The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

Died by accidently drowning in the Iron Ore Pit.

A Fatal Accident at the Park Iron Ore Mines, Near Dalton (Messrs. Schneider, Hannay and Co.)
A fatal accident occurred on Tuesday, occasioned by the breaking in of a pond, formed by the sinking of the ground above some old workings, which are common at all the mines in this district, the water in which had been greatly increased by the late rains. At the time the accident happened, there were twelve men in the drifts, one of whom came to the surface, the others only to the foot of one of the shafts, alarmed by premonitory symptoms of danger. The latter, under the impression it was a false alarm, unfortunately returned to their work, and shortly after, the water rushed in, bringing with it a large quantity of sand. With great difficulty, six out of the eleven managed to escape, leaving five of their companions in the drift. After several hours hard labour, two were extricated, one — Myles Walmsley jnr., scarcely hurt, but the other, Thomas Stainton, was in a very exhausted state, both having been in the water during the whole time. He is, however, doing well. Walmsley, we regret to add, states that the other three men perished soon after the inundation, as he crossed over their bodies several times. The pumps having been choked with gravel and sand, it became necessary to take out the pumps and clear them, before the drifts could be emptied. The names of the three men killed are Nicholas Long, Thomas Bowman, and John Duke, who have left large families, numbering together eighteen children. The Captain of the mines, Mr. R. Hosking, was absent at the Mousel mines when the accident happened. Mr. Hall, surgeon, of Dalton, and his assistant Mr. Mowatt, were promptly on the spot, to render their professional aid. Mr. Hannay, who resides in Ulverston, started for the mines immediately on receiving the intelligence. The Rev. Mr. Morgan, vicar of Dalton, and other gentlemen, were also present to lend a helping hand. We understand great praise is due to two miners, named William Phillips and Lawrence Brody, (though we believe there was not one present who was not most anxious to be the first in the good work,) who at the risk of their lives, entered the drift, up to their necks in water, to extricate their fellow workmen. There were two or three other men at the bottom of the shaft at the time. A singular incident may be mentioned, which probably led to the saving of the lives of the two men, Walmsley and Stainton. When part of the pumps was being lowered, the chain broke, letting it fall to the bottom of the shaft, causing a great noise, which was heard by Myles Walmsley jnr. The man who descended to re-fix the chain, heard their voices calling to him for help, and, as we have before stated, after several hours labour, they were extricated. The following are the names of the other men saved: — John Preston (the man who came up the shaft, and did not return), Myles Walmsley Snr., James Blendall, Robert Ormandy, William Blackburn, James High, and John Fenton. It was not until late last evening, that the bodies of the unfortunate men were found. The inquest, we understand, will be held today (Thursday.)

Newspaper transcript kindly provided by
West Cumbria Mines Research.