Maltby Pit Disaster of 1923
Official Inquiry Ended
The official inquiry into the causes of the fire and explosion at the Maltby Main Colliery in July, when twenty-seven lives were lost, was closed at Sheffield.
Mr. B. H. Pickering, agent of the colliery questioned by Mr. Mottram, Chief Inspector of Mines, said that in his view the cause of the accident was firedamp. No inspection of the affected area of the pit had been possible since the explosion, nor would inspection be possible for many months, and he saw no good purpose in adjourning the inquiry.
The Commissioner - 'Could the bodies be recovered within twelve months'
Mr. Pickering - 'I should be doubtful of that'
Alderman Edward Dunn, pit inspector for the men at Maltby agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Herbert Smith, President of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, that there had been no uniform method of working the pit since the coal-getting began there twelve years ago, and that, it was largely in consequence of the frequent change of ideas that 'we are where we are to-day.'
Professor Granville Poole, of Armstrong College. Newcastle, called by Mr. F. A. Macquisten. K.C., for the colliery company, said that he had investigated nearly all the mine explosions in this country during the past fifteen years. He had come to the conclusion that the method adopted of fighting the gob fire by means of stoppings to seal up the affected area was, in the circumstances, the right and proper one.
Mr. Macquisten K.C., submitted that the mines regulations had been observed in every respect up to July 27, the day before the disaster, when the weak link in the organisation, the human element broke down.
Mr. Richards. speaking on behalf of the the Miners' Federation, said he regarded as the first and foremost contributory cause of the disaster 'the astounding and reckless manner' in which, he alleged, the officials, with exception of Mr. Jackson, Managing director, and Mr. Butler, the manager, had treated the dangers from gas in the working places. He expressed the view that the mining industry was not getting the attention it should from the scientific brains of the country, in view of the great loss of life entailed.
Mr. Arthur Neal, for the manager, under-manager, and deputies, held that if there had been any recklessness on the part of the under-men, it had been recklessness concerning their own lives. The over-men and the deputies were not guilty of more than an error of judgment in permitting the men to remain when there was 4 per cent of gas.
The quality of the atmosphere in the colliery continued to be under surveillance for some years afterwards.
Maltby Model Village
©2004