IN
REMEMBRANCE OF
BENJAMIN GILLAM,
AGED 25 YEARS.
WHO LOST HIS LIFE AT THE
STEAM BOILER EXPLOSION AT PENNY BRIDGE
PAPER MILLS, ON THE 7TH DAY OF SEPT 1875.
 
OUR SUDDEN LOSS WE SHOULD NOT MOURN,
NOR SHOW OURSELVES OPPRESSED,
HE IS NOT DEAD BUT GONE BEFORE
TO SCENES OF HEAVENLY REST.

BOILER EXPLOSION AT PENNY BRIDGE

SIX PERSONS KILLED – DEATH OF MR. JOHN LONG.

An accident, which has cast a sad gloom over the entire district, occurred at Penny Bridge Paper Mills, in the occupation of Messrs. Harrison and Long, on Tuesday evening, when the revolving rag boiler exploded at about 5.40 p.m., completely wrecking the chopping and engine house. An examination of the ruins disclosed the sad fact that Hugh Lowther, of Little Dicks, who was in charge of the boiler, was killed and his body much mutilated. William Atkinson, of Penny Bridge, who was in the chopping house, was also taken out dead. Mr. Long, one of the proprietors of the mill, was found a short distance from the boiler site. He had received serious injures to the head, shoulders and ribs. He was removed to his residence which adjoins the works. Isabella Bivens, Hannah Barthram, Dinah Chadwick, Ann Woodburn, and Fanny Baines, were also injured and severely scalded. Benjamin Gillam, who keeps a beerhouse in Greenodd, and who had been employed at the works for a considerable time past, was very badly scalded and injured. John Whittam also received severe cuts and bruises. Several others sustained slight injuries. A messenger was at once dispatched to Ulverston for medical aid, and several doctors were soon on the spot, who did all they could to relieve the sufferers, but in the case of Mr. Long and Isabella Bivens, the efforts were unavailing. Mr. Long died about a quarter past eight, and death terminated the woman’s sufferings about 11. p.m. Hannah Barthram died next afternoon, Lowther and Atkinson were both married men: the former leaves four children, and the latter three.

At present it is impossible to form any idea as to the cause of the melancholy accident. Since the explosion of a rag boiler at the Ellers Mill, Mr. Long had taken steps to strengthen the one in use at Penny Bridge, and as the one which has caused the present disaster has been felt to be insufficient for the requirements of the works, a second boiler had been ordered, and is expected to arrive this week. It is thought that at the time of the explosion Mr. Long was talking to the man in charge of the boiler, so we may assume that no negligence on the part of those in charge has led to the sad result. The force of the explosion was evinced (sic) by the fact of several large pieces of metal being picked up at distances of from 100 to 200 yards. The mill employs about 80 hands.

The deaths will each and all have a sad significance in their separate family circles; but in the case of Mr. Long it is a very heavy public loss, and very many will mourn his sudden departure. He was a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodists, and presided at most of the public meetings of that body. As a guardian of the poor, Mr. Long has for many years served the office, and for the past few years has been second vice-chairman of the Board, and generally took the chair at the weekly meetings. He was most earnest and untiring in the work, and few men possessed a more thorough knowledge of the Poor Law and its workings than did the deceased.

Mrs. Long was at Kendal at the time of the accident, and was telegraphed for. She at once drove over, but did not reach home until 10.30 p.m.

On Wednesday evening Mr. J. Poole, coroner, opened an inquest at the residence of Mr. Long. After evidence of identification of the deceased had been taken, the inquiry was adjourned until Monday next. Benjamin Gillam, of Greenodd, died about one o’clock on Thursday morning, thus making the sad total of six deaths.

We understand the funeral of Mr. Long will take place to-day (Saturday), at three o’clock, at Penny Bridge.

At the meeting of the Ulverston guardians on Thursday, Mr. H. W. Schneider moved a vote of condolence with the family of the deceased gentleman, which was unanimously resolved upon.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS
(List of members of the Board)
THE LATE VICE-CHAIRMAN MR. JOHN LONG.

Mr. Schneider said: Mr. Chairman, I have never risen in this Board with feeling of such deep regret as those which actuate me on this occasion. When I think of the number of occasions that I have sat in this room with Mr. Long, the place hardly seems the same without his familiar face being present. I do not think it will be necessary to enter into any address on the occasion of this deplorable accident, but feeling as I do towards Mr. Long, I should hardly like to submit a motion to this Board without expressing my opinion of the value he has been to the Board and to the community at large. There follows a lengthy eulogy to Mr. Long.