‘HE WHO WEEPS’
EXTREME DANGER
Britain was where the
industrial revolution began, but what were working conditions like?
29 November 1850 –
Halifax
Ten killed, nine female
and nine aged 17 or under, and dozens injured as boiler at Halifax 5-storey worsted
mill explodes close to train station
Dramatic rescue scenes
Workers who had truanted
work left relieved
Employers call for
Government inspections of boilers rejected
Factory owner and boiler
worker charged with manslaughter
Both later found not
guilty after counsel for the owner highlights his loss of property and a niece
BRADFORD
OBSERVER – THURSDAY 05 DECEMBER 1850 (note – sub headings have been added to
the original report – ed)
DREADFUL
BOILER EXPLOSION AT HALIFAX. LOSS OF TEN LIVES.
Buildings on Lilly Lane next to Eureka Children's Museum
The
former part was occupied by Messrs. Samuel and John Firth, and the latter by
Mr. Isaac Firth. Until very lately, these several parties (who are brothers)
were in partnership ; but a dissolution having taken place, the mill has been
since appropriated in the manner described. The engine-house was beneath the
southern part of the old mill, and the boilers, of which there were three, were
beneath the new, which was an extension of the old, at the southern end. Thus,
the engine being possessed by Messrs. S. and J. Firth, they supplied their
brother, Mr. I. Firth, with power, although the boilers by which the steam was
generated were directly under that portion of the mill in his occupation. This
mill is five stories high, including the garret.
Explosion
brings down four storey building
About
twenty minutes to three o'clock, the centre boiler, which is of thirty horse
power, suddenly exploded ; upheaving into the air the whole of the material
comprising the four stories above, and then mingling it on the site in one huge
and chaotic pile of rubbish — broken timber and iron, stoned, bricks, and lime!
The boiler itself darted forward, but was happily stopped by a viaduct (which
runs parallel with the mill at this part) of the West Riding Union Railway,
presenting a barrier to its progress, although the violence with which it fell
against the bridge broke the railing, and forced several of the coping stones
from their places.
Thus,
the whole breadth of the mill, to the length of twelve or fifteen yards, was in
a moment scooped out to the roof, and dashed into a heap of ruins: there being
nothing left standing of what is termed the new mill covering the boiler house,
but two or three yards of the southern gable. The effect was as instantaneous
and singular as the catastrophe was awful in its consequences. The workpeople
were plying their looms at the time in the rooms above, and the great
proportion of them were consequently engulphed in the mass of rubbish into
which the materials about them were so suddenly reduced.
The
explosion is said to have made comparatively little noise, although those in
the immediate neighbourhood were startled by a sudden blast, and in a few
moments after, horrified to find that a portion of the mill had fallen in.
Remarkable
escape stories
Many
remarkable stories are told of the hair-breadth escapes of several parties. A
little girl named Ann Swift, with five others, were apprised of the danger by a
rumbling noise, took refuge in the privy in one of the upper rooms, saw a
moment after the floors go down, and were themselves happily rescued from their
position by a ladder. One James Duckworth was working in the garret, with four
other persons. The rooms fell gradually, and he descended (as he himself
stated) as "in a cloud or in "a snow." He fell between some
timbers, and seeing a light overhead, he crept out of the hole, which was so
small that his clothes were tom to rags by his exertions in doing so. His
rescue was aided by Mr. S. Firth and two other persons.
Huge
crowd at scene
The
alarm created by the accident was of course very great, and in a very short
time an immense crowd of persons had assembled in the immediate neighbourhood.
John Crossley, Esq., Mayor, and John Waterhouse, Esq., with several of the
borough magistrates, were soon present, aiding by their directions and counsel
the operations for the rescue of those who might be still living beneath the
ruins, and the bodies of those who were dead.
Police,
fire brigade and infantry arrive
Mr.
Spiers, superintendent of the police, arrived with a large posse of constables.
The fire brigade, with one of the engines, was also on the spot and rendered
valuable aid, not only in extricating the sufferers, but in keeping down the
burning of the fallen materials. Captain Fyffe also marched a detachment of the
infantry from the barracks to the scene of devastation. The duty of one party
of these soldiers was to preserve order, and of another party, who were in
fatigue dress, to assist in removing the rubbish and fallen materials, in order
to recover the unhappy creatures who were engulphed beneath. Their labours in
this department were characterized by zeal, energy, and bravery.
