, particularly those which give off gas, the supervision of a man of superior standing and judgment is indispensable, not only for the purpose of avoiding errors and regulating the scale of labour, but also for the purpose of maintaining discipline among the work people, which the law should compel.

The coroner's jury returned a verdict according to the facts herein stated, and acquitted all connected with the works of blame. It consisted of some of the best men in the neighbourhood, and a few working colliers, one of whom worked in the No. 4 level of the mine in question.

• Lancashire Mining Disasters, 1835 - 1910 by Jack Nadin, Published by Wharncliffe Books, 2006, ISBN 1-903425-95-5

• 1869 Mines Inspectors Report (C 124), South West Lancashire and North Wales District by Peter Higson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 39, Accident Number: 89 Where to find this report

• 1869 Mines Inspectors Report (C 124), South West Lancashire and North Wales District by Peter Higson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 48, Accident Number: 89 Where to find this report

If you are researching Robert Walls (e.g. for family tree purposes) and you would like to hear from others with the same interest then please complete the details in the following form. We will show the information you provide on this page so that you can be contacted.

Return Return to Top