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Full Details

Surname
McLEAN
Forename
Joseph Foster
Day
15
Month
07
Year
1905
Age
29
Occupation
Deputy
Mine/Quarry Name
Bebside
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Bebside Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Bebside
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
An extension of a main and tail rope engine plane had been completed in the Bensham seam, and a trial set of empty tubs was being taken inbye but had not reached the new road when the tail rope, instead of running on one of the new hanging sheaves on the extension, was running between the sheave and one of the iron hangers, and a socket on the rope unable to pass caused extra strain which displaced a tail rope sheave at the beginning of the extension, and the sheave and framework pulled forward, drew props under iron girders supporting the roof, and a heavy fall of stone took place and caught deceased men who had stepped aside near the sheave while the trial set was being run. The two hangers of the tail rope sheave where the socket caught were bent outbye. The tail rope either at the time of the fall or immediately afterwards drew at another socket further outbye. The displaced sheave was 4 feet diameter and was placed with its axis vertical between a wooden framework next the floor; the framework consisted of two pieces of timber 7 feet 8 inches long 5½ inches high and 11 inches deep fixed 18 inches apart. One end of this framework was let into a pack wall and a prop was driven up between it and the roof next the pack, the other end of the framework was bolted to an upright stay about 1 foot square set in front of it and let a few inches into the roof and floor. The tail rope sheave where the socket caught was 4¼ inches wide and the space between the hangers was 4¾ inches. The two deputies were killed on the spot; the fitter was got out alive but he died the same day. The Local Inspectors were present at the inquest. One of them being a relative of the deceased man, Henry Grand, his evidence was not taken; the other stated he had examined the place and came to the conclusion it had been a pure accident. It appeared that the Local Inspectors had examined the mine on the Thursday before the accident, and had passed the new sheave but had not noticed it particularly. 3 killed. Mines Inspector's Report (Cd 2910)