The question; did the shaft remain open until the funeral, is answered
by the report of Mines Inspector W. N. Atkinson. He records that "One
side of the shaft was against the foundations of the houses on the east
side of the street. When the shaft was examined it appeared as if it had
been "tumped over" by a dome of brickwork... When plumbed it was found
to be 40 yards deep, and nearly full of blackdamp. The sides of the
shaft so far as could be seen were in a dangerous state, part of the
brick lining having fallen away. Efforts were made to recover the
body... The sides of the shaft , however, continued to give way to such
an extent that the fallen stuff filled the bottom of the shaft for 71/2
yards and on the following day (Sunday) apprehensions were felt for the
safety of the adjoining houses, and it became evident that it was
impracticable to use the shaft to recover the body. The Mayor of
Hanley, therefore, obtained the consent of Mr. Holland's relatives to
the filling up of the shaft, and this was preceeded with a after a
religious service had been held at the top of the shaft."
So the answer is yes, the shaft did remain open, although the funeral
appears to have been held the next day, and the shaft was filled to
prevent damage to adjacent houses.
Dr. Barry Job.
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Edmondson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 January 2003 21:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: "Pitshaft death that shocked the Potteries"
The Saturday January 18th Edition of "The Sentinel" newspaper includes
the following item
"This year marks the centenary of the death of Thomas Holland in one of
the most horrifying accidents in Potteries history. He was swallowed up
by an old pitshaft which opened up beneath his feet in St John Street,
Hanley, as he walked to work one morning in 1903, Poor Thomas was never
seen again and a funeral service was held around the gaping hole. It was
claimed the victim, a keen Salvationist, was singing the well known hymn
"When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" at the very moment he disappeared
down the shaft. Afterwards Hanley Town Council agreed to conduct an
inquiry into disused pitshafts in the area, but the investigations made
little progress because many had never been mapped"
Reports of this nature leave more questions unanswered than they provide
! Did the shaft remain open for the period between Mr. Holland's death
and the time of his funeral ? What damage did occur in St John Street
as a result of the shaft collapse ? I have seen other references
locally to people who have disappeared, it is being claimed they fell in
to pit shafts although no one saw them actually fall in the shaft. The
description of Mr Holland's demise would suggest his accident was
witnessed.
Is anybody else aware of similar instances elsewhere ?
Keith Edmondson
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