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{{Short description|1937 coal mining accident in England}}
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The '''Holditch Colliery Disaster''' was a [[coal mining]] [[Mining accident|accident]] on 2 July 1937, in [[Chesterton, Staffordshire|Chesterton]], [[Staffordshire]], [[England]], in which 30 men died and 8 were injured. It was caused due to a fire and subsequent explosions, and was exacerbated by a decision from management to risk the lives of mine workers to try to save the coal seam.
The '''Holditch Colliery disaster''' was a [[coal mining]] [[Mining accident|accident]] on 2 July 1937, in [[Chesterton, Staffordshire|Chesterton]], [[Staffordshire]], [[England]], in which 30 men died and eight were injured. It was caused by a fire and subsequent explosions, and was exacerbated by a decision from management to risk the lives of mine workers to try to save the coal seam.


==The colliery==
==The colliery==
Archaeologists believe that the area itself was mined as long ago as [[Roman Britain|Roman times]].<ref name="expl">{{cite web|url=http://www.exploringthepotteries.org.uk/nof_website1/local_history_static_exhibitions/industrial_sites/pages/holditch1.htm|title=Holditch Colliery|work=exploringthepotteries.org.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>
Archaeologists believe that the area itself was mined as long ago as [[Roman Britain|Roman times]].<ref name="expl">{{cite web|url=http://www.exploringthepotteries.org.uk/nof_website1/local_history_static_exhibitions/industrial_sites/pages/holditch1.htm|title=Holditch Colliery|work=exploringthepotteries.org.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>


Holditch Colliery, also known as '''Brymbo Colliery''', opened in 1912, and was one of a number of coal mines in [[Staffordshire]].<ref name="expl" /> It was located around two miles north west of [[Newcastle-under-Lyme]].<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1935_38.pdf|title=HOLDITCH. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. 2nd. July, 1937.|work=cmhrc.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> Formerly the main employer in Chesterton, the colliery employed 1,500 men and mined [[ironstone]] in addition to [[coal]]. With varying amounts of coal coming out of the colliery per year, in 1947 it hit 400,000 tonnes.<ref name="expl" /> In many ways an old-fashioned mine, steam power was in some form used up until 1980.<ref name="expl" /> It was believed to have been the most gassy colliery in Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/coal/collieries/holditch.htm|title=Holditch colliery|work=staffspasttrack.org.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> The colliery consisted of two 2,000 feet deep shafts, sunk in 1912 and 1916, working Great Row and the Four Feet seams.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />
Holditch Colliery, also known as '''Brymbo Colliery''', opened in 1912, and was one of a number of coal mines in [[Staffordshire]].<ref name="expl" /> It was located around two miles north west of [[Newcastle-under-Lyme]].<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1935_38.pdf|title=HOLDITCH. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. 2nd. July, 1937.|work=cmhrc.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010184313/http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1935_38.pdf|archivedate=10 October 2010}}</ref> Formerly the main employer in Chesterton, the colliery employed 1,500 men and mined [[ironstone]] in addition to [[coal]]. With varying amounts of coal coming out of the colliery per year, in 1947 it hit 400,000 tonnes.<ref name="expl" /> In many ways an old-fashioned mine, steam power was in some form used up until 1980.<ref name="expl" /> It was believed to have been the most gassy colliery in Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/coal/collieries/holditch.htm|title=Holditch colliery|work=staffspasttrack.org.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> The colliery consisted of two 2,000 feet deep shafts, sunk in 1912 and 1916, working Great Row and the Four Feet seams.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />


Despite heavy investment in the 1960s and 1970s the colliery closed down in 1990, just three years after the end of the year long [[UK miners' strike (1984–1985)|miners' strike]]. Just before its closure it was taking out over 500,000 tonnes of coal a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/robertburden/Tonnage/Holditch.htm|title=Holditch Colliery|work=myweb.tiscali.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> Many of the miners transferred to nearby [[Silverdale, Staffordshire#Silverdale Colliery|Silverdale Colliery]], which itself closed down on [[Christmas Eve]] 1998. The current site of Holditch Colliery is now a large business park with warehouses and a large [[Vodafone]] call centre which is one of the area's largest employers.
Despite heavy investment in the 1960s and 1970s the colliery closed down in 1990, just three years after the end of the year long [[UK miners' strike (1984–1985)|miners' strike]]. Just before its closure it was taking out over 500,000 tonnes of coal a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/robertburden/Tonnage/Holditch.htm|title=Holditch Colliery|work=myweb.tiscali.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> Many of the miners transferred to nearby [[Silverdale, Staffordshire#Silverdale Colliery|Silverdale Colliery]], which itself closed down on [[Christmas Eve]] 1998. The current site of Holditch Colliery is now a large business park.


