Pocket Nook Colliery

July 1858.
There was an accident at the colliery belonging to Mr. R. Walker which caused the death of William Whittle the hooker-on. The inquest was at the Queen’s Arms at Parr on Thursday and Mr Higson the Inspector heard that a large quantity of stones fell from the side of the shaft onto him. Verdict accidental death. (Colliery Guardian)

05-12-1860
HIGGINGTON John 28 Collier, HOWARD John Underlooker. An explosion of gas that took place on the 4th.

05-12-1860
An accident occurred in the Potato Delf seam at the colliery belonging to Andrew Walker hat caused the death of John Howard the underlooker at the colliery and a collier, John Higgleton. The circumstances attending to this accident caused the Inspector to comment “I doubt the capacity of persons securely engaged when accidents in mines under supervision occur. But that would infer prejudiced decision as many have deservedly earned the confidence of their employers and a position in the colliery in which they stand”. The machinery at the colliery having become damaged, alteration and repairs were necessary and imperative as the coal was being drawn at the upcast shaft and the downcast was used only to provide ventilation without the requisite appliances for raising and lowering persons which for some time had unavoidably suspended. In the interval a quantity of explosive gas had accumulated in the workings which Higgington discovered and made known to the underlooker, John Howard who entered therein with a naked light, Howard following with a safety lamp in his hand. Then, while trying for gas it ignited at the candle. Howard was killed on the spot but Higgington survived for two days. If all the men were employed in the mine at the same time it is probable that they all would have been killed instead I have to record the deaths of these two men who paid the price for their mistake. It was stated at the inquest that Howard had not attained sufficient experience in the management of collieries to enable him to foresee the danger that confronted him. If that be so I have no facts before me to disprove it. He either voluntarily undertook a serious responsibility for which he was unfitted or those who sent him in must surely have done so in utter ignorance of his inexperience. But these were questions that witnesses were loath to answer and I can only infer from conversations that the investigation was unsatisfactory. I shall however observe that the colliery is a very small one such as an ordinary person might manage with safety, and in addition to Howard another fireman was employed by the owner, and I must give credit to him for at all times showing a desire to provide all things necessary for safety. (Mines Inspectors Report)

01-01-1862
ASHTON Joseph 23 Collier. Fall of roof.

04-01-1862
On Tuesday morning Joseph Ashton the fireman in the Potato Delf one of the rails on the waggon way got displaced. The deceased was in work with a man named Michael Cullin when to repair the tramway which was nine feet across. The roof was not supported by any timber and he knelt down to nail the rail and three cwt of rock and earth fell on him crushing his head. Cullin called for assistance which arrived in a few minutes. He was released alive and taken home where he died at midnight. The inquest was at the Fleece Hotel and thought that the management was not satisfactory as the underlooker and the management. The deceased was aged 23 years and lived in Duke Street. (St. Helens Newspaper)

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.