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Full Details

Surname
BOOTIMAN
Forename
Lionel
Day
18
Month
04
Year
1906
Age
50
Occupation
Foreman
Mine/Quarry Name
Edlingham Quarry
Mineral Worked
Sandstone
Owner
Isaac Bewley
Location
Edlingham
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
A 10-ton steam crane, made by Messrs Anderson & Co. of Carnoustie, was placed on the edge of the quarry in a somewhat confined space where stones were dressed. The craneman had heaved up the jib, which was 51 feet long, and was winding up the burden rope when he heard a loud crack and something fell. He shouted to warn deceased and a labourer, but the jib fell and killed deceased instantly and broke the labourer’s leg. In falling the jib caught the hook at the end of the burden rope, but broke a bolt and was not held. After the accident it was found that six of the 16 teeth on the ratchet-wheel on the jib drum shaft were broken, and the cast iron bracket attaching the crane engine to the mast was fractured at a point above the jib drum, where there was a flaw, having dimensions of 1.5 inches by 0.75 inch in the casting. Whether a tooth in the rachet wheel or the bracket broke first could not be determined.