Mining Regions in England
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Serviette sold to raise money for the victims of the Pretoria Pit explosion, 1910
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
The north-western coalfield was the scene of many mining disasters. The worst post-war mining disaster in England occurred at William pit, Whitehaven in the Cumbrian coalfield in August 1947. One hundred and four miners were killed following an explosion of firedamp and coal dust during shotfiring.
The second largest mining disaster in England occured in December 1910 at Pretoria colliery in the Lancashire coalfield. An explosion of firedamp resulted in the deaths of three hundred and forty four miners.
The second largest mining disaster in England occured in December 1910 at Pretoria colliery in the Lancashire coalfield. An explosion of firedamp resulted in the deaths of three hundred and forty four miners.