Post by dorsetmills on Feb 22, 2019 12:52:46 GMT 1
Has anybody any more information about the cannon explosion at the festivities associated with the return of Mr & Mrs W.T. Crawshay to Merthyr Tydfil in October 1870
My wife's great great great grandfather, Elias Rees (b.1811 d.1884), was hurt in the explosion, he was blinded for three months and family stories have it that Mrs Crawshay went to read to him every day while he was recuperating.
The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales 22nd October 1870
At intervals throughout the day reports of cannon could be heard, the “Russians." or now better known as “Thomas Town" cannon, which were placed on the tips above Cyfarthfa church, making a great noise. Even before leaving the park, where was witnessed so much that was pleasing, the sad news came that an accident had occurred to the cannon firing party. This was at first scarcely believed, but testimony on testimony arrived, and to make the matter beyond doubt, the dead body of the victim was soon brought up the Pandy road. This lamentable occurrence naturally produced a most painful sensation, and the anxiety was intense to know the nature and extent of the accident. It appears that one of the Russian guns was under the care of a man who had seen some military service, and in order to produce an unusually loud report, it was over-loaded, and the consequence was that it exploded, the various parts, some of them weighing several cwts., flying in all directions, one piece weighing, it is said, 3 cwts., alighting about 400 yards distance. Fortunately, owing to the shower of rain that was descending at the time. there was comparatively no crowd near the gun, there being present only about a dozen persons, three of whom were injured, named James Gould, Cefn: Ebenezer Rees, Caepantywyll and Thomas Williams, John-street, George-town; the latter severely, and one man named Richard Rees, who was struck by the splinter on the left breast, was so severely hurt that he died very soon afterwards. The other persons were removed to their houses, where Dr Thomas and assistant were soon in attendance, and it is stated that these will recover. Numberless reasons were assigned as to the cause of the accident, but our readers will learn what is most authentic, and probable, from the perusal of the report of the inquest upon the body, which was held at the Lamb and Flag Inn on Tuesday.
In the evening a general illumination was to have taken place and a display of fire works, but such was the boisterous state of the weather that both were impracticable. This is the more to be regretted as we know that it many instances great preparations were made for the illuminations, and considerable expense had been incurred. A few places were, however, illuminated, among them the Crown Inn, the High Constable's residence, the Canal Head house, and a few other houses, but these were seen by but few persons, as the rain fell in perfect torrents. It seemed to be generally agreed to defer these forms of demonstration to Thursday evening, but unfortunately that evening turned out as wet as Tuesday, and we resume the rejoicings may he said to have terminated with the Public Ball which took place at the Drill Hall on Thursday evening. Of the particulars of this ball we cannot this week, in consequence of Mr Bruce's Factory Act, give an account, but just as we are going to press we learn that it has proved a complete success—the attendance being more numerous than the Committee had anticipated, there being 280 present, and the preparations of Mr Gunn giving the most perfect satisfaction.
THE ACCIDENT.
Soon after eleven o'clock on Tuesday, T. Williams, Esq., Deputy-Coroner, opened the inquest at the Lamb and Flag Inn. before a respectable jury of whom Mr D. Rees, Prince of Wales Inn, Nantygwenith-street, George Town, was foreman.
After the body had been viewed the following evidence was adduced :—
David Rees. father of the deceased said I am a forge carpenter at Cyfarthfa; the deceased Richard Rees was my son he was a single man and was 26 years old I was told of his death about five o'clock on Tuesday last.
David George said I am a carpenter at Cyfarthfa I knew the deceased Richard Rees; on Tuesday last. be and several others including myself were together on the tips behind Cyfarthfa Works, near the Swansea Road we were firing off the Sebastopol guns, which had for some time been up in Thomas Town; I had charge of one, and a person named Daniel Davies was in charge of the other; the other men that were present assisted us and looked on; they were brought to the tip on the previous day (Monday); we commenced firing them at three o'clock; but a fortnight before when they were on the mountain they were fired throughout the day; we had fired about a dozen charges from both guns before the accident occurred; I had charge of the other gun; we charged each gun with about nine pounds of powder; they were also first rammed with hemp, and afterwards with rubbish (or dirt) from the tips; there was a man named John Gould present who understood gun firing; the person referred to has been either in the artillery or marines, he and the deceased loaded the gun the time it exploded. When the gun exploded it had been charged with the same quantity of powder as other times, and about the same ramming; I was ramming my gun at the time, so I did not notice the other party; the first intimation I had of the explosion was whilst I was standing by the butt of the gun, I was enveloped in smoke, and directly afterwards I saw Elias Rees lying on the ground close by; he seemed to be very much injured, as blood was flowing profusely; he did not seem to be struck with a piece of the cannon but simply burnt with the powder, for I noticed that his whiskers were singed. On seeing this, I thought that everything had not gone on rightly, and looked towards the cannon, which I perceived had exploded, the butt end breaking in two large pieces, whilst about 2ft. of it was broken into atoms; about four feet of the muzzle was quite whole; one of the pieces was thrown a distance of about 200 yards; I then looked for the men, and saw the deceased running down the tramroad, towards the town; I called after him, asking what was the matter with him, and where he was going he replied, "I have a hole in my belly, I am going to the surgery," I then said, go then quick." This was about half an hour I should think after the cannon exploded; all the men were quite sober; I do not believe they drank a drop of beer that day; I and others went for the loan of the guns; we saw the High- Constable, W. Todd. Esq., and several other gentlemen, who consented to our taking them away.