==Disaster==
==Disaster==
At around 5:45 am on 2 July 1937, two coal cutter men (Herman Payne and William Beardmore) were working when Beardmore noticed a flame.<ref name="Lums">{{cite web|url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/reminise/holditch.htm#top|title=HOLDITCH COLIERY EXPLOSION 1937|last=Lumsdon|first=John|work=healeyhero.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> The [[Coal seam fire|flame spread quickly across the coalface]] into a deadly wall of fire.<ref name="Lums" /> The two men quickly fled and actually survived the disaster which was about to strike.<ref name="Lums" />
At around 5:45 am on 2 July 1937, two coal cutter men (Herman Payne and William Beardmore) were working when Beardmore noticed a flame.<ref name="Lums">{{cite web|url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/reminise/holditch.htm#top|title=HOLDITCH COLIERY EXPLOSION 1937|last=Lumsdon|first=John|work=healeyhero.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref> The [[Coal seam fire|flame spread quickly across the coalface]] into a deadly wall of fire.<ref name="Lums" /> The two men quickly fled and actually survived the disaster which was about to strike.<ref name="Lums" />


Of the 55 men working in the vicinity of the fire, all but two managed to escape (W.Hystead and Arthur Stanton).<ref name="Lums" /> The two men became lost in the smoke, which eventually overcame them.<ref name="Lums" /> The remaining 53 men attempted in vain to extinguish the fire, with the timber supports ablaze and threatening roof collapse, the overman ordered the stone dust to be dumped and spread about as near to the fire as possible.<ref name="Lums" /> These efforts also proved futile and so the men retreated further back and took a roll call - revealing the absence of Hystead and Stanton.<ref name="Lums" /> By now the fire had taken hold and the two men were feared lost.<ref name="Lums" />
Of the 55 men working in the vicinity of the fire, all but two managed to escape (W.Hystead and Arthur Stanton).<ref name="Lums" /> The two men became lost in the smoke, which eventually overcame them.<ref name="Lums" /> The remaining 53 men attempted in vain to extinguish the fire, with the timber supports ablaze and threatening roof collapse, the overman ordered the stone dust to be dumped and spread about as near to the fire as possible.<ref name="Lums" /> These efforts also proved futile and so the men retreated further back and took a roll call – revealing the absence of Hystead and Stanton.<ref name="Lums" /> By now the fire had taken hold and the two men were feared lost.<ref name="Lums" />


Whilst the men were fighting a losing battle against the fire, day shift officials, who had been informed of the fire, arrived on the scene.<ref name="Lums" /> One of these men, H.Bentley, ordered a night shift ripper, John Hassell, to meet him at the right hand gate.<ref name="Lums" /> Here an explosion occurred at around 6:50, leaving Bentley with burns and killing Hassell.<ref name="Lums" /> Bentley recruited collier E.Beech to help him search for Hassell, but they failed to find him.<ref name="Lums" />
Whilst the men were fighting a losing battle against the fire, day shift officials, who had been informed of the fire, arrived on the scene.<ref name="Lums" /> One of these men, H.Bentley, ordered a night shift ripper, John Hassell, to meet him at the right hand gate.<ref name="Lums" /> Here an explosion occurred at around 6:50, leaving Bentley with burns and killing Hassell.<ref name="Lums" /> Bentley recruited collier E.Beech to help him search for Hassell, but they failed to find him.<ref name="Lums" />


{{Quote|"After my examination in the morning my mind was made up that those three men were dead. I do see they could have possibly have been alive from the atmosphere I saw."|Davies believed the three missing men to be dead, but Hystead somehow made it out alive.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />}}
{{Blockquote|"After my examination in the morning my mind was made up that those three men were dead. I do see they could have possibly have been alive from the atmosphere I saw."|Davies believed the three missing men to be dead, but Hystead somehow made it out alive.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />}}


