The Boiler Explosion in Birmingham: Adjourned Inquest: This Day: The Engineer Committed for Man-slaughter: This morning the resumed inquest was opened the Coroner’s Court, Mr. H. Hawkes (coroner), on the bodies of the three men, William Mewis, Henry Denston, and Francis George Wilkins, who were killed by the explosion of a boiler at the Stephenson Tube Works, Liverpool Street, on the 9th inst. Mr. Hugo Young (instructed by Messrs. Saunders, Smith, and Parish) watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Wm. Everftt, the owner of the tube works, who also trades as Allen Eyeritt and Sons, at the Kingston Metal Works. Mr. Pinsent represented Mr. Mosedale, the chief engineer of the works; Mr. Burton represented the relatives and friends of Wilkins; and Mr. Prior, Government inspector under the Factory Acts, also attended. — The depositions of the witnesses who the opening of the inquest identified the bodies of the deceased men having been read over, Mr. Hugo Young said wished to mention that since the enquiry was adjourned gentleman, who stated that he was one of the jury – had called at the manufactory and asked to examine the works. Mr. Everitt, having given instructions that no one should be admitted unless he had an order from the coroner, the gentleman, who had no such order, was refused admission. … … (long discussion of the state of the boiler before the explosion) … The coroner, in his remarks to the jury said it was not necessary for him to say anything as the cause of death. There was not the slightest doubt that an explosion had taken place, at which the men lost their lives. What they had to consider was how that explosion occurred. There were four people who had to do with the condition of the boiler, Mr. Everitt, the chief engineer Dangerfield, the foreman fitter, and the deceased, Mewis. What they had to decide upon was whether it was through the culpable negligence of either of these that the disaster happened. … … (discussion of relative culpability) … … The jury, after about 10 minute’s consideration, returned a verdict to the effect that the three deceased men met their deaths through the culpable negligence of the chief engineer, Mosedale. Mr. Everitt also was censured for not stopping the boiler after it had been reported unsafe. The coroner: That is a verdict of manslaughter against Mosedale, whom I now commit to take his trial on the charge at the Warwick Assizes. Mr. Pinsent asked the coroner to admit Mosedale to bail. The coroner said he could not very well fix the amount now. It could be better fixed when the accused was brought before the magistrates. Mr. Pinsent said he did not want his client to be taken into custody. The coroner said he was bound to issue his warrant. The Chief of Police could execute it as he thought proper.
(see similar review at Borough Police Court – bail accepted at £100 himself and two sureties of £50: Birmingham Mail, Tuesday 24th October 1882).
[GRO0738 Devonport]
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0738 Devonport: Richard Alfred Pinsent: 1852 – 1948