The
operations were materially aided by Mr. Matthias, resident engineer of the West
Riding Union Railway, directing the digging in the ruins. And among the anxious
and "laborious throng which covered the nuns, none were more active than
Mr. James Rawson (detective) and Mr. Sergeant Shepley. The railway and every
available spot were crowded with spectators— men" and women of every rank
in life; and the brave band of men who were nobly engaged in extricating the
dead and the wounded were frequently cheered in their course by the plaudits of
the crowd.
Medical
men
A
number of medical gentlemen, among whom were Messrs. Bramley, Tucker, Harrison,
and Stansfield, were present, rendering their assistance to the survivors.
Omnibuses and cabs were constantly in the mill-yard in readiness to convey the
wounded to the Infirmary.
Parents
of the missing present
The
friends and parents of those who were missing crowded the mill-yard. Their
frantic cries excited the pity and sympathy of the spectators. But the stifled
moans, and in some instances/the piercing cries of some of the children beneath
the ruins, were pitiable beyond description, and melted many of the spectators
to tears.
Fortunately,
there were only some thirty or thirty-three persons in the rooms above the
boiler-house at the time of the explosion. As will be seen hereafter, an
apprehension of danger felt for some days previously had caused the hands to
diminish, and this will account for the number being so few.
The
greater proportion of those who had disappeared in the ruins had been recovered
at five o'clock. As evening approached the exertions of soldiers and civilians
were redoubled to clear away the debris, if possible; but owing to the vast
mass of iron and wood work which had to be removed, this was found to be
impossible.
Their
zeal did not flag, though darkness appeared. Naptha lamps and flambeaux lighted
up the scene; and the humane work still went forward. About half-past five a
voice was distinctly heard beneath one part of the ruins. It was supposed to
come from a person not more than two or three yards below the rubbish, although
it was impossible for a long time to ascertain the exact spot whence this sound
proceeded The interest now excited for the recovery of the poor creature was
intense.
Brave
The
brave and earnest fellows engaged in this task pushed their labours beyond this
point with renewed diligence. They were directed by the mayor, by whose side
was Mr. J. H. Mitchell, with an immense flambeau in his hand, lending signal
service in the noble effort.
Faint
cries
Every
now and again the poor creature in the living tomb was heard to utter a sound.
These faint cries produced a buzz of commiseration, which was immediately
suppressed by the loud voice of Mr. Mitchell proclaiming ‘silence’ and in an
instant the vast concourse of spectators were silent. The weak voice of a child
was now distinctly hear. The men now wrought with ten-fold zeal. The deeply-
affected crowd poured forth blessings upon their labours. At length the
entombed sufferer was enabled to hold a conversation who were seeking its
deliverance, thereby directing their efforts with greater certainty.
Dramatic
rescue
It
is difficult to describe the effects of that sad and terrible scene. Men and women were affected to tears. Hope had
been long deferred, and still as they looked on, with ‘bated breath’ their
hearts seem filled with anguish lest the object of their intense anxiety and
interest might either still evade their search or perish in the effort for its
rescue. Happily, the noble exertions of the men were at last crowned with
success. The joy of the crowd knew no bounds. About eight o’clock, the sufferer
– a little girl – was drawn forth alive. Her exclamation of “Oh, let me go
home!” and the sight of her living form, incited the crowd to several rounds of
cheering for her deliverers.
The
poor child was Rachael Jones, residing at Bath Parade. She had been enclosed
for some five hours beneath an immense weight of material. Several medical men
were ready to render assistance, but fortunately she was comparatively little
injured. A large stone had fallen across her chest, but as this stone was supported
on either side, the poor child had been happily enabled to breathe. She was
removed to the Infirmary, and is now doing well.
Shortly
after this the mill took fire- a casualty which had been apprehended; but by
the aid of two engines, which were there in readiness, it was quickly subdued.
The search was prosecuted through the night till three in the morning, relays
of labourers, of firemen, of soldiers and of police having been brought to the
scene. The Mayor retired at 12 o’clock; his place being supplied by S.
Waterhouse, Esq. About one o'clock on Saturday morning, the bodies of two
females were found. They were dug from a mass of rubbish in which they must
have met instant death. Only one body was known to be in the ruins at three
o'clock and it was supposed to be imbedded in the north-west corner of the
mill. On the labour being renewed, some hours after, the last body was found
about eleven o'clock in the forenoon.
‘He
who weeps’
Dead
and injured – 9 female and one male, named Job, meaning, appropriately, ‘he who
weeps’
The
following (ten in number) are those who were taken out.