Explosions occurring in the mine, a full evacuation was ordered. By around 7:10 the men met in the main crut.<ref name="Lums" /> The manager ordered for stoppings to be put on in the cruts, and sand, stone and dust was brought in for this purpose.<ref name="Lums" /> Ten minutes later the night-shift workers were sent home, as the day-shift workers began work on the stoppings.<ref name="Lums" /> The management team began inspecting the mine to decide upon a further course of action. Mr. Cocks, the managing director, ordered that the location of the stoppings be changed, despite disagreement from his team.<ref name="Lums" /> This proved to be a fatal decision, as the new location was in unsettled ground. The original plan by Mr.Davies, was to put two stopping dams in solid ground, and would allow for easy transportation of materials at a distance of less than 500&nbsp;yards from the pit bottom.<ref name="Lums" /> The revised plan Mr.Cocks ordered meant erecting three such dams in unstable ground, also providing air to the fire, and requiring a travelling distance of 1,300&nbsp;yards for essential tools and equipment.<ref name="Lums" /> The reason taken for this new plan was to save the coal seam.<ref name="Lums" />
Explosions occurring in the mine, a full evacuation was ordered. By around 7:10 the men met in the main crut.<ref name="Lums" /> The manager ordered for stoppings to be put on in the cruts, and sand, stone and dust was brought in for this purpose.<ref name="Lums" /> Ten minutes later the night-shift workers were sent home, as the day-shift workers began work on the stoppings.<ref name="Lums" /> The management team began inspecting the mine to decide upon a further course of action. Mr. Cocks, the managing director, ordered that the location of the stoppings be changed, despite disagreement from his team.<ref name="Lums" /> This proved to be a fatal decision, as the new location was in unsettled ground. The original plan by Mr.Davies, was to put two stopping dams in solid ground, and would allow for easy transportation of materials at a distance of less than 500&nbsp;yards from the pit bottom.<ref name="Lums" /> The revised plan Mr.Cocks ordered meant erecting three such dams in unstable ground, also providing air to the fire, and requiring a travelling distance of 1,300&nbsp;yards for essential tools and equipment.<ref name="Lums" /> The reason taken for this new plan was to save the coal seam.<ref name="Lums" />


{{Quote|"This change in the original plan of the manager was a vital matter, resulting, as it did, in the large death toll."|Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne finds that the change of plan was fatal to the men.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />}}
{{Blockquote|"This change in the original plan of the manager was a vital matter, resulting, as it did, in the large death toll."|Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne finds that the change of plan was fatal to the men.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />}}


By now 9:00, two government inspectors, Mr.Finney and Mr. Bloor, arrived on the scene, joining Davies at the pit bottom.<ref name="Lums" /> Ten minutes later a sixth explosion occurred, though the 35 men who were in the mine continued in their work, along with the three missing men believed to be lost.<ref name="Lums" /> Shortly before 10:10 a seventh small explosion occurred, followed by an eighth, and deadly blast.<ref name="Lums" /> The eighth explosion had sent men working 1,000&nbsp;yards away to the ground, reversing the ventilation system, and killing thirty men, badly burning the remaining eight.<ref name="Lums" />
By now 9:00, two government inspectors, Mr.Finney and Mr. Bloor, arrived on the scene, joining Davies at the pit bottom.<ref name="Lums" /> Ten minutes later a sixth explosion occurred, though the 35 men who were in the mine continued in their work, along with the three missing men believed to be lost.<ref name="Lums" /> Shortly before 10:10 a seventh small explosion occurred, followed by an eighth, and deadly blast.<ref name="Lums" /> The eighth explosion had sent men working 1,000&nbsp;yards away to the ground, reversing the ventilation system, and killing thirty men, badly burning the remaining eight.<ref name="Lums" />


