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

NameAgeResidenceNameAgeResidence
ARMFIELD Joseph13DukinfieldJOHNSON Samuel22Hyde
ARMFIELD Robert16DukinfieldKAY William Ernest15Dukinfield
ASHTON William22NewtonLOMAS John19 Dukinfield
BOOTH Charles22DukinfieldMARTIN William26 Dukinfield
BOOTH William24DukinfieldMcHUGH Patrick22Dukinfield
BRENNAN James19HydeMcHUGH Terence19Dukinfield
BUCKLEY John Thomas10DukinfieldMELLOR William42Dukinfield
CHORLEY William51DukinfieldMERCER James34Dukinfield
CLAYTON David28DukinfieldNOBLE Henry14Dukinfield
ELLIOTT John40NewtonNORTON Samuel14Newton
FRANCE Richard36HydePHILLIPS George33Newton Moor
GARRATT William44DukinfieldPICKUP James55Dukinfield
GEE John34DukinfieldQUIN William22Ashton-under-Lyne
GREGSON Thomas18NewtonRIXON John27Flowery Field
HARROTT William40DukinfieldROBINSON George20Hyde
HASLAM James32DukinfieldSHORE John14Flowery Field
HILL James23DukinfieldSMETHURST Thomas15Dukinfield
HODSON Samuel16DukinfieldTAYLOR William John24Dukinfield
HOOSON Thomas20Newton GreenWARREN Luther13Dukinfield

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 seven miners who died on the 23 Feb 1848 and of four known injured miners

NameAgeComments
ASPDEN Joseph30
ASPDEN William22
BRADSHAW Richard26
BROADBENT Levi48
MAYER James50Waggoner
SQUIRES William36Probable
WIMPENNY John57Probable
Roll of 4 injured miners
GREEN William
SMITH James
STANSFIELD George
STANSFIELD William