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The Page Bank Colliery-pit on Fire, 1858. Creator: Unknown
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The Page Bank Colliery-pit on Fire, 1858. Creator: Unknown
The Page Bank Colliery-pit on Fire, 1858. Industrial accident near Durham. The fire is supposed to have originated by a spark from the furnace failing into the shaft...An attempt was made by two of the overmen to descend, but...they were driven back by a sulphurous vapour rising. Of the eighty-six men and boys who were in the pit seventy-six were...drawn up alive...when the last of the living had been brought to daylight, a fearful signal was observed to be given by Mackay, the staithesman. It was well understoood, and the hopes which had up to that time been kept alive in the relatives of those still in the pit that those dear to them might be saved were destroyed...The women cluster to the pit-mouth, and the bodies arrive. The first is that of a fine boy, about thirteen years of age. There is a beautiful expression upon his countenance, and nothing to indicate that his young life had been taken by a violent death...The child is recognised by its parents and sisters, and cries of agony rend the air...Each time the rope ascends it brings with it two corpses...They are placed on stretchers, and taken to the crowd to be recognised and claimed, and the repetition of the same frightful scene produces the deepest feeling of awe and horror'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858
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Media ID 36376776
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Accident Burning Child Labour Coal Industry Coal Mine Coal Mining Coalmine Colliery Deaths Employment Fatality Incident Industrial Accident On Fire Relative Relatives Rescue Rescue Operation Rescuer Rescuers Winding Gear Fatalities
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Page Bank Colliery-pit on Fire, 1858" is a haunting image captured by an unknown photographer that documents the aftermath of a tragic industrial accident near Durham, England. The photograph shows a crowd of women gathered around the pit's entrance, their faces etched with worry and despair, as the bodies of the miners who perished in the fire are brought to the surface. The disaster is believed to have begun when a spark from the furnace fell into the shaft, igniting the coal and methane gas. Two overmen attempted to descend into the pit to rescue those trapped below, but were driven back by a noxious sulphurous vapour. Of the eighty-six men and boys who were in the pit at the time, seventy-six were eventually brought to the surface alive. However, hope for the remaining eighteen was soon extinguished when a signal was given by Mackay, the staithesman, indicating that no more survivors would be found. The women in the photograph can be seen clinging to the pit-mouth, their eyes fixed on the rope as it ascends, bringing with it the lifeless bodies of their loved ones. The first body to be recovered is that of a young boy, around thirteen years old, who is recognized by his parents and sisters. The scene repeats itself, with each ascent of the rope bringing two corpses, and the repetition of this frightful scene produces a deep feeling of awe and horror among the onlookers. This poignant image serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and sacrifices made by the working class in the coal mining industry during the 19th century. The identities of the individuals in the photograph remain unknown, but their stories continue to resonate with us, highlighting the human cost of industrial progress.
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