Chalked message at Wellington Pit
The Wellington Pit explosion and fire at Whitehaven on 11th May 1910 was one of Britain's worst mining disasters in which 136 men and boys lost their lives. After a rescue operation when it was felt that no-one could have survived, the mine was sealed off to starve the fire of oxygen. Several months later it was re-opened and chalked messages were found indicating that for a time there were some still alive. This message was found written on an old wooden sleeper: all's well in this airway at ? o'clock, 35 men and boys. J Moore
Picture No
10438813
Media ID
46672216
Size
8559px x 3652px
(2.8MB)
Credit
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Source
Photograph in the Illustrated London News, 8th October 1910
Date
October 1910
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Chalk Chalked Colliery Disasters Message Messages Mines Wellington Whitehaven
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