Victoria Colliery Disasters

Disaster, 14 Jun 1866

The disaster was due to an explosion of firedamp caused by a naked flame.

Until shortly before this disaster, the mine was being worked by Messrs Astley and Moffatt but this partnership was dissolved when Mr Moffatt stepped down and the sole owner was then Mr Astley, the Lord of the Manor.

Roll of the 38 miners who died

Name	Age	Residence
ARMFIELD Joseph	13	Dukinfield
ARMFIELD Robert	16	Dukinfield
ASHTON William	22	Newton
BOOTH Charles	22	Dukinfield
BOOTH William	24	Dukinfield
BRENNAN James	19	Hyde
BUCKLEY John Thomas	10	Dukinfield
CHORLEY William	51	Dukinfield
CLAYTON David	28	Dukinfield
ELLIOTT John	40	Newton
FRANCE Richard	36	Hyde
GARRATT William	44	Dukinfield
GEE John	34	Dukinfield
GREGSON Thomas	18	Newton
HARROTT William	40	Dukinfield
HASLAM James	32	Dukinfield
HILL James	23	Dukinfield
HODSON Samuel	16	Dukinfield
HOOSON Thomas	20	Newton Green
JOHNSON Samuel	22	Hyde
KAY William Ernest	15	Dukinfield
LOMAS John	19	Dukinfield
MARTIN William	26	Dukinfield
McHUGH Patrick	22	Dukinfield
McHUGH Terence	19	Dukinfield
MELLOR William	42	Dukinfield
MERCER James	34	Dukinfield
NOBLE Henry	14	Dukinfield
NORTON Samuel	14	Newton
PHILLIPS George	33	Newton Moor
PICKUP James	55	Dukinfield
QUIN William	22	Ashton-under-Lyne
RIXON John	27	Flowery Field
ROBINSON George	20	Hyde
SHORE John	14	Flowery Field
SMETHURST Thomas	15	Dukinfield
TAYLOR William John	24	Dukinfield
WARREN Luther	13	Dukinfield

Verse composed by J. Burgess of Droylsden

Forth from their homes at early morn were seen These hardy toilers hastening to the mine, Where, far beneath the groves and meadows green, No sunbeam on their gloomy path can shine; Yet cheerful still to earn their bread they go, Though momentous dangers threaten them below. By duty urged, the deep shaft they descend, The task is daily - all are free from fear; Though choke-damp* there has blighted many a friend; They deemed not then the deadly gas was near, With lamp and pick to labour now they bend, Unconscious all how soon their work must end. But ere their labour they had begun The foul air gathers round them thick and fast - It ignites - Explodes! - The fatal work is done! - Death struck them down by one tremendous blast; The loud explosion shook the earth around - All stood aghast who worked above the ground. Entombed beneath, the smothered victims lay, While anxious crowds fast throng the bank above; Mothers, and wives, and children in dismay Rush to scene in search of those they love: Alas! on Earth, their loved ones ne'er must meet - Hope points to Heaven, and shows "The Mercy Heal".

Roll of 10 injured miners
BROOKS John
BULLOCK George
BURTENSHAW Martin
HIDGKINS (HODGKINS or HODKINS?) Edward
PICKUP John
PHILLIPS Joseph
RAMSBOTTOM Samuel
WALKER John
WILD Joseph
WINTERBOTTOM James

Victoria Colliery Disaster of 1848
The disaster of 1848 preceded the larger disaster of 1866 by 18 years. In this explosion seven miners lost their lives and several others were injured. Joseph and William Aspden broke into a pocket of firedamp that was ignited by a naked flame.

At this time Victoria Colliery was owned by Swire & Lees and the underlooker was John Daniel Burton of Newton Wood. An underlooker was an official in charge of a mine, responsible to the undermanager and supervising the firemen. The underground steward and surveyor was Charles Turner. The coroner at the inquest was Mr Hudson.

Roll of the seven miners who died on the 23 Feb 1848

Name	Age	Comments
ASPDEN Joseph	30
ASPDEN William	22
BRADSHAW Richard	26
BROADBENT Levi	48
MAYER James	50	Waggoner
SQUIRES William	36	Probable
WIMPENNY John	57	Probable

Roll of 4 known injured miners
GREEN William
SMITH James
STANSFIELD George
STANSFIELD William