New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
RUSSELL
Forename
James
Day
24
Month
09
Year
1911
Age
39
Occupation
Chargeman
Mine/Quarry Name
Birch Coppice
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Morris & Shaw
Location
Dordon
County
Warwickshire
Details of Event
This accident occurred in a well, 6ft. in diameter and 77 yards deep, which had been sunk to obtain water for steam raising purposes. A sinker descended in a small bowk to pail out some water. He unhooked the chains and rapped away the empty rope to bring down a second bowk. When lowering this, the engineman mistook one of three marks on the rope and lowered the bowk too far before stopping for a signal to land it. The bowk struck the sinker on the head, causing slight concussion. He shouted up to the banksman, and the deceased, who was chargeman, descended to bring him up. As they commenced to ascend, the bowk began to swing owing to its having been improperly steadied, or to the sinker having been dazed and restless. When it was a few yards up, the chargeman felt out, and falling upon the side hook of the bowk, which stood in the bottom of the well, received a lacerated wound in the thigh and some scalp wounds. He succumbed to his injuries 10 days later. The engine was a small haulage one fitted up temporarily for winding, and had no indicator. The accident was due to this and to some extent to want of caution on the part of the engineman.