The colliery was situated at the side of College Street near the canal. This colliery appeared in 1805 as ‘Gerrotts Bridge’, and again in 1829 in connection with the railways. In the late 1830s, the colliery was owned by Speakman Caldwell and Co. The 1860s must have been quite profitable for the colliery when it was raising 50,000 tons of coal per year, all transported by railway. The colliery closed in the 1870s. It last appeared in the Inspector’s Report for 1873, when it was owned by William Middlehurst.
02-1845
J. Briers was killed when the roof fell in at the colliery owned by Messrs Speakman Caldwells and Company. (Mining Journal)
12th. April 1845.
H. Kay was killed in an explosion of firedamp. (Mining Journal)
2nd. June 1847.
The colliery was the property of Messrs, Speakman, Caldwell and Company. On a Wednesday at about 4 a.m., the pit was working with men and boys below ground and boys and thirteen ponies. At 7 a.m., the explosion took place. All those in the pit escaped with the exception of eight men and boys who were working 1,000 yards from the shaft and they were suffocated along with three ponies. The coal caught fire and on Thursday was reported to ‘be burning with great fury’. No firedamp had been know in the pit prior to the explosion and it was reported that even though the mine was well ventilated, the men were provided with safety lamps but they did not use them, preferring to use candles.
- Those who died were:
- John Matthew aged 45 years, collier.
- Peter Matthew aged 22 years, collier.
- John Matthew aged 17 years, drawer.
- David Matthew aged 15 years, drawer.
- Joseph Matthew aged 12 years, drawer.
- John Lee aged 17 years, drawer.
- John Forest aged 12 years, drawer.
All sons of John who left a wife and several young children.
- Joseph Worral aged 50 years, collier who left a wife and five children.
The jury brought in a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’ caused by gas which came from the combustion of the coal and caused the explosion.
8th. June 1851
T. Cartwright was killed falling out of a tub while ascending the shaft.
9th. October 1851
P. Bridge was killed by a fall of roof.
11-05-1852
JOHNSON R. 20 Explosion of firedamp.
29th. May, 1852.
J. Anders was killed by an explosion. (Mining Journal)
05-07-1853
MARSH Thomas. Explosion of firedamp. Died 18th.
02-08-1854
HASELDEN Edward Died from an explosion of firedamp on 12th June. Burned
11-08-1854
At the Nelson Inn, there was an inquest on the body of Edward Hazeldene aged 17 years who died as a result of an explosion at the pit. Verdict Accidental death due to the use of a naked candle. (Wigan Examiner)
15-09-1854
On Wednesday the Sir John Mine at the colliery, Thomas Pickavance was injured. (Wigan Examiner)
25-11-1854
FILLINGHAM A. Fall of roof
19-12-1855
JOHNSON Joseph Fall of roof
21-07-1856
TWIST John Explosion of firedamp
21-07-1856
A collier went to a working place containing firedamp day after day knowing all the time that is lamp was defective. On the morning of the accident, a large quantity of gas was present which fired at his lamp and burned him so severely that he died soon afterwards. (Mines Inspectors Report)
02-08-1856.
The inquest into the death of John Twist was held. Mr Higson attended. Verdict accidental death. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
13-09-1856
Robert McGill the underlooker pleaded guilty to not providing correct ventilation in the mine at the Magistrates Court He pleaded guilty and was fined £2 plus 19/2d costs.
17-07-1857
NO NAME Drawn over the pulley.
02-09-1857
BALSHAW Ellis Collier Fall of the roof.
05-09-1857. ST.HI. At the inquest into the Queens Arms Parr into the death of Ellis Balshaw Verdict accidental death
18-11-1857
JONES Thomas Fireman Explosion of firedamp.
17-04-1858
BREACH OF THE RULES.
At St. Helens Petty Sessions on Tuesday last John Fegan a waggoner at the Gerards Bridge colliery was charged with a breach of the Special rule No. 9 smoking in the pit and pleaded guilty. Alexander Allen the overlooker was called and stated that the men and been told of the rules and a copy given to him. Richard Low the fireman in the mine smelt tobacco and saw sparks drop out of the pipe. he was found guilty and committed to Kirkdale for three months of hard labour. (Colliery Guardian)
29-05-1858
SMOKING IN THE PIT.