===Men who lost their lives<ref name="Lums" />===
===Men who lost their lives===
⚫
Adkins, H.L. (35) undermanager.<br>
⚫
Bloor, James Alfred (51) H.M. Sub-Inspector of Mines.<br>
Cocks, John (57) managing director.<br>
⚫
Condliffe, Percey (35) collier.<br>
⚫
Cooke, Josiah (37) collier.<br>
⚫
Cooper, Albert Leslie (30) collier.<br>
⚫
Cornes, Albert Edward (26) haulage hand.<br>
Finney, Harold John (41) H.M. Senior Inspector of Mines.<br>
⚫
Forrester, J.W. (40) Hanley Rescue Brigade.<br>
⚫
Harris, Thomas Ernest (46) Hanley Rescue Brigade.<br>
⚫
Harvey, John (39) fireman.<br>
⚫
Hassell, John (35) ripper.<br>
⚫
Haystead, William (45) packer.<br>
⚫
Hodkinson, William Stanley (38) underground mechanic.<br>
⚫
Hough, W. (37) Hanley Rescue Brigade.<br>
⚫
Howle, Frederick John (36) collier.<br>
Jackson, Reginald (35) collier.<br>
⚫
Johnstone, Harry (34) overman.<br>
⚫
Jones, Ernest (51) fireman.<br>
⚫
Jones, Thomas Henry (28) collier.<br>
⚫
Latham, Samuel Henry (28) Hanley Rescue Brigade.<br>
⚫
Maiyer, Abel (39) underground mechanic.<br>
⚫
Mitchell, Henry (44) underground mechanic.<br>
⚫
Pepper, William (39) fireman.<br>
⚫
Pickerill, George Thomas (30) ripper.<br>
⚫
Price, Charles (33) collier.<br>
⚫
Rushton, George Thomas (41) ripper.<br>
Seaton, Albert Warwick (26) collier.<br>
⚫
Stanton, Arthur R. (31) packer.<br>
⚫
Turner, Frank (22) underground electrician.


===Men who escaped with injuries<ref name="Lums" />===
Source:<ref name="Lums" />

⚫
Bentley, Harry (47) fireman.<br>
⚫
* Adkins, H.L. (35) undermanager.
⚫
Birchall, Harry (34) collier.<br>
Bloor, Percey (49) fireman.<br>
* Bloor, James Alfred (51) H.M. Sub-Inspector of Mines.
Davies, John Owen (45) manager.<br>
* Cocks, John (57) managing director.
Edwards, George (29) collier.<br>
* Condliffe, Percey (35) collier.
⚫
* Cooke, Josiah (37) collier.
⚫
Lightfoot, Job (33) Hanley Rescue Brigade.<br>
Salt, Frederick Charles (39) collier.<br>
* Cooper, Albert Leslie (30) collier.
⚫
* Cornes, Albert Edward (26) haulage hand.
⚫
Stanier, George (37) collier.
⚫
* Finney, Harold John (41) H.M. Senior Inspector of Mines.
⚫
* Forrester, J.W. (40) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
⚫
* Harris, Thomas Ernest (46) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
⚫
* Harvey, John (39) fireman.
⚫
* Hassell, John (35) ripper.
⚫
* Haystead, William (45) packer.
⚫
* Hodkinson, William Stanley (38) underground mechanic.
⚫
* Hough, W. (37) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
⚫
* Howle, Frederick John (36) collier.
⚫
* Jackson, Reginald (35) collier.
⚫
* Johnstone, Harry (34) overman.
⚫
* Jones, Ernest (51) fireman.
⚫
* Jones, Thomas Henry (28) collier.
⚫
* Latham, Samuel Henry (28) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
⚫
* Maiyer, Abel (39) underground mechanic.
⚫
* Mitchell, Henry (44) underground mechanic.
⚫
* Pepper, William (39) fireman.
⚫
* Pickerill, George Thomas (30) ripper.
⚫
* Price, Charles (33) collier.
⚫
* Rushton, George Thomas (41) ripper.
⚫
* Seaton, Albert Warwick (26) collier.
⚫
* Stanton, Arthur R. (31) packer.
⚫
* Turner, Frank (22) underground electrician.

===Men who escaped with injuries===

Source:<ref name="Lums" />

⚫
* Bentley, Harry (47) fireman.
⚫
* Birchall, Harry (34) collier.
* Bloor, Percey (49) fireman.
* Davies, John Owen (45) manager.
* Edwards, George (29) collier.
⚫
* Lightfoot, Job (33) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
* Salt, Frederick Charles (39) collier.
⚫
* Stanier, George (37) collier.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
{{Quote|"I desire to thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his words of sympathy and appreciation of these brave men. They went down the pit to save their fellows, and Staffordshire will never forget them."|[[Josiah Wedgwood, 1st Baron Wedgwood|Josiah Wedgwood]], [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for [[Newcastle-under-Lyme (UK Parliament constituency)|Newcastle-under-Lyme]], speaking in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1937/jul/05/holditch-colliery-disaster|title=HOLDITCH COLLIERY DISASTER.|date=5 July 1937|work=HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 cc33-6|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>}}
{{Blockquote|"I desire to thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his words of sympathy and appreciation of these brave men. They went down the pit to save their fellows, and Staffordshire will never forget them."|[[Josiah Wedgwood, 1st Baron Wedgwood|Josiah Wedgwood]], [[Member of parliament|MP]] for [[Newcastle-under-Lyme (UK Parliament constituency)|Newcastle-under-Lyme]], speaking in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1937/jul/05/holditch-colliery-disaster|title=HOLDITCH COLLIERY DISASTER.|date=5 July 1937|work=HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 cc33-6|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>}}


