[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 18 Oct 1823 - Local News (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 18 Oct 1823   (p. 2, col. 3-5)

 

CATASTROPHE AT WHITEHAVEN. 

 

A most melancholy accident happened last Monday evening in the William Pit (Colliery,) near Whitehaven, occasioned by an explosion
of fire-damp; in consequence of which thirty-two persons were unfortunately killed; viz. fourteen men, sixteen boys, and two girls.
Seventeen horses were also killed. 

 

It is impossible to ascertain the particulars of this terrible catastrophe. That the explosion was occasioned by an accumulation of
fire-damp, is almost all that is certainly known. The sufferers were employed in a division of the workings where the pillars are to
be taken out; around these the ventilation was excellent, and regularly kept up, and there was not even an appearance of fire-damp,
except in the fractured parts of the workings in those places where the pillars had been removed, and into which there was no
necessity for any of the workmen to enter. Every precaution on the part of the overmen was regularly taken. The colliers were
strictly enjoined to use the Davy safety-lamp; but alas! familiarity with danger commonly engenders a contempt for it; and it now
appears that some individual had disregarded the injunctions which were repeatedly issued for the general benefit. 

 

The unfortunate sufferers had nearly completed their day's work, and in less than half an hour would have left the pit! In what
manner, or by whose means the damp was ignited, must forever remain a secret; not a single individual of those who were employed in
that part of the workings is left to tell the mournful tidings; nor can any one say whether the misfortune was the result of
accident, or of negligence, though the latter is the more probable of the two; for it is one of the peculiarities of the nature of
man, that he becomes by daily habit so familiar with even the most imminent danger, that he frequently neglects the necessary
precautions to avoid it: and it is by no means unlikely that some one of the sufferers, for his own convenience or indulgence,
removed the safety cylinder of his lamp, or otherwise subjected it to improper treatment, and, by so doing, ignited the noxious
vapour. It is already observed that a number of horses are killed, and it may here be added that some of their drivers escaped in a
manner almost miraculous. 

 

---------- 

 

The Bank Directors have adopted a resolution which is likely to be of essential service to the agricultural and landed interests,
that of lending on mortgages. Some very considerable landed proprietors have in consequence been enabled to reduce materially the
rate of interest they had previously paid on that species of security. 

 

On the 10th inst., a public vestry meeting was held in St. Mary's church, in this city, for the purpose of renewing and inspecting
the last half-yearly accounts of the select vestry for that part of St. Mary's parish which lies within the liberties of the city,
viz. from the 9th of April last, to the 9th of October inst., when it appeared that the whole expenditure for the half year,
including the maintenance and clothing of all the paupers in the parish workhouse, and in lunatic hospitals; as also premiums of £5
each, given with each parish apprentice; and every other expence attending the poor, only amounted to the sum of £474 8s. 10½d.,
which is £83 19s. less than the preceding half-year's account. And it will be recollected, that in the year 1820, when the present
select vestry commenced their labours, the expenditure of this part of Saint Mary, for the year 1819, was £2,867 9s. 10d. Hence, by
the industry of the select vestry, in the course of three years, an annual saving of £1,918 12s. 1d. to the parishioners has been
the result of the exertions of the select vestry.—This is from a correspondent; but the writer should not have forgotten that
'better times' have greatly reduced the number of applications and the amount of indispensable allowances. 

 

We have had three fine harvest days since our last; Monday, Tuesday, and yesterday; and considerable quantities of grain have been
placed out of harm's way; but there is still a great deal out, and even much to cut. The farmer should now lose no opportunity; for
at this advanced stage of the year, fine weather cannot reasonably be expected. 

 

The Countess of Lonsdale entertained a large party of ladies and gentlemen of Whitehaven and vicinity, at the Castle there, on the
evening of the 9th inst. The band of the Cumberland Militia was placed in the entrance-hall, and played martial music during the
arrival of the guests. Country dances were interspersed with Quadrilles throughout the evening,—well calculated to display the grace
and animation of the fair votaries of Terpsichore. About twelve o'clock the party adjourned to the supper-room, where there was an
elegant display of sandwiches, patés, jellies, ices, confections, wines, and liqueurs, in great variety. Dancing was recommenced,
and kept up several hours with unabated spirit. The company departed much gratified by the great politeness and attention of the
noble hostess. 

 

Mr. SHAW having been appointed surveyor of the highways, &c. for the town of Penrith, much is expected from his activity; among
other things, it is hoped that an improvement will be made at Netherend, so as to prevent that most inconvenient and injurious
accumulation of water which is at present always to be met with there after heavy rain. His successful exertions for the improvement
of the church-yard are highly indicative of his public-spirit, and have gained him the approbation of all who have witnessed the
alteration effected there; and his new appointment, we learn from various quarters, gives great satisfaction to the town and
neighbourhood. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cumbriafhs.com/pipermail/list-cumbria/attachments/20240129/daca8453/attachment-0001.htm>