At St. Helens Petty Sessions on Tuesday last Thomas Cunliffe a drawer at the pit was charged with a breach of the Special Rule No. 9 smoking in the Rushy Park pit on the 13th inst.. Lamps were exclusively used in the, mine and he had unlocked his. He was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment at Kirkdale Prison. (Colliery Guardian)
08-06-1858
JAFFAN Patrick 22 Waggoner. Between railway trucks on the surface.
10-11-1858
DERBYSHIRE Thomas 37 Dataller. Fall of the roof while he was preparing to support with timber.
13-11-1858
ACCIDENT AT THE COLLIERY.
On Wednesday last Thomas Derbyshire was killed at the colliery belonging to Caldwell McCormack by a fall of roof. He was removing rubbish from a fall in the Sir John mine and another fall occurred crushing him fearfully. He must have died instantaneously. (Colliery Guardian)
06-11-1858
Thomas Derbyshire was killed by a fall of roof in the Sir John mine aged 40 years Verdict accidental death. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
20-12-1858
HAYES Edward 11 Drawer. Fall of the roof which brought down the timber in the road.
7th. December 1858.
Ralph Hunt the undermanager at the colliery was charged with smoking in the pit but there was insufficient evidence and the case was dismissed. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
5th. February 1859.
At the inquest on William Bradshaw, aged 30 years, who was found dead in the Rushy Park Mine and had been suffocated by choke damp. At the inquest at the Nelson Arms Inn, the jury found a verdict of accidental death. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
16th. November 1860.
Peter Taylor and Edward Frodsham were charged with a breach of the Special Rules in neglecting to give the underlooker notice of a days absence. They pleaded guilty but Taylor said he was ill and Frodsham said that he had overslept. The proprietor of the mine did not press the matter and the Bench inflicted a penalty of 40/- plus costs. (Wigan Observer)
2nd. February 1861.
Thomas Bradbury was charged with stealing coal valued at one farthing. He was seen walking along the footpath at the side of the colliery and James Turner saw him pick up some coal and told him he was trespassing. He said he had used the path for twenty years. He was sent for trial to the Sessions. (Prescot Reporter)
28th. December 1858.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
A little boy aged 10 years, Edward Hade, was reported to have been killed in the Rushy Park Mine by a fall of roof. He was a drawer and the inquest was at the Nelson Inn verdict accidental death. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
07-12-1858
Ralph Hunt the undermanager at the colliery was charged with smoking in the mine but the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
01-02-1859
BRADSHAW WILLIAM 31 Fireman Suffocated in foul air. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
05-02-1859
At the inquest into the death of William Bradshaw aged 30 years at the Nelson Arms Inn it was stated that he was found dead the Rushy Park Mine and had been suffocated by choke damp. Verdict Accidental Death. (St. Helens Intelligencer)
16-08-1859
HAZELDON James 58 banksman. Falling down the shaft.
29-10-1859
ATHERTON John 64 collier. Falling from the holing in the main coal.
25-02-1860
COLLIERS MARCH.
It is reported that the colliers do not know what to do in the strike. the masters will not give way and many men are at work. On Thursday morning there was a meeting from which tow to three hundred marched to Haydock to seek the support of the colliers there. It was resolved that the strike would continue. (Prescot Reporter)
10-02-1860
It was reported that the strike was terminated. (Prescot Reporter)
03-03-1860
The colliers strike continues at Radleys colliery where they claim that they are being paid 1854 wages. early on Saturday chain pit was working and the colliers turned back. (Prescot Reporter)
16-11-1860
Peter Taylor and Edward Frodsham were charged with a breach of the special rules at the colliery in neglecting to give the underlooker notice of a days absence. They pleaded guilty but Taylor said he was ill and Frodsham said that he overslept. The proprietor of the mine did not press the matter and the bench inflicted the highest penalty of 40/- plus costs. (Wigan Observer)
02-020-1861
Thomas Bradbury was charged with stealing coal valued at one farthing. He was seen walking along the side of the colliery and James Turner saw him pick up some coal and said he was trespassing. he said that there had been a path there for twenty years. He was sent for trial to the sessions. (Prescot Reporter)
12-04-1861
FINCH Cornelius 28 Sinker Falling out of the hoppet while ascending.
