Circumstances of death
On the morning of Tuesday 7th December 1875, miners Henry Jones, 39, and John Gough, 40, were part of a 20-strong team rapidly pushing forward excavation work towards the south end of the tunnel. A three-shift system was in operation, allowing progress to be maintained around the clock.
At around 3.40am, a number of shots were fired, after which the men returned to the working face under the impression that they had all gone off successfully. However, on inspection, Jones and Gough discovered that one of the charges had failed so they set about withdrawing it. During this process it suddenly exploded, killing both men and injuring several of their workmates. Works inspector James Albrighton was quickly in attendance to render assistance. In the most serious condition was John Rowley who suffered a compound fracture of the arm and injuries to the head. He was removed to Halifax Infirmary.
Two days later, an inquest was held at the Olive Branch Inn before J E Hill, the deputy coroner. The first witness was Henry Jones’ widow who stated that her husband had left home in Sunderland four weeks earlier to look for work. John Gough’s remains were identified by Evan Edwards, a miner from Ovenden.
Llewellyn Jones, from Bank Top in Ovenden, stated that he had been working on the new line for four months and, on the night of the accident, was fulfilling the role of Foreman. Also a miner, his shift had begun at 6.00pm the previous evening. He described how, during the day, men would drill and charge holes, ready for those on the night shift to fire. On Monday night, it was understood there were only six to deal with; however, at about 11.00pm, a seventh was located but they could not be certain whether it was charged. They inserted the shaft of a hammer to gauge its depth and found it to be about 18 inches. Although this was sufficient to accept a charge, they could not detect one.
By convention, when a hole was charged, a fuse would be attached to the dynamite cartridge extending 12-18 inches out of the hole. This was the case at the six holes identified as being ready for firing; the other had no such fuse.
After his supper, Llewellyn Jones was working in another part of the tunnel when he heard an explosion and shouting. He attended immediately and found John Gough lying ‘on the road’ [tramway]. He succumbed to his injuries within ten minutes. Henry Jones’ body was discovered shortly after, close to where the seventh hole had been located.
The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death”, but recommended that all shots should be fired by the men who charged them.
Biographical information
The above photo is an AI visualisation.
Henry Jones’ death is recorded as “instant” and a function of a head injury. At the inquest, his widow stated that the couple lived in Sunderland.
The 1871 census records three Henry Jones with a birth year of 1836±2 years living in the North- East. One is a factory worker, another is a coal miner whilst the third is a labourer in an iron works. The latter is the only one who does not appear in the 1881 census. From Wales, this Henry Jones was married to Irish-born Johannah and, in 1871, was living in Stranton, Hartlepool, with their two sons and three daughters.
