Astley Deep Pit Disaster

Disaster, 14 Apr 1874

On the afternoon of the 14 Apr 1874, 152 miners started their night shift at 3:00pm and the underground explosion occurred at about 8:00pm in Half Moon Tunnel, which was accessed via Engine Brow and the 600 yard Cannel Tunnel where 61 men and boys were working.

At about 7:00pm it was noticed that there were slight falls of dirt from the tunnel roof. Four miners were immediately detailed to make the roof safe, helped by a steam engine and tenter. It is likely that this was a portable steam engine and it may be that it was used to pump water away that was entering the tunnel.

For better illumination, this repair work was conducted with open flame lamps and at about 7:50pm the roof began to groan and creak. Before long the pit props, that were shoring up the roof, collapsed. This allowed pockets of gas above the roof to escape into the tunnel and when this came into contact with the open flame lamps and the steam engine firebox there was a huge explosion. This set alight the surrounding timber lining of the tunnel and then spread along it, burning a stable that was in its path.

The ensuing fire burned for another two days. It was still raging 24 hours later and it was not until 2:00am on Friday that it was finally extinguished. Only seven miners managed to escape from the vicinity of the explosion but a further 91 men and boys, working in other areas, were affected by it, many being badly injured in making their escape.

The official explanation of the disaster was an explosion of fire damp, ignited by fire (an open flame) in old workings, caused by a fall of ground (roof) and inadequate ventilation.

Roll of the 54 miners who died

Roll of 18 miners who were injured or entombed

Roll of rescuers who worked in short shifts because of the dangerous working conditions
The names of only a few of these are known

Blue plaque
Woodbury Crescent, Dukinfield.

TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH
THE ASTLEY DEEP PIT DISASTER 14th April 1874
This plaque is located over the shaft where an appalling gas explosion occurred in Astley's Deep Pit, once reputed to be the world's deepest coal mine.
A previously burnt tunnel was temporarily being repaired when the roof collapsed and pockets of unknown gas were ignited by open flame lamps.
The explosion killed 54 men and boys, making this Tameside's worst mining disaster.
Unveiled by The Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Brian Wild JP on 10th May 2001.