20-04-1861
ACCIDENT AT THE COLLIERY.
A collier named Finch residing at Thrvers Street St. Helens was killed last week by falling from the cage as it was ascending the shaft. (Colliery Guardian)
31-05-1862
The nightwatchman Thomas Roberts accidentally fell to his death down the pit three hundred yard deep whilst rendering assistance to one of the pitmen who was about to descend. There was a fence to prevent accidents but this was temporally out of use at the time. (Mines Inspectors Report)
31-05-1862
McLEAN James 32 Nightwatchman. Falling in the shaft from the surface.
06-06-1862
At the inquest held into the death of James McClean at the White Horse Inn it was stated that of Friday night he was standing close to the shaft holding a light when he stepped backwards and fell 303 yd and was fearfully mangled. Verdict Accidental Death. He was a married man aged 33 years and had two children. (Wigan Observer)
04-06-1862
James Mc Clean was holding a lamp while an ox was being loaded into the cage. (St. Helens Newspaper and Advertiser)
11-10-1862
Some boys said that they’d seen a youth fall down an old coal pit near Gerrards Bridge. Every effort was made and a winding was placed over the shaft and a man went down 38 yards and found a hungry dog that had lived for a number of days on the carcasses of it’s more unfortunate friends that had fallen down the shaft. The children were severely admonished by the police. (St. Helens Newspaper and Advertiser)
02-10-1863
APPLETON Thomas 45 Sinker He fell from the scaffold while repairing the shaft.
10-10-1863
FATAL ACCIDENT
On Friday last the deceased an engineman named Thomas Appleton aged 48 years was engaged with another man named Rawson in repairing the shaft of the pumping engine. They were standing on a swinging scaffold suspended from ropes at the top of the shaft. There was also another rope that lowered a hoppet down the shaft. The hoppet was filled with bricks and when it was wound up it caught the ropes of the scaffold and upset it. Appleton fell to the bottom some eighty yards and the other clung on and was saved. Verdict Accidental Death. (Colliery Guardian)
10-10-1863
At the inquest last Monday into the death of Thomas Appleton at the Royal Arms in Parr it was stated that he fell down the shaft. Verdict Accidental Death. (Wigan Observer)
21-11-1863
A temporary strike was reported at the colliery. (St. Helens Newspaper)
03-07-1864
PARR William 46 Collier. Fall of top coal.
08-07-1865
At the inquest into the death of William Parr at the Royal Inn Westfield Street, it was stated that he died from injuries received when the coal fell on him. He was 45 years old. (Wigan Observer)
1865.
ABANDONMENT OF GERARDS BRIDGE COLLIERY.
Late in the autumn of 1864 Old Gerards Bridge Colliery at St. Helens was abandoned and water began to accumulate in the old workings and waste which had been made and gradually filled the shafts. The Gerards Bridge mines are continually worked by Ravenhead and Croppers Hill collieries.
A sufficient barrier appears to have been left in the Rushy Park Mine alongside the Gerards Bridge boundary to prevent the influx of water in that direction but the pits which are sunk through the old workings of the Ravenhead mines are bordered by only with a nine-inch brick wall. If therefore the Ravenhead mines were inundated it would fill the St Helens mines also. In the plans of the Ravenhead mines, it shows that for some distance a barrier of 20 yards thick has been left whilst on the workings next to Gerards Bridge but not the whole length and persons who have worked there declare that the barrier had been cut through.
