- 32. 32. Henry Wood,

The Rescuers Among those taking the lead in the rescue operations were:

- • Beresford (1828-1897), age 32, of Bridle Road, Mosbrough, husband of Martha and • Beresford (1828-1897), age 32, of Bridle Road, Mosbrough, husband of Martha and father of eight children. He was an engine tenter in a neighbouring pit of Mr Wells, was said to have been one of the most courageous of those who rendered assistance. He was near the Crown Inn at Mosborough when he was first informed of the accident by John Sisson, the colliery underground steward. Descending into the mine after the first seven or eight had been brought up, he went to the bottom and brought up two men, one on each of his thighs and Naboth Kirkby clinging to the rope above, to the lower stage. It was from here that Kirkby fell to his death. He took the remaining two miners, including John Turner, to the surface. At midnight, he was relieved and returned to the rescue effort at about three o'clock, descending once more to the lower stage, where he spoke to John Kay, but his rope signal was misunderstood, and he was raised again. He went down once more to search for Charles Meggitt but could not find him. A subscription list was opened at the British Oak pub to reward him, Ellis Ulley and others for their efforts. It raised a sum of £15 17s 3d, which was presented to them at George Booth's 'British Oak' by a committee consisting of the Reverend E. B. Estcourt, Vicar of Eckington, the Reverend J. Eastwood, Mr J. Wells, Esq., and Mr Esq.25. Harwood,
- • Sisson, age 44, colliery underground steward of Turnpike Road, Mosborough, was • Sisson, age 44, colliery underground steward of Turnpike Road, Mosborough, was instrumental in erecting the screen around the pumping shaft to reduce the amount of smoke being drawn into it. He then followed George Foster down to the first stage around 50 yards from the surface to steady the men as they came up and prevent them from being injured by the stays. He later went to the bottom of the shaft around eight o'clock and brought two men to the surface.
- • Foster (1817-1884), age 43, blacksmith and Primitive Methodist Preacher, was the • Foster (1817-1884), age 43, blacksmith and Primitive Methodist Preacher, was the first to descend the pumping shaft on the 'horse' at around five o'clock. He alighted at the bottom stage, around 60 yards from the bottom, communicating with the surface through a signal rope and guiding the 'horse' down to the men below.
- • Hedley, the government inspector of mines, followed Thomas Sissons down to the first • Hedley, the government inspector of mines, followed Thomas Sissons down to the first stage. After two men who had been landed there were taken to the top, he took the 'horse' to the bottom of the shaft and returned with three men, one of whom was Naboth Kirkby. He landed them at the top stage, and from there, it was agreed that he would take them up one by one. Kirkby was the first to go, but no sooner had the rope been made tight, the chain gave way, and he fell to the bottom, and the 'horse' along with him. After taking another man to the top, he brought out John Turner.
- • Ulley (b. 1842 at High Lane), age 17, son of Edward and Elizabeth Ulley of High Lane, • Ulley (b. 1842 at High Lane), age 17, son of Edward and Elizabeth Ulley of High Lane, a workman at Mr Well's pit. He had just landed two of the survivors at the surface and was suspended at the mouth of the pumping shaft ready to descend again when the second of the two explosions occurred at a quarter to twelve. Fortunately, apart from the effects of breathing sulphur, he was uninjured.
- • Wells of Eckington (1816-1873), Proprietor of Moor Hole Colliery, deserved credit • Wells of Eckington (1816-1873), Proprietor of Moor Hole Colliery, deserved credit for supervising the rescue operations. He and Mr Seymour, manager of Mr Barrow's Staveley