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Diary of an explosion

H.  Jackson’s Diary

9_Portrait_of_H_Jackson__courtesy_of_The_Beacon_
In 1819 H. Jackson described in his diary four days following an explosion that took place in Saltom Pit on Saturday 27th February.
He wrote that, on hearing of the explosion, he and Mr Piele ‘(w)ent down staple pit out Horizontal stone drift and got to slope pit top. Found the after damp so strong there that it was impossible that any of the men would be alive. Concluded that it was unnecessary to visit the men any further as the men were beyond dispute dead.’

The task of ventilating the mine then began.  ‘Left Wm Quayle with a fresh set of men, Wm Bently and Co at 4.00 to begin with air pipe at Dam Tail. Damp strong in return.’

At midnight on Saturday they ‘(b)egan to put up air pipe from pillar corner and carry it down the slope pit. Got it made complete to slope pit bottom. Wm Quayle and his set came to relieve us at 7.00 o'clock on Sunday morning. Explored foreward from pit bottom. Found James Scott, Benjamin Hadwin, Wm Kershaw* and John Fox - the furthest of them not more than 20 yds from pit bottom. Brought them to slope pit bottom before I came out.’  All were buried that evening.

The explosion was assumed to have ‘… fired at John Fox's candle as he was foremost and had his lamp case upon his back and his lamp in it.’
From Jackson’s account it is clear that foul air could seriously hamper rescues.  Any unconscious survivors would quickly become dead victims.

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