The owners of the Croppers Hill Colliery admitted that his workings had penetrated the goaf at Gerards Bridge years previously and that there was a barrier but such as would be formed by the subsidence of the strata after the coal had been taken away. Unless the barrier had been set out by carefully surveyed plans it could scarcely be depended on. The surveyor could not always see the level to which it had been drowned. In many cases extending over a period of years, he would have to take the information from the overlookers which was not always correct. Under the circumstances, therefore, I have no confidence in the safety of the workpeople employed in the St. Helens, Ravenhead and Croppers Hill mines. It was manifestly attended with all serious doubts the information available to me was not fully reliable and risk to life was immense. I, therefore, believe it to be an imperative duty on my part to serve the owner of each colliery with a notice under the 17th Section of the Act 23rd and 24th Vict chapter 151 which the enquiry was referee to the arbitration of Mr. John George Blackburn of Oldham who was appointed as the sole arbitrator to inquire into and decide all the matters in this dispute. The defendants pleaded that the danger was not on their own premises or of their own making but in the property of other people, they were not liable to remove it and on the other hand, it was contended that they were justified in continuing their work so long as the danger existed. The motives were also objected to as not being in accordance with the Act for the Inspector of Mines.
On these questions being raised, the arbitrator adjourned the inquiry to give me an opportunity of obtaining legal opinion from the Officers of the Crown. The opinion not only fully established the legality of the notices. The arbitrator decided that the barriers were sufficient protection and that there was no risk to life by continuing the work of the said collieries with the water hanging over them but there was a cause for inquiry. (Mines Inspectors Report)
REPERCUSSIONS OF CLOSING THE GERARDS BRIDGE COLLIERY.
1865
Copy of the notice sent to a James Radley Esq.
MANCHESTER 12th May 1865.
Sir,
As Inspector of coal mines for the district which comprises the Croppers Hill Colliery near St. Helens in the County of Lancaster, of which you are the owner, I beg to give you notice in pursuance of the 17th Section of the act for the Regulation and Inspection of Mines, 23rd and 24th Vict, Chap 151, that I have found, on inspection, examination and inquiry, that the said Croppers Hill Colliery is in great danger of suddenly being flooded by water now accumulating in pats and shafts of the Old Gerards bridge Colliery thereto adjoining, the workings of which have recently been suspended and that the said Croppers Hill colliery, otherwise than as provided against by any express provision of the said act, or the general or special rules, therein is dangerous or defective so as, in my opinion, to threaten or tend to threaten to the bodily injury of some person. And I beg to give notice that the grounds of my said opinion are as follows:
That there is no satisfactory proof of there having been a proper, substantial and well-defined barrier, portion or pillar of coal left in each mine unworked, intact and capable of securely holding back the water now accumulating in the workings, pits etc. of the Gerards Bridge Colliery, as it acquires additional pressure, which is constantly accruing and that in the event of the said accumulation of water suddenly liberating itself, it will most certainly inundate the workings of the mines of the Croppers Hill Colliery belonging to yourself and partners and thereby imperil the lives of the persons employed there.
Your attention is particularly called to the 17th section of the Act which section is attached to this notice,
I am &c
PETER HIGSON Inspector of Mines.
(Mines Inspectors Report)
1865.
A COPY OF THE AWARD OF THE ARBITRATOR.
To all those present shall come I, John George Blackburn of Oldham in the County of Lancaster, mining engineer, send greetings.
Whereas Peter Higson, and Inspector of coal and ironstone Mines for the said district which comprises the Croppers Hill Colliery near St. Helens in the said County of Lancaster, did, by writing under his had, dated 12 th May 1865, give notice to James Radley the owner of the said Colliery in pursuance of the 17th Section of the Act for the Regulation of Coalmines, 23 and 24 Victoria, chap. 151, that the said Peter Higson had found, on inspection, examination and y inquiry, that the said Croppers Hill colliery was in great danger of being suddenly flooded by water accumulating in the working s and shafts of the Old Gerards Bridge thereunto adjoining, the working of which colliery had bee frequently suspended, that the said Croppers Hill colliery was otherwise that n as provided against by any express provision of the said Act of the General or Special Rules thereunder, dangerous or defective so as, in the opinion of the said inspector, to threaten or tend to threaten to the bodily injury of some person and he gave to the said James Radley further notice that the grounds for his opinion were as follows:
That there was no satisfactory proof that there had been a proper, substantial and well-defined barrier or portion of coal left in each mind unworked intact and capable of securely holding back the water accumulating in the workings and the pit of the Old Gerards Bridge colliery, as it acquired additional pressure which was constantly accruing, and that, in the event of the said accumulated water suddenly liberating itself it would certainly inundate the workings of the Croppers Hill Colliery belonging to the said James Radley and thereby imperil the lives of the persons working there.
