Newspaper Extracts
Explosion at Fence Colliery
December, 1864George Ward was killed and several were injured after an explosion of fire damp at Fence Colliery, Woodhouse Mill in December, 1864.
An inquest was held by Mr. Webster, Coroner at Woodhouse Mill, near Sheffield, on the body of a man named George Ward, who was killed by an explosion of fire damp, in which several other men were very badly injured.
The deceased worked at Fence Colliery and it appeared he was with a number of other men and boys in the mine early in the morning, when a violent explosion shook the ground, and dense volumes of smoke were discharged through the upcast shaft.
The manager immediately descended, and took prompt measures to send out the men whom he found in a dreadful state of alarm.
They said there was a flash, gathering in intensity as it rolled along, then a roar like thunder, and then a blast which swept through the pit.
Some of the stoppings were blown down, but most of the men were able to get into good air and save themselves.
The exception was George Ward, and 3 brothers named Goodall. The latter were soon found, but the search for Ward was long and dangerous.
The brave men who went looking for him incurred serious risk.
At the inquest which was attended by Mr. Dickenson, Government Inspector of Mines, it was shown that there had been a sudden and enormous rush of gas into the workings from a fault in the roof, and that the fire damp was caused to explode by the naked lights which the men were allowed to use.
It was also shown that the underground viewer had not used proper precautions, in trying the place with his Davy Lamp before he allowed the men to work there.
The coroner remarked that his experience showed him that every mine ought to be worked with safety lamps.
The jury recorded a verdict of Accidental Death, coupling it with a strong censure of the viewer for his carelessness.
The Goodall brothers were in a dangerous state.
