Mexborough and Swinton Times December 29, 1906

Suspended for Two Hours
Cadeby Collier’s Terrible Predicament.

From 2 o’clock to 4, on Thursday afternoon, was a period of suspense in at least two senses of the word. During that time 52 miners hung tremble into the cage in which they were locked, and expected momentarily a violent end.

It was 1:45 when the first sign that all was not as it should be was noticed, and at that time at the Cadeby Colliery the process of changing shifts was in full swing. Suddenly a cage (travelling, we have informed, in number one shaft), came to a dead stop, and the 52 miners therein contained were considerably upset by the concussion. The cause of this untoward stoppage was to be found in the cotter-pin connected with the winding gear which had broken, and without which it was impossible to raise or to lower the cage without terrible danger. Therefore, the cage stopped dead and was not likely to move for a fairly considerable time.

The feeling of the imprisoned travellers were certainly not of the most cheerful, and one woo-begone stripling was heard to give vent to their remark: “Here’s a nice new year for me.” However, those above were working quickly deftly, and surely in aid of the entombed ones, and by way of putting a little spirit into the creatures of misfortune, proceeded to lower for their delectation a quantity of brandy, together with other refreshments.

This evidently had the desired effect, for when as the hour hand gradually approached the figure 4, the cage will slowly hauled to the top, the men showing no signs of serious injury, though many certainly appeared to be suffering from the exhaustion which comes of continuous mental apprehension.

However, they went rejoicing to their homes of their respective families, and all was well that ended well. Still, at the same time, we cannot help wishing this in fortunate episode had not taken place, and we are sure that the colliery company must have a fellow feeling.

Accident like these, which runs within a hairbreadth of dread calamity certainly give rise to unpleasant thoughts of what might be, and the suspension of over 40 men halfway in one of the deepest mines in the world, is an incident containing possibilities. That the Colliery officials have done every thing in human power to place accidents at a minimum we take for granted: that they will now redouble their efforts is a natural conclusion.