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Full Details

Surname
WEEKS
Forename
Thomas
Day
08
Month
01
Year
1909
Age
37
Occupation
Sinker
Mine/Quarry Name
Dolcoath
Mineral Worked
Tin
Owner
Dolcoath Mine Ltd
Location
Camborne
County
Cornwall
Details of Event
While clearing out loose ground after firing 17 shots in the bottom of the shaft, 190 fathoms from the surface, one of the deceased appears to have struck some unexploded gelignite with his pick. It is thought that the explosive may have been in a socket-hole cut off by another shot, but nothing is known definitely. It appears that sockets are of common occurrence, and occasionally some of the explosive remains unconsumed. It is difficult to avoid this, or even to always ascertain the fact, but greater care could be exercised in fixing and examining the sockets than appears to have been taken in this case. 2 killed.