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Photos of Wigan
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Mining

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Pretoria Colliery disaster
Pretoria Colliery disaster
Photo: Allan Hughes
Views: 1,728
Item #: 16529
The Pretoria Pit was situated on the border of Atherton and Westhoughton, the explosion occurred at 7.50am on the 21st of December 1910, 344 men and boys died. This napkin was sold as part of the fundraising effort to help support widows and children. After 90 years folded up in a drawer it was falling apart so I had it mounted and framed to preserve it, hence on the photo you can see the reflection from the glass. Being on the Wigan coalfield I hope this of some interest to you.

Comment by: George on 19th December 2010 at 23:03

A sad but fascinating insight into a world, not so far away in years, but miles away in terms of how we deal with tragedy compared to today. Basically the attempt to raise money was to help the bereaved but that was to be obtained from the community, the very ones who had suffered. How different now in our insurance led culture, a system often derided but who is to say it isn't preferable to the hardship of yesteryear.

Comment by: John Walsh's Mate on 21st December 2010 at 21:08

The Hulton Collieries (of which Pretoria was one) were situated in Westhoughton. That is, not on the 'border of Atherton and Westhoughton', actually IN Westhoughton, and NOT in Atherton.

The collieries were also on the Manchester Coalfield. NOT Wigan coalfield.

Comment by: pan on 24th December 2010 at 17:03

the pit head was in westhoughton the explosion was in atherton

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