Dead—
Emma Mitchel, aged 15, of Lilly Lane; Martha Barker, aged 16, of Bath Parade;
Job Swift, aged 17, of Hatters Fold; Sarah Ann Robertshaw. aged 11, of Thomas
Street; Jane Murgatroyd, aged 14, of Ovenden; Wm. Pepper aged 8 or 9, of Dam
Head Southowram; Sarah Ann Riddeal, aged 17, Caddy Field, Harriet Sutcliffe, a
married woman, of Haley Hill; Eliza Priestley, aged 12, of Bath Parade; and
Elizabeth Gledhill, alias Stott, aged 11. All were more or less disfigured and
mangled. Swift and Pepper could not be recognised except by their clothes. The
head of one was crushed to pieces, and that of the other severed from his body.
Seven of the bodies were removed to the Blucher, and three of them to the
Infirmary.
The
following seven, who were more or less hurt and scalded, were removed to the
infirmary, as Wounded. — Susan Smith, aged 45, severely scalded. Mary Mitchell,
aged 14; severely bruised and scalded. Hannah Mitchell, aged 10; Hannah Brown,
aged 13; Amelia Sunderland, aged 12; Mary Ann Carter, aged 14; and Rachel
Jones.
Amongst a large number who received injuries
but were removed to their own homes were — James Duckworth, the first man
rescued; Martha Hirst, aged 20, Thomas Street; Jeremiah Swift, overlooker; Ruth
Ann Lee, of Waterside, who received a fracture of the ankle ; Charles Walker,
who, although a carter, was sustaining the part of engine tenter, and who had
both his ankles fractured, with other injuries; and Mr. G. C. Firth (a son of
one of the partners) who received a fracture on the head.
The
effect produced by this terrible calamity was appalling in the highest degree,
especially during the night. The vast crowd of spectators whose faces, so
expressive of fear and anxiety, were upturned within the dim and flickering
shade on either side — the activity, beneath the blaze of torches, of countless
stalwart arms engaged in the manly endeavour to rescue the dying and the
suffering — the cries and moans of the afflicted friends and parents as one
vehicle after another started oft', beneath torchlight, with its load of the
dead or wounded — produced a scene inexpressibly solemn and affecting.
Unfit
machinery?
Workers
had absented themselves from their work on Friday afternoon
Inquest
to follow
The
inquest will alone enable the public to learn the precise cause of this
dreadful disaster. "Rumour with her thousand tongues," is busy, and
attributes the accident to neglect and carelessness on the part of the
employers. It is said that there were some defects either in the boiler or the
engine, and that this fact becoming known, many of the hands were filled with
apprehension of an accident. This feeling was so prevalent that many were
absent from their work on Friday afternoon, and at present rejoice in the
providential escape they have had. Moreover, in consequence of Joseph
Helliwell, the usual engine tenter, being unwell, the boiler had, since the
previous Friday, been under the care of Charles Walker, a cart driver in the
service of the firm. So that owing to imperfect machinery and the imperfect
knowledge of the person who had to deal with it, this catastrophe was brought
about. Large crowds have visited the scene daily ever since; and the accident
has been the theme of every conversation.
On
Sunday, the streets of Halifax were thronged with streams of persons who came
from other towns and the surrounding neighbourhood. The trains from Bradford
and from the valley of the Calder were densely crowded, and we were told at the
Halifax police office on Monday that thousands of persons came from Bradford on
that day. The scene of the catastrophe was described as being " like
Halifax fair" — a season whereat there is always a tremendous gathering of
" country cousins!"
Jury
sworn in
A
very respectable jury was empanelled on Saturday last, before G. Dyson, Esq.,
at the Town Hall. They proceeded to inspect the bodies lying at the Infirmary
and at the Blucher public house, in order to their being interred without delay
; and after receiving the depositions of Charles Walker, of Wesley Street.
Lilly lane, they adjourned to ten o'clock on Wednesday morning.
Collection
A
collection amounting to £16 odd, was made at Square Chapel, on Sunday evening,
to relieve those families thrown into difficulty by the calamity. No fewer than
seven amongst the dead and suffering attended at the schools at Square Chapel.
The chief constable received a cheque from Messrs. Firth for £20 for the
purpose of aiding the internment of the dead. The Mayor summoned the borough
magistrates together in order to institute a public subscription.
WHAT
FOLLOWED?