And whereas the said James Radley did, within the twenty days after the receipt by him of the hearing cited notice, give notice in writing, dated 1st June 1865, to the said Peter Higson and also to the Right Honourable Sir George Grey, Baronet, one of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, of his objections to the remedy of the danger mentioned in the said hereinbefore recited notice and ground thereof, and therein nominated as arbitrators in the matter, Thomas Livesley Esq, me the said John George Blackburn, Isaiah Booth, Jacob Higson and George Gilroy being practical mining engineers not interested or employed in the management of the said colliery and whereas to the said Right Honourable Sir George Grey, Baronet did by writing under his had dated 23rd day of June 1865 appoint me and the said five persons nominated to the arbitrator to determine in the matter of difference.
Now therefore the said John George Blackburn, having taken it upon himself the said reference and having before the said parties thereto and having heard, weighed and considered the several allegations and statements and pursued and examined plans submitted to me for the mines and the workings of the said Croppers Hill colliery and of the mines adjoining workings near thereto, the correctness of the plans so produced to me being established and as far as practicable to my satisfaction, do find, order and determine that, although there was on the part of the said Inspector probable cause to suspect the dangers apprehended and particularly mentioned in his notice, the works of the said James Radley were not dangerous or defective, that the lives of the persons employed in the said Croppers Hill colliery are not imperilled nor is there any danger of bodily injury to them the said persons by any sudden liberation of water accumulating in the Gerards Bridge colliery for the reasons following, that is to say:
First, that before any water so accumulated can reach the workings of the said James Radley it must rise considerably higher in th level that it stands now. Second, that when it attains such a level as to flow into the mines and works of the said James Radley. It will approach in a regular steam or overflow from the aid accumulation of water, and lastly that the approach of such a stream will be easy in detection. The pits in which the said water is accumulating being open and admitting daily measurement to show it’s height in the said pits and consequently it’s level as affecting the pit and works of the said James Radley.
In Witness whereof I, John George Blackburn have hereunto set my hand on 20th day of August 1865.
JOHN G. BLACKBURN
Signed in the presence of:
CHAS. ED BLACKBURN, Clerk.
With JNO. PONSENBY, Solicitor, Oldham.
(Mines Inspectors Report)
1865.
COPY OF THE NOTICE SENT TO JAMES HADDOCK ESQ.
Manchester 12th July 1865
Sir,
As Inspector of Coalmines and Ironstone mines for the district which comprises the Ravenhead Colliery near St. Helens in the County of Lancaster, for which you are the managing partner, I beg to give you notice in pursuance of the 17th Section of the Act for the Regulation of Coalmines 13th Section 14th Vict Chap 151 that I have found on inspection examination and inquiry that the Ravenhead mines are in great danger of suddenly being flooded by water now accumulating in the pits and shafts of the Old Gerards Bridge colliery thereunto adjoining the workings of the colliery which had recently been suspended and the said Ravenhead colliery otherwise than as provided against by any express provision under the Act the General or Special rules thereunder, dangerous or defective, so as in my opinion to threaten or ten to threaten to the bodily injury of some person. And I beg to give you further notice that on the grounds of my said opinion are as follows:
That there is no satisfactory proof of there having been a proper, substantial and well-defined barrier, portion or pillar of coal left in such mine unworked, intact and capable of securely holding back the water now accumulating in the workings of the Old Gerards Bridge colliery and as it acquires additional pressure, which is constantly accruing, and that in the event of the water suddenly liberating itself it will most certainly inundate the mines of the Ravenhead Colliery belonging to yourself and your partners and thereby imperil the lives of persons employed there. Your attention is particularly drawn to the 17th section of the Act which section is attached to this notice.
I am &c.
PETER HIGSON.
(Mines Inspectors Report)
Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.
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