Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 10 July 1912
Royal Sympathy.
Mr. Chambers and Mr. Wilson had only just reached the colliery offices when the King and Queen, whose intended visit to the scene of disaster was known only to the officials in the office, arrived.
The crowds hanging about the pit were unaware of the identity of the occupants of the glass-covered car, and their Majesties were entering the door of the offices before they were recognised. The news of their arrival spread rapidly through the village and a tremendous crowd gathered in the road.
Their Majesties had motored over from Wentworth Woodhouse in company with Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Stamfordham, and other members of the house party, and went into the offices of the colliery company, where they remained from twenty past seven until a quarter to eight.
They made many inquiries from Mr. W. H. Chambers, the managing director, Mr. J. R. R. Wilson, mines inspector, and other officials, to the nature of the disaster, and expressed deep concern at the fate of the unfortunate miners. Mr. Chambers showed them a plan of the part of the colliery where the explosions occurred, and explained the way the force the blast travelled and how the men met their deaths.
His Majesty’s Anxiety for Sufferers.
The King also inquired, through Lord Stamfordham, as to what was being done for the relief of the sufferers, and was informed that help would be immediately forthcoming either through the Miners’ Relief Fund or under the Compensation Act.
When the Queen left the office she was weeping, and the King also appeared full of sorrow at the calamity that had taken place. A pathetically faint attempt to raise cheer was made, but everybody appeared much affected bv the incident.
Subsequently Mr. Chambers posted the following statement;
Their Majesties the King and Queen have visited the Cadeby Colliery today, to ascertain personally on the spot particulars of the sad calamity which has deprived many of us of those whom we loved. They commanded to express to all who have suffered the loss of any who were dear to them their deep sympathy with them in their grief.
Interviewed after their Majesties had left, both Mr. Chambers and Mr. Wilson were much affected.
“I am not among the killed because a telephone call was late,” was the grimly laconic remark of Mr. Wilson, when asked how escaped the fate of his colleagues. He did not down the pit until after the first rescue party had descended, the news of the disaster not having reached him early enough.
As to the cause of the explosion Mr. Wilson said it was a mystery. It could be said with certainty, however, that it was neither shot firing nor electricity which had caused it.
The latest estimate of the number killed unhappily bears out the worst fears of the afternoon. The total is put at 79. About 77 bodies have been recovered. In addition to the three inspectors, Mr. Douglas Chambers, nephew the managing director, was one of the members of the rescue party who perished.
Mr. Bury, the manager of the colliery, is at Denaby Hospital, in a critical state.