Snaefell Mine disaster

Timber left smouldering underground filled the mine's shafts with carbon monoxide; miners descending on the morning shift were overwhelmed before they realised the danger. Sources give the death toll as 19-23.

Cause

New support timbers had been installed at the 130-fathom level; candles left burning nearby are thought to have set them smouldering. The smoke produced was rich in carbon monoxide, an odourless gas that gave victims no warning before it overcame them — contemporary investigator Dr Haldane found the concentration in the mine could disable a person within seven to eight minutes.

What happened

On the morning of 10 May 1897, a shift of 35 men descended into Snaefell Mine unaware that timber left smouldering underground had filled the workings with carbon monoxide. Several men managed to climb back out, exhausted and reporting foul air, but many more were overcome before they could escape. Rescue efforts continued through the day, using a specially built box to haul survivors out through manholes only 22 by 19 inches across. Recovering the dead took several more days and proved extremely dangerous: one rescuer, Mr Williams, lost consciousness while collecting gas samples at 115 fathoms. Captain W.H. Kitto and a party of volunteers from the Foxdale Mines arrived to help with the recovery; another Foxdale man, Mr H. Wynne-Finch, also lost consciousness during the operation. The disaster left fourteen widows, thirty orphans, and two widowed mothers who had depended on sons among the dead.

Investigation & inquiry

The inquest could not establish exactly how the timber caught alight, but its jury recommended using non-flammable timbers underground, mechanical lifting systems, inspections before each shift, and permanent improvements to ventilation.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• The Northern Mine Research Society gives a death toll of 23; other secondary accounts give 19-20. (disputed) ¹
• Captain W.H. Kitto led a party of volunteers from the Foxdale Mines to assist with body recovery; one of them, H. Wynne-Finch, also lost consciousness during the operation. ¹

Sources

1. (secondary) Snaefell Lead Mine Accident - Laxey - 1897 — Northern Mine Research Society
2. (secondary) Snaefell Mining Disaster 1897, Isle of Man — Transceltic

Record created: 20 August 2026 · Last researched: 20 August 2026