31-03-2006

There had been explosions at the Minnie Pit before 1918. In 1915 9 lives had been lost but on Saturday 12 January 1918 there was a huge explosion. Of 247 men working in the pit, 154 were killed either by the blast or by the gas which then filled the workings.

The Central Rescue Station at Stoke sent men and equipment and Rescue Teams from the Minnie Pit and other collieries started work. The Captain of the Birchenwood Team Hugh Doorbar lost his life in the rescue attempt as a result of faulty breathing equipment. The damage to the pit was so great that it took 20 months to recover the last of the bodies. It was the worst mining disaster in North Staffordshire.                                                        

Rescue teams worked in relays during the night exploring and carrying out the difficult task of repairing the ventilation in an effort to reach the entombed men. The work was very slow. The poisonous atmosphere necessitated the use of oxygen breathing apparatus which only lasted a limited time. They encountered several falls which further hindered their progress. Despite these obstacles however, the untiring efforts of these gallant brigades took them about 1000 yards inbye the pit bottom. One of the rescuers was overcome by gas and had to be assisted out of the pit.

On Monday morning the Captain of the Birchenwood Colliery Rescue Brigade, Hugh Doorbar, lost his life when engaged in exploration in the Seven Foot Seam. The team of which he was a member consisted of six men, and after consultation with a captain of a team who were coming off duty, proceeded inbye.  On reaching the top of the fall in what was known as Locket's dip, in the Seven Foot Seam, the men noticed an unpleasant smell. Tests were made for firedamp but without result; a safety lamp however, burned dimly, and it was decided to couple up their breathing apparatus. The team proceeded slowly, and ultimately the safety lamp went out. A sharp report was heard and Captain Hugh Doorbar remarked, "Oh my apparatus!" his comrades tried to assist him but he struggled violently. Efforts were made to get to cleaner air but owing to his struggles, during which he repeatedly knocked off nose clips of the other men, and knocked one man down. The other men by this time were also affected by the atmosphere and they were finally obliged to leave him. When they left him, they were satisfied he was dead. His body was recovered the next day. On examination later they found that the apparatus was faulty.