[Kenni]

First post on here so please go easy

****Wikipedia****
The Pretoria Pit disaster was a mining accident that occurred on 21 December 1910, when there was an underground explosion at the Hulton Bank Colliery No. 3 Pit, known as the Pretoria Pit, in Over Hulton, Westhoughton, then in the historic county of Lancashire, in North West England.

At 7:50am, there was an explosion in the Plodder Mine, which was thought to have been caused by an accumulation of gas from a roof collapse the previous day.

That day 345 workers descended the No 3 pit shaft to work in the Plodder, Yard and Three Quarters mines. Of those, only four survived to be brought to the surface. One died immediately and one next day. The two survivors were Joseph Staveley and William Davenport. In addition one man died in the Arley Mine of No. 4 Pit and one rescuer died in No. 3 pit, giving a total of 344 fatalities. The men who were working the other mines in the pit worked from No.4 shaft were unharmed.

This was the second worst mining accident in England, and the third worst in Britain. Many of the fatalities were from the same family. The worst affected was the Tyldesley family in which Mrs Miriam Tyldesley lost her husband, four sons and two brothers. A relief fund was established for the families and dependents and a total of £145,000 was raised.
****Wikipedia****

I visited this site with my girlfriend - yes, I was quite shocked when she asked to come along - but never again!! Moan moan moan....

I only live a few miles from the site but never been before, it was quite a moving experience as it is a major part of our local history.

More info - http://www.boltonrevisited.org.uk/s-pretoria-pit.html http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Westhought...ria/index.html

Enjoy the pictures.

At the beginning of the trail approx half a mile from the shafts.


Glad I had my wellies on!






















First capped shaft - No 3








Second capped shaft - No 4
















The original steam train which took the bodies of the dead and wounded away from the site on the Bolton to Leigh Railway. It is stored at a local recycling company next to the remains of the railway.

[The-Village-Idiot]

Nice, seen and read lots about this place but never dragged my ass over there .

I'll have to put it on my things to do list.

[andym]

Interesting, didn't realise there was anything left. Thanks for posting

[Kenni]

Thank all, it was a good stroll out.

[Navigator]

Fascinating what's on your doorstep - must take a look over there. Seemed quite bizarre the coal board putting up what looks like a brand new fence around the concrete cap - they mustn't have much faith in it!

[buddah]

[Kenni]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Fascinating what's on your doorstep - must take a look over there. Seemed quite bizarre the coal board putting up what looks like a brand new fence around the concrete cap - they mustn't have much faith in it!

They put up metal fences in the 50's!

See - http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/coll...mages04/53locw

[Kenni]

Originally Posted by buddah

u got that pic of the key yet bud?

[buddah]

Originally Posted by Kenni

u got that pic of the key yet bud?

I cant find it, ive looked. Have another look on that link i sent you it might work now. il keep looking though. it should be on my photo bucket but ive bin through them all.
I think blino on here has got it anyway so as soon as i see him il let you borrow it, il see him this week.

[buddah]

Originally Posted by Kenni

u got that pic of the key yet bud?

Its not on my photobucket its on my mates blino thats why i cant find it

Like i said il try and dig it out and let you borrow it.