On 19 October 1937 Scottish [[Scottish Football League First Division|Football League champions]] [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] travelled to the [[Victoria Ground]] to play [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in a benefit match for the victims of the disaster, raising £2,000 for the relief fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rangersfchistory.co.uk/rangerslinks/Holditch%20Coliery%20Disaster%201937.html|title=The Holditch Coliery Disaster 1937|work=rangersfchistory.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>
On 19 October 1937 Scottish [[Scottish Football League First Division|Football League champions]] [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] travelled to the [[Victoria Ground]] to play [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in a benefit match for the victims of the disaster, raising £2,000 for the relief fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rangersfchistory.co.uk/rangerslinks/Holditch%20Coliery%20Disaster%201937.html|title=The Holditch Coliery Disaster 1937|work=rangersfchistory.co.uk|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>


Today a memorial stands to the victims at [[Apedale Heritage Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northstaffsminers.btik.com/documents/2772683427.ikml|title=Holditch Colliery Explosion 1937|last=Lumsdon|first=John|work=northstaffsminers.btik.com|accessdate=31 August 2010}}</ref>
Today a memorial stands to the victims at [[Apedale Heritage Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northstaffsminers.btik.com/documents/2772683427.ikml|title=Holditch Colliery Explosion 1937|last=Lumsdon|first=John|work=northstaffsminers.btik.com|accessdate=31 August 2010}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


===Investigation===
===Investigation===
The first plan was the safest course of action, however the second plan was adopted to save profits at the risk of lives.
The first plan was the safest course of action, however the second plan was adopted to save profits at the risk of lives.


{{Quote|"It is my considered opinion that at the time the second plan was adopted, very dangerous conditions existed, and were known at the time to exist which made the attempt to follow this plan a matter of imminent peril to the lives of the unnecessarily large number of men required to execute it."|Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne concludes his investigation.<ref name="Lums" />}}
{{Blockquote|"It is my considered opinion that at the time the second plan was adopted, very dangerous conditions existed, and were known at the time to exist which made the attempt to follow this plan a matter of imminent peril to the lives of the unnecessarily large number of men required to execute it."|Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne concludes his investigation.<ref name="Lums" />}}


The original fire was concluded to have originated in the coal cutting machine and was due to frictional heat produced by the picks in the cut.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" /> The explosions were caused by [[firedamp]].<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />
The original fire was concluded to have originated in the coal cutting machine and was due to frictional heat produced by the picks in the cut.<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" /> The explosions were caused by [[firedamp]].<ref name="cmhrc.co.uk" />


===Later tragedies===
===Later tragedies===
Line 100: Line 107:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1935_38.pdf Detailed report] by The Coal Mining History Resource Centre
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101010184313/http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1935_38.pdf Detailed report] by The Coal Mining History Resource Centre


{{coord|53.0308392|-2.2476482|format=dms|type:landmark|display=title}}<!-- Per 1981 1:10,000 Staffordshire OS map (earlier OS maps document this to be the Holditch Colliery in particular) -->
{{coord|53.0308392|-2.2476482|format=dms|type:landmark|display=title}}<!-- Per 1981 1:10,000 Staffordshire OS map (earlier OS maps document this to be the Holditch Colliery in particular) -->


[[Category:1937 mining disasters]]
[[Category:1937 mining disasters|Holditch Colliery disaster]]
[[Category:1937 in England]]
[[Category:1937 in England|Holditch Colliery disaster]]
[[Category:Coal mining disasters in England]]
[[Category:Coal mining disasters in England]]
[[Category:Disasters in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Disasters in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Mining in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Mining in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:20th century in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:20th century in Staffordshire]]
[[Category:1937 disasters in the United Kingdom|Holditch Colliery disaster]]
[[Category:July 1937 events|Holditch Colliery disaster]]
[[Category:1930s fires in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1937 fires]]

Latest revision as of 05:59, 5 February 2024

Holditch Colliery disaster
Date2 July 1937
Time05:45 GMT
LocationHolditch Colliery, Staffordshire, England
Also known asBrymbo Colliery
Deaths30
Non-fatal injuries8

The Holditch Colliery disaster was a coal mining accident on 2 July 1937, in Chesterton, Staffordshire, England, in which 30 men died and eight were injured. It was caused by a fire and subsequent explosions, and was exacerbated by a decision from management to risk the lives of mine workers to try to save the coal seam.

