Sheffield

A Cullingworth family's tragedy

Extracted from the News of the World 20 August 1886 from the online newpapers http://www.uk.olivesoftware.com/

Appalling Disaster at Sheffield - Eight Children Killed

On Wednesday evening a terrible accident occurred at the works of Messrs Daniel Doncaster & Sons, steel converters in Sheffield. Their premises are situated in a densely populated part of the town and are skirted on the right by Matthew Street. On this side was the warehouse, where there was stored steel and iron bars roughly estimated at 600 to a 1,000 tons. The greater portion of this pile was reared against the wall, which in addition supported the roofs. About 5pm the wall suddenly gave way and fell into the street, carrying with it the immense pile of steel with the timbers and the roof slates. There was a report as that of thunder but for several minuets nothing could be seen for the cloud of dust which rose high into the air. The people living on the opposite side of the street came to their doors in alarm and had their attention immediately attracted by the screams of two children who had been seated close to their door steps and had almost been covered by the debris. The children were liberated and found to be little injured. In the street lay the pile of steel up to about 10 foot and as several children had been seen a few minutes playing under the wall the worst fears were entertained as to their fate. The workmen of Messrs Doncaster, of messrs Sothern and Richardson and neighbouring fims at once commenced to remove the steel. But when it is stated that some of the bars were as much as three or four men could lift, the nature of the task before them can be imagined. The police constable and a force of police arrived and their service found to be very valuable in keeping back the crowd, for the news of the disaster had spread quickly and not only Matthew street but adjacent streets were blocked by the excited people. After some tons of steel had been removed it was decided to open a passage in the masses the more readily to ascertain whether any bodies had been buried or not for the parents of five children had already reported them missing and they were frantic with grief at the possibility of their having been crushed. The men worked with emery and by seven o'clock one opening in the metal had been made and underneath were found the remains of three children, mangled almost beyond recognition. A stretcher was brought and the bodies were removed to a room in the works. A little later another body was found and identified by the clothing as that of a boy named CULLINGWORTH whose parents keep a tavern close by. The work of removing the metal proceeded now more rapidly and by nine o'clock three more bodies had been foundmaking seven in all. By this time the authorities had satisfied themselves that if there were anymore bodies under the metal, of which there was still an immense mass to remove, life must be extinct and it was decided to suspend work until the next morning. The following is a list of the killed:- Martha ARMITAGE age 10 years, John ARMITAGE age 2 years children of John ARMITAGE, Hoyle Street: Henry CRISP age 6 years, whose parents live in Adelphi Street: William CULLINGWORTH age 7 years [NB he was actually aged 3], son of Tom CULLINGWORTH, landlord of the Burnt Tree Tavern, Hoyle Street: Clifford ANDERSON age 7 years whose parents live in Burnt Tree Lane: Samuel OATES 5 years, son of John OATES, table-blade grinder, Hoyle Street: William Henry WARDE age 5 years son of a table-blade grinder. During the examination of the bodies some heart rending scenes were witnessed. Fathers and Mothers came forward and identified their dead children by their garments, which alone afforded a means of identification. Two children were also removed to the infirmary suffering from severe injuries. The wall was 25 yards long and 18 feet in height. A person who was near the spot at the time of the accident says that there were two sharp reports, like pistol shots and then a great crash and clouds of dust obscured everything as the mingled bricks and mortar fell in confused masses. Thursday morning's search among the debris revealed another body, that of Herbert CROOKES age 5 1/2/2 years old. His corpse fearfully injured and the father could only identify the body by the clothing. On Friday the Sheffield Coroner opened an inquest, the bodies were identified by the parents of the children and the Coroner, having granted certificates for burial, intimated his intention of having an inspection of the premises prior to taking further evidence and adjourned the inquest for that purpose. Messrs Doncaster expressed their great grief at the occurrence and offered the Coroner every facility in his conduct of the enquiry.