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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: alfiepeg on Sunday 15 November 09 19:15 GMT (UK)

Title: Boiler bursting in Burton-on-Trent 1865
Post by: alfiepeg on Sunday 15 November 09 19:15 GMT (UK)
My relative William Bucknall died and the cause of death was Bursting of a boiler, Information received from John Richardson, coroner for Burton-on-Trent. Inquest held on 3rd June 1865. William’s occupation at the time of death was ‘Engineman’.

Does anyone have any idea how I can find information about this?

Many thanks

Alfie
Title: Re: Boiler bursting in Burton-on-Trent 1865
Post by: LFS on Sunday 15 November 09 21:26 GMT (UK)
The accident will have been reported in the Burton Mail - or at least the inquest which will have been held a week or so later probably.  Burton Library have microfilm, but its difficult to read - perhaps someone would go and have a look for you though, or in the Magic Attic in Swadlincote who also have the Burton Mail I understand.
Regards
Derby Girl
I'd go myself, but am living in Yorkshire at the moment.
Title: Re: Boiler bursting in Burton-on-Trent 1865
Post by: PaulStaffs on Sunday 15 November 09 21:31 GMT (UK)
It might have been one of the first stories covered in this newspaper:

"The BURTON UPON TRENT TIMES AND GENERAL ADVERTISER, founded on June 23 1855, became the Burton upon Trent Times and Tamworth Weekly News from May 6 1865"

Boiler explosions were frighteningly common in the first decades of the railway age so this accident may not have occasioned more than a few lines.

There will also be a record in the Railway Inspectorate files but I'm not sure if they are accessible to the public.
Title: Re: Boiler bursting in Burton-on-Trent 1865
Post by: IndisVanyar on Sunday 15 November 09 23:25 GMT (UK)
Hi Alfie

I have found the following information in an on line newspaper archive.

The accident occurred on June 1st at the Bass Brewery, killing two men, one by the name of Cliff and the other Bucknall, with several others severely wounded, according to the Birmingham Daily Post of Friday June 2nd 1865.

If you would like a copy send me an email address via PM.

Best wishes

Nell

Added - there is also a very full account of the inquest which concluded with a verdict of accidental death.
Title: Re: Boiler bursting in Burton-on-Trent 1865
Post by: alfiepeg on Monday 16 November 09 20:43 GMT (UK)
Thank you all, I had come to a dead end and this is really exciting. Will send you my email address thanks Nell as I live in Essex so don't have the opportunity to get to Burton.

Many thanks  :)

Alfie