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Full Details

Surname
THOMAS
Forename
Gabriel Jnr
Day
18
Month
02
Year
1914
Age
20
Occupation
Assistant Filler
Mine/Quarry Name
Porthledden
Mineral Worked
Tin
Owner
Francis Oats
Location
St Just
County
Cornwall
Details of Event
In order to oil the carrier pulleys of an aerial ropeway inclined at an angle of about 1 in 5 he, contrary to instructions, got into a bucket which was suspended from the carrier. A blacksmith, who had formerly had charge of the machinery, also got on the bucket and stood on the edge of it. About two minutes later the carrier bucket suddenly commenced to descend along the ropeway. The blacksmith jumped off and dropped into a bin on the side of the cliff, and sustained internal injury. The deceased remained in the bucket and was carried a distance of about 200 yards to the foot of the ropeway, lashed against a rock to which the fixed rope was anchored and killed. Just prior to the accident, the blacksmith had operated the hauling machinery to bring the carrier pulleys into a position when they could be got at. Apparently when he left the machinery he failed to properly apply the brake to the hauling drum. The pulleys, it should be said, could easily have been oiled by using a ladder which was provided for the purpose. The ropeway was not used for raising or lowering persons, and it was stated that the agent had given definite instructions that no person must enter the bucket for any purpose whatever. The blacksmith was aware of this.