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<\/a>At the time of the accident the total number of persons employed underground at the Wellington pit was 723.<\/p>\n
Something wrong<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the official report into the incident, the first signs of a problem were at 7.40pm on the evening of May 11.<\/p>\n Air gushing out from the mine accompanied with thick dust alerted many to a possible explosion deep underground.<\/p>\n Just before 9pm rescue units started to arrive.<\/p>\n As a result of the explosion and fire the mine was sealed and remained so for many months.<\/p>\n On the 11 September the mine was examined for the first time since the accident and some of the bodies were recovered after noting their position in the mine.<\/p>\n Dr. Harris, the colliery doctor, gave his opinion of the causes of death to the 133 men and boys who perished.<\/p>\n Three bodies were not identified positively at the scene. <\/span><\/p>\n Questions to be answered<\/strong><\/p>\n Lasting eleven days, the inquiry into the incident took place at the Town Hall in Whitehaven. \u00a0It was decided that the Inquiry would run concurrently with the Coroners Inquest.<\/p>\n Forty four witnesses were summoned including Robert Steele the Colliery Manager, Richard Walker Moore, Mineral Agent for Lord Lonsdale and J. B. Atkinson,\u00a0Inspector of Mines.<\/p>\n The official report in to the accident at Wellington Pit was conducted by R.A.S. Redmayne,\u00a0\u00a0H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n The official report indicates that the ignition of firedamp was the cause of the explosion. However, what ignited the gases is not clear.<\/p>\n Remembered<\/strong><\/p>\n Two parts of the Wellington Pit remain to this day. The candlestick chimney, used as a ventilation shaft, and Wellington lodge, now used as base for the coastguard.<\/p>\n On the 100 year anniversary of the accident a large black memorial was unveiled. A week of events, parades and exhibitions around the town also took place.<\/p>\n A gravestone remembering the three people who were not identified was also unveiled. For many this finally drew a line under the events of 1910 as all those who died were recognised.<\/p>\n Record number of awards<\/strong><\/p>\n Such was the extreme conditions of the rescue that the King awarded 66 bravery medals to those involved.<\/p>\n The Edward Medal is known as the miners\u2019 VC and recognised the efforts of those in the rescue parties.<\/p>\n The medal which features the the monarch’s effigy and a miner rescuing a comrade was\u00a0designed by W. Reynolds-Stephens in 1907.<\/p>\n Living recipients were invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross in 1971.<\/p>\n Durham Mining Museum – Transcript of the official report in to the 1910 accident<\/a><\/p>\n BBC Cumbria \u00a0– 100 years later at Wellington Pit<\/a><\/p>\n Whitehaven News – Photo gallery of Wellington Pit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n
<\/a><\/a>Further information<\/h3>\n