Dick Morris

Very detailed description of experience of the Stanley pit disaster - waiting for survivors to come up, and the crowded funeral, people peering at the bodies. Detail, the first shift down the pit, terrified. Other early jobs in the pit seen as part of acclimatisation process. Scared when first heard a shot fired. 1911, an accident in the pit, had to bend stretcher to fit it into the cage, man later died. Introduction of first mechanical cutters. 1926 general strike, people putting bricks in fire to make it smaller as didn’t have the coals. Dangerous digging holes for coal, digging people out, criticism of doctor who didn’t try to revive a boy. Furnaces for making coke, crushers to make coal dust to blow into furnaces.

Location: Pelton Fell
County: Durham
AUD1977-143

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