By a Juror:The deceased was not engaged by anyone to attend to the guns, but he volunteered his assistance both on the mountain the fortnight previously as well as on Tuesday last.
David Thomas, said I am a plasterer at Cyfarthfa; I was on the tips with the previous witness and other persons on Tuesday last firing the cannon off; I was about sixty yards from the cannon giving out the powder; the charge I gave out each time was 9lbs. 2oz. including the bag; that quantity filled a bag, and I did not give any more on any occasion; what attracted my attention first was the falling near me of a piece of the exploded cannon, upon that I went over to the guns, and found that one of them had exploded; the first person I saw was Elias Rees who had just then risen from the ground; the next that I saw was Richard Rees who said, "I am hurted I am going down;” he was pressing his hands on his side at the time; I do not know who fired the gun at the time it exploded.
Thomas Watkins said: I am employed at the Cyfarthfa stables, George Town; I live next door to the Nantygwenith gate; about four o'clock on Tuesday last, I saw the deceased Richard Rees and another person coming in the direction of my house; when they got near me, the person who was with Rees asked me if I would allow the deceased to sit down for a few minutes in my house; I readily consented to his so doing, and he sat on a chair near the door; when I first saw him, and when he walked in the house, there did not seem to be anything the matter with him; just after he had sat down I observed him leaning his head towards the person that was with him, and who stood by; I then observed that he had received an accident, and the deceased said in reply, "Yes I have a hole through my belly:” that was all that he spoke in the house; I did not perceive there was anything the matter with him, but immediately after he had uttered the above words I noticed that he breathed heavily, and appeared dying, which he did quite peaceably about twenty minutes afterwards. Dr Thomas came soon after the poor man had died. The man that was with him carried his coat and waistcoat, and I noticed that he was pressing his hand on his side.
The father of the deceased was re-called and stated that there was a small hole, about the size of a threepenny bit, in the body, near the region of the heart. He believed no blood flowed from it as his son kept his hand on it the whole of the time.
The jury in reply to the Coroner stated that they believed sufficient evidence had been adduced to show the cause of death, and it was therefore needless to adjourn the enquiry.
The Coroner then reviewed the evidence, remarking that though the occasion on which the deceased met his death was one of rejoicing, he could not help observing that the High Constable had shown a want of firmness in allowing the cannon to be removed, unless he was positive that the gun was in proper condition to be used, and that in the hands of persons with some knowledge in such matters, and more especially considering that the guns were trophies that had been presented to the town by Government, and had been exposed to all weathers, for several years past. He had no doubt however that Mr Todd thought he was doing a good act when he consented to the guns being removed.
The jury after a short consultation returned a verdict of Accidental Death."
My wife's great great great grandfather, Elias Rees (b.1811 d.1884), was hurt in the explosion, he was blinded for three months and family stories have it that Mrs Crawshay went to read to him every day while he was recuperating.
The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales 22nd October 1870
At intervals throughout the day reports of cannon could be heard, the “Russians." or now better known as “Thomas Town" cannon, which were placed on the tips above Cyfarthfa church, making a great noise. Even before leaving the park, where was witnessed so much that was pleasing, the sad news came that an accident had occurred to the cannon firing party. This was at first scarcely believed, but testimony on testimony arrived, and to make the matter beyond doubt, the dead body of the victim was soon brought up the Pandy road. This lamentable occurrence naturally produced a most painful sensation, and the anxiety was intense to know the nature and extent of the accident. It appears that one of the Russian guns was under the care of a man who had seen some military service, and in order to produce an unusually loud report, it was over-loaded, and the consequence was that it exploded, the various parts, some of them weighing several cwts., flying in all directions, one piece weighing, it is said, 3 cwts., alighting about 400 yards distance. Fortunately, owing to the shower of rain that was descending at the time. there was comparatively no crowd near the gun, there being present only about a dozen persons, three of whom were injured, named James Gould, Cefn: Ebenezer Rees, Caepantywyll and Thomas Williams, John-street, George-town; the latter severely, and one man named Richard Rees, who was struck by the splinter on the left breast, was so severely hurt that he died very soon afterwards. The other persons were removed to their houses, where Dr Thomas and assistant were soon in attendance, and it is stated that these will recover. Numberless reasons were assigned as to the cause of the accident, but our readers will learn what is most authentic, and probable, from the perusal of the report of the inquest upon the body, which was held at the Lamb and Flag Inn on Tuesday.
In the evening a general illumination was to have taken place and a display of fire works, but such was the boisterous state of the weather that both were impracticable. This is the more to be regretted as we know that it many instances great preparations were made for the illuminations, and considerable expense had been incurred. A few places were, however, illuminated, among them the Crown Inn, the High Constable's residence, the Canal Head house, and a few other houses, but these were seen by but few persons, as the rain fell in perfect torrents. It seemed to be generally agreed to defer these forms of demonstration to Thursday evening, but unfortunately that evening turned out as wet as Tuesday, and we resume the rejoicings may he said to have terminated with the Public Ball which took place at the Drill Hall on Thursday evening. Of the particulars of this ball we cannot this week, in consequence of Mr Bruce's Factory Act, give an account, but just as we are going to press we learn that it has proved a complete success—the attendance being more numerous than the Committee had anticipated, there being 280 present, and the preparations of Mr Gunn giving the most perfect satisfaction.
THE ACCIDENT.
Soon after eleven o'clock on Tuesday, T. Williams, Esq., Deputy-Coroner, opened the inquest at the Lamb and Flag Inn. before a respectable jury of whom Mr D. Rees, Prince of Wales Inn, Nantygwenith-street, George