The colliery

[edit]

Archaeologists believe that the area itself was mined as long ago as Roman times.[1]

Holditch Colliery, also known as Brymbo Colliery, opened in 1912, and was one of a number of coal mines in Staffordshire.[1] It was located around two miles north west of Newcastle-under-Lyme.[2] Formerly the main employer in Chesterton, the colliery employed 1,500 men and mined ironstone in addition to coal. With varying amounts of coal coming out of the colliery per year, in 1947 it hit 400,000 tonnes.[1] In many ways an old-fashioned mine, steam power was in some form used up until 1980.[1] It was believed to have been the most gassy colliery in Britain.[3] The colliery consisted of two 2,000 feet deep shafts, sunk in 1912 and 1916, working Great Row and the Four Feet seams.[2]

Despite heavy investment in the 1960s and 1970s the colliery closed down in 1990, just three years after the end of the year long miners' strike. Just before its closure it was taking out over 500,000 tonnes of coal a year.[4] Many of the miners transferred to nearby Silverdale Colliery, which itself closed down on Christmas Eve 1998. The current site of Holditch Colliery is now a large business park.

Disaster

[edit]

At around 5:45 am on 2 July 1937, two coal cutter men (Herman Payne and William Beardmore) were working when Beardmore noticed a flame.[5] The flame spread quickly across the coalface into a deadly wall of fire.[5] The two men quickly fled and actually survived the disaster which was about to strike.[5]

Of the 55 men working in the vicinity of the fire, all but two managed to escape (W.Hystead and Arthur Stanton).[5] The two men became lost in the smoke, which eventually overcame them.[5] The remaining 53 men attempted in vain to extinguish the fire, with the timber supports ablaze and threatening roof collapse, the overman ordered the stone dust to be dumped and spread about as near to the fire as possible.[5] These efforts also proved futile and so the men retreated further back and took a roll call – revealing the absence of Hystead and Stanton.[5] By now the fire had taken hold and the two men were feared lost.[5]

Whilst the men were fighting a losing battle against the fire, day shift officials, who had been informed of the fire, arrived on the scene.[5] One of these men, H.Bentley, ordered a night shift ripper, John Hassell, to meet him at the right hand gate.[5] Here an explosion occurred at around 6:50, leaving Bentley with burns and killing Hassell.[5] Bentley recruited collier E.Beech to help him search for Hassell, but they failed to find him.[5]

"After my examination in the morning my mind was made up that those three men were dead. I do see they could have possibly have been alive from the atmosphere I saw."

— Davies believed the three missing men to be dead, but Hystead somehow made it out alive.[2]

Explosions occurring in the mine, a full evacuation was ordered. By around 7:10 the men met in the main crut.[5] The manager ordered for stoppings to be put on in the cruts, and sand, stone and dust was brought in for this purpose.[5] Ten minutes later the night-shift workers were sent home, as the day-shift workers began work on the stoppings.[5] The management team began inspecting the mine to decide upon a further course of action. Mr. Cocks, the managing director, ordered that the location of the stoppings be changed, despite disagreement from his team.[5] This proved to be a fatal decision, as the new location was in unsettled ground. The original plan by Mr.Davies, was to put two stopping dams in solid ground, and would allow for easy transportation of materials at a distance of less than 500 yards from the pit bottom.[5] The revised plan Mr.Cocks ordered meant erecting three such dams in unstable ground, also providing air to the fire, and requiring a travelling distance of 1,300 yards for essential tools and equipment.[5] The reason taken for this new plan was to save the coal seam.[5]

"This change in the original plan of the manager was a vital matter, resulting, as it did, in the large death toll."

— Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne finds that the change of plan was fatal to the men.[2]

By now 9:00, two government inspectors, Mr.Finney and Mr. Bloor, arrived on the scene, joining Davies at the pit bottom.[5] Ten minutes later a sixth explosion occurred, though the 35 men who were in the mine continued in their work, along with the three missing men believed to be lost.[5] Shortly before 10:10 a seventh small explosion occurred, followed by an eighth, and deadly blast.[5] The eighth explosion had sent men working 1,000 yards away to the ground, reversing the ventilation system, and killing thirty men, badly burning the remaining eight.[5]

Men who lost their lives

[edit]

Source:[5]

  • Adkins, H.L. (35) undermanager.
  • Bloor, James Alfred (51) H.M. Sub-Inspector of Mines.
  • Cocks, John (57) managing director.
  • Condliffe, Percey (35) collier.
  • Cooke, Josiah (37) collier.
  • Cooper, Albert Leslie (30) collier.
  • Cornes, Albert Edward (26) haulage hand.
  • Finney, Harold John (41) H.M. Senior Inspector of Mines.
  • Forrester, J.W. (40) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
  • Harris, Thomas Ernest (46) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
  • Harvey, John (39) fireman.
  • Hassell, John (35) ripper.
  • Haystead, William (45) packer.
  • Hodkinson, William Stanley (38) underground mechanic.
  • Hough, W. (37) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
  • Howle, Frederick John (36) collier.
  • Jackson, Reginald (35) collier.
  • Johnstone, Harry (34) overman.
  • Jones, Ernest (51) fireman.
  • Jones, Thomas Henry (28) collier.
  • Latham, Samuel Henry (28) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
  • Maiyer, Abel (39) underground mechanic.
  • Mitchell, Henry (44) underground mechanic.
  • Pepper, William (39) fireman.
  • Pickerill, George Thomas (30) ripper.
  • Price, Charles (33) collier.
  • Rushton, George Thomas (41) ripper.
  • Seaton, Albert Warwick (26) collier.
  • Stanton, Arthur R. (31) packer.
  • Turner, Frank (22) underground electrician.

Men who escaped with injuries

[edit]

Source:[5]

  • Bentley, Harry (47) fireman.
  • Birchall, Harry (34) collier.
  • Bloor, Percey (49) fireman.
  • Davies, John Owen (45) manager.
  • Edwards, George (29) collier.
  • Lightfoot, Job (33) Hanley Rescue Brigade.
  • Salt, Frederick Charles (39) collier.
  • Stanier, George (37) collier.

Aftermath

[edit]

"I desire to thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his words of sympathy and appreciation of these brave men. They went down the pit to save their fellows, and Staffordshire will never forget them."

— Josiah Wedgwood, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, speaking in the House of Commons.[6]

On 19 October 1937 Scottish Football League champions Rangers travelled to the Victoria Ground to play Stoke City in a benefit match for the victims of the disaster, raising £2,000 for the relief fund.[7]

Today a memorial stands to the victims at Apedale Heritage Centre.[8]

Investigation

[edit]

The first plan was the safest course of action, however the second plan was adopted to save profits at the risk of lives.

"It is my considered opinion that at the time the second plan was adopted, very dangerous conditions existed, and were known at the time to exist which made the attempt to follow this plan a matter of imminent peril to the lives of the unnecessarily large number of men required to execute it."

— Inspector Mr.F.H. Wynne concludes his investigation.[5]

The original fire was concluded to have originated in the coal cutting machine and was due to frictional heat produced by the picks in the cut.[2] The explosions were caused by firedamp.[2]

Later tragedies

[edit]

Between 1949 and 1967 eleven more deaths were recorded. Most of these were due to roof falls.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Holditch Colliery". exploringthepotteries.org.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "HOLDITCH. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. 2nd. July, 1937" (PDF). cmhrc.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Holditch colliery". staffspasttrack.org.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  4. ^ "Holditch Colliery". myweb.tiscali.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Lumsdon, John. "HOLDITCH COLIERY EXPLOSION 1937". healeyhero.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  6. ^ "HOLDITCH COLLIERY DISASTER". HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 cc33-6. 5 July 1937. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  7. ^ "The Holditch Coliery Disaster 1937". rangersfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  8. ^ Lumsdon, John. "Holditch Colliery Explosion 1937". northstaffsminers.btik.com. Retrieved 31 August 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Holditch Colliery (11 deaths)". myweb.tiscali.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
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53°01′51″N 2°14′52″W / 53.0308392°N 2.2476482°W / 53.0308392; -2.2476482

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