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SNAEFELL MINE

1897 Disaster
By 1897 the Snaefell mine had become increasingly difficult to work as a consequence of insufficient ventilation (the lowest depth of the mine shaft by this time being at 171 fathoms (1,026 ft (312.7 m)).

During early May 1897, dynamite had been used to enable the extension of the workings in the lowest part in order for the working levels to be extended and an inspection of the mine had been undertaken by the Government Inspector, along with the Mine Captain on Friday 7 May, the purpose of which was to ensure there was sufficient ventilation, with their findings being satisfactory.

Miners had finished their shift on Saturday 8 May, and the mine was closed the following day, Sunday 9 May.Due to inadequate safety measures a stray candle had been allowed to continue burning which in turn set fire to a nearby pit prop consequently starting a fire in the shaft.

On Monday 10 May at 06:00hrs, 40 miners reported for the early shift, 34 of which were required for the shift, and began descending into the mine using the ladders which were lashed against the side of the shaft. As the miners descended into the lower parts of the shaft they encountered the poisonous fumes which resulted in immediate breathing difficulties.At once the miners began to vacate the shaft, those at the top were able to make their way out without too much difficulty, however others arrived at the surface in a state of near collapse and it soon became apparent that a large number of the miners who'd made the descent were unable to return. A rescue party was quickly assembled, however, they were beaten back by the noxious air.

Messengers were despatched for help, and around 40 miners from the Great Laxey Mine arrived together with a doctor but it proved to be several hours before it was deemed safe to even enter the mine. In time it was judged safe to re-enter and the first body of one of the miners, James Kneale, was discovered draped on the ladder.[By piercing the compressed air pipe it was possible to revive him sufficiently in order to be supported up the shaft.Two other miners were then rescued alive, however the second being in a critical condition. Diving dresses arrived from Douglas but were found to be of no service, however the pumps and hoses proved to be of significant help enabling the rescuers to take a supply of clean air with them into the shaft.Led by Captain Kewley the rescuers went deeper into the shaft, where several dead bodies were found, however no effort was made to remove them as long as there was a chance of finding anyone alive.By 22:00hrs 3 dead bodies had been sent to the surface, leaving 16 miners unaccounted for. The rescue was suspended at 23:00hrs.

Rescuing resumed the following morning, Tuesday. A box had been sent up from the Laxey Mines, better suited to hauling bodies out of the shaft. Of the 34 men who'd been engaged on the early shift the previous day, 15 had been accounted for alive, the bodies of 3 deceased miners had been brought to the surface, thus leaving 16 men in the mine. A telegram had been sent to the Foxdale Mines and miners had arrived from there to assist, along with the Foxdale Mines Captain, William Kitto. By 11:00hrs the rescuers had reached the 100 fathom level and 8 bodies had been recovered from the mine

At the 115 fathom level the air was still deemed too poisonous for the rescuers, this being indicated by the immediate extinguishing of candles which had been lowered further into the shaft. The Mine Inspector tried to obtain a sample of air for testing, however he was almost immediately overcome by the air and was quickly hauled back up the shaft.The body of a miner was observed at the 130 fathom level, however the rescuers were unable to reach it because of the air and the rescue was again suspended.

On Wednesday the rescue mission recommenced, consisting of Foxdale miners with a Snaefell miner working as pilot. At this time 6 men were still unaccounted for, 10 having been recovered the previous day and 3 on Monday evening. In order to clear the shaft as much as possible before the rescue party descended, every available means of pumping air into the shaft was utilised. During the course of the morning, the bodies of John Fayle, John Oliver, John James Oliver, John Kewin and Walter Christian were recovered, leaving only the body of Robert Kelly in the mine. Whilst trying to take an air sample at the 100 fathom level, Captain Kewley was overcome and had to be hauled back to the surface. One of the Foxdale miners was also overcome, the air still proving prohibitive to allow the recovery of the body of Robert Kelly situated at the 130 fathom level.