MANSLAUGHTER
CHARGES
There
followed a prolonged coroner’s enquiry conducted by ‘a jury of our
fellow-townsmen’ who ‘returned a verdict of manslaughter against one of the
owners and the engine-tenter’ but as ‘to the capability of these parties, it
behoves us to express no opinion, until the accused shall have a full trial on
the charge, before another jury, under the direction of one of the criminal
charges of the land.’
The
newspaper had previously ventured, during the progress of the inquest, to
declare that ‘in no case is a jury warranted in returning a verdict of
‘accidental death’.
‘It
is now necessary … for a complete investigation to take place in such cases
before the jury determines upon a verdict.’
The
paper contended that by committing the pair to trial it had taught the lesson
of ‘personal responsibility to all engine-tenters and millowners’ and that over
the ‘Christmas holidays there will be such an overhauling of boilers as never
before in Yorkshire and Lancashire. This is good.’
(All
quotes above are from Halifax Guardian December 21, 1850)
Employers
call for Government inspections of boilers
The
paper had seven days earlier ran an article GOVERNMENT PROTECTION TO THE
FACTORY WORKER and reported on a meeting of the leading millowners of the
district in Halifax town hall to ‘consider what steps should be taken to ensure
greater safety in the management of boilers.’ It was, of course, for the ten
killed on 29 November 1850 a case of acting to close the stable door after the
horse has bolted. But, a chance to prevent similar deaths in the future was
surely best for all? Indeed, ‘this meeting unanimously adopted a memorial to
Her Majesty’s Government praying for the institution of a Government inspection
of boilers. It was no more than we expected from the respectable millowners.’
The
paper reported on how: ‘The Government inspection of Factories (which were
first appointed by King William IV in 1833 – ed) has worked too well in this
district to leave a chance for the retention in many minds of the older
jealously of legislative interference. ‘
Yet
the proposal had already been partially dismissed when the coroner Mr Roberts
during the Inquest raised the issue prominently before the jury.
Because
in giving evidence and in his report Mr Fairbairn, described as ‘the eminent
civil engineer and machinist from Manchester,’ in the North British Daily
Mail, had according to the Halifax Guardian ‘insinuated an objection to
such a legislation because Government did not always make proper appointments.’
To which the paper responded by stating ‘This is not an objection to the thing,
but to the abuse.’
The
case against Samuel Firth, 53, and Joseph Helliwell, 35 for the manslaughter of
Sarah Ann Riddell, at Halifax, on the 29th of November 1850 was held
at the Yorkshire Spring Assizes Crown Court before Mr. Baron Platt on Monday,
March 17. It was to last ten hours and during which time there had been another
boiler explosion in a mill in Stockport and which according to the Huddersfield
Gazette of Saturday, March 22, 1851 had resulted
in ‘the lives of, at least, 13 individuals being sacrificed.’
Death
had been caused it was contended ‘by the prisoners… not by wilfully or
malicious means, not that they had any intention of doing injury to the
deceased but by want of due caution and care, or gross mismanagement of the
duties of their responsibilities.’
Halliwell
was the engine tenter responsible for overseeing the boiler. Following a period
of illness he had returned to work on the Wednesday and was still working on
the (Fri) day of the tragedy. Samuel Firth shared ownership of the mill with
his brothers John and Isaac and had responsibility for the safe working of the
boiler. He had during the absence of Halliwell employed Isaac Walker, a carter,
who according to the Huddersfield Gazette, ‘ knew nothing whatsoever
about engines.’’
Production
regularly halted due to defective boiler in lead up to explosion
The
paper reported on the operation of the boiler in the week leading up to the
explosion. On the Friday of the accident, production was stopped on a number of
occasions as the speed of the machinery was not quick enough to drive the
shuttles. Production had been resumed at 2pm. ‘The engine at first worked
regularly, then it went beyond the usual speed, and about 3 o’clock the boiler
burst.’ Several scientific people were asked as to the causes of the
catastrophe. There were widely different views. The prosecution alleged the
accused had failed to ensure there was sufficient water in the boiler. It had
been found that the steam gauge was out of order at the time of the explosion.
It was reported that one of those killed was Firth’s niece.
Loss
of property and the death of a relative employed as argument for a not guilty
verdict
It
was this that was employed his counsel Mr Hardy to defend Firth on grounds that
‘having lost his property and some of
his relatives by this terrible disaster, he was not the man who should be
charged with carelessness or neglect.’ Firth it was contended had also employed
for six years a competent man in Halliwell.
The
paper reported that Hardy further ‘called on the jury not to brand his client
with having been the cause of the deaths of twelve persons, including his own
relatives, as it would bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to his grave.’
In
defending Halliwell, Mr. Overend, contended that he had left his sick bed to
‘attend to his duties’ and that the gauge may have gone wrong during his time
away from work.
Sticking
together - factory owner’s character witnesses include three magistrates
Character
witnesses were called for Halliwell whilst Mr. Hardy called on three West
Riding magistrates in Mr. Barr, Mr Appleyard and Mr. Abbott to give references
for Firth.
Before
the jury retired the Judge Mr, Baron Platt summed up by stating that supposing
Halliwell was guilty it did not follow that Firth was also. ‘For though civilly
the master was responsible for the deeds of his servant, yet criminally he was
not.’
Not
guilty verdict
The
paper reported: ‘The Jury immediately found the prisoners NOT GUILTY’ and when
they were then charged with the manslaughter of Jane Murgatroyd they were
discharged when no evidence was offered.
No
one it seems was to blame for the deaths of ten innocents in Lily Lane, Halifax
on Friday 29 November, 1850.
Then and now?
Clearly,
the tragedy took place in an unregulated industry and the loss of life was
avoidable. Some of the workers had even been prepared to forego wages and had
absented themselves earlier in the day from work for fear of a
catastrophe. They were the lucky ones.
The
workers at Firth’s were not in a trade union. Improvements in health and safety have been argued
for by trade unions ever since workers, especially after the success of the London
Dockers Strike in 1889, began combining at work. https://markwrite.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/the-great-dock-strike-of-1889-web-booklet11-23272.pdf
Trade
Union organised workplaces have better safer records than those that are not.
Every year, unions train 10,000 workers in health and safety. Local safety
representatives, elected by trade union shops, deal with issues ranging from
stress to hazardous substances, representing their fellow workers’ health and
safety interests to management.
Victorian
employers and politicians, many of whom were the same, had a laissez faire
approach to their employment practices and took no responsibility for human
life as they sought constantly to raise production levels and record increasing
profits.
Today,
children in the UK are not permitted to work full-time until they reach the
school leaving age of 16 years. But there are currently 160 million children
working worldwide of which 112 million are working on small farms on
plantations, often in hazardous conditions. British companies are involved.
See
my article - British cocoa companies continue exploiting trafficked
children
https://writemark.blogspot.com/2023/10/british-cocoa-companies-continue.html
There
have been huge improvements in health and safety in the last 175 years but
deaths and injuries remain common with over 120 people annually killed at work.
(a figure that does not include workplace deaths from road traffic accidents)
whilst over 4,000 people, mainly workers, will die in 2025 as a result of
having worked with asbestos, often as long ago as 40 years. Many deaths that
were the result of a lack of protective equipment that led to the contracting
of COVID from work were not recorded.
Watch
Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLyeMYnpVjo
Some
employers in 1850 called for the Government to take responsibility for
inspecting boilers. This was rejected and there were subsequent explosions that
killed workers in Halifax over the following 20 years.
It
was not until 1974 that the focus on reducing workplace death and injury saw
the passing of the Health and Safety at Work Act, resulting in regular
inspections of workplaces by HSE inspectors. However, in recent decades the
number of inspectors has fallen and most workplaces will never be visited by
one. Read https://writemark.blogspot.com/search?q=COVID+deaths
Corporate
Manslaughter Act 2007
It
was not to be until 2008 that Corporate Manslaughter charges
could be employed against organisations for serious failings that result in
death. Yet there have been under 40 convictions up until 2021 under the law. Also
in the case of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy it will be, at least, ten years
after the event, before the Metropolitan Police will complete their
investigations into the deaths of 72 persons. Any charges, never mind
convictions against the government, building companies and
manufacturers remain a long way away. At least in 1850 the investigation
process was swift.
Mark
Metcalf, Leeds and West Yorkshire NUJ delegate to Halifax Trades Union Council.
29
November 2025
Stop Press
– Thanks to a donation from UNITE members at Marshalls in Halifax a printed
version of this work will be published in 2026 and a public event will be held
to commemorate all those killed on 20 November 1850.
Meanwhile,
interested in working class history? Please
view BREAD NOT BAYONETS – HALIFAX 1842
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0UxMadnIEA
Sunderland’s
Peterloo: Remembering the North Sands 1825 massacre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J_VXf_IIVs&t=101s
Halifax
Chartist hero Benjamin Rushton Remembered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp4mth4LfwY&t=5s
In 1850 seven children aged 16 and under were killed on Lilly Lane which is right next to the National Children's Museum. Should the museum remember them?
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