The Duckinfield Colliery Explosion-Termination of the Inquest.
The inquest on the bodies of the 38 persons who were killed by the explosion in the Victoria Pit, Dunkinfield, on June 14th, was resumed on Thursday. Mr. Wynne the Government Inspector of the district was again present; Mr. Lord watched the proceedings on behalf of the friends of the deceased and Mr. Cobbett represented Mr. Astley, the owner of the colliery. Several of the colliers were examined, who gave evidence as to the known bad state of the pit, and the existence of sad mismanagement. Indeed the “accident” appears to have arisen from a want of attention on the part of those who were engaged to perform the usual duties appertaining to their appointments...
The inquest will afford a fearful lesson to Mr. Astley and other gentlemen, who will learn that property has its responsibilities as well as its advantages, and that, owning a colliery, they have more t think of than merely deriving an revenue therefrom.
Mr. Wynne, the Government Inspector, has fully done his duty; he is well aware of the defects of management at the Dunkinfiels Colliery, and there is no doubt the matter will form a prominent topic in his next report. A frightful responsibility rests somewhere and characters necessitates that much of their conduct requires a great deal of explanation before competence of similar positions are established. Mr. Wynne in reply to Mr. Cobbett, said-“This was called a ‘fiery mine’ but I do not consider such mines dangerous if properly managed. More die by falls of roof in collieries than by explosions. Last year there were 168 persons killed by explosions and 381 by falls...
There was bit more along these lines and then:
The coroner addressed the jury in a very impartial manner, when, after an hour’s deliberation, they found in effect, a verdict of ‘‘Accidental Death,’’ but further wished to state their opinion that the general management was characterized by great negligence and incompetence, but not sufficiently gross to fix the manager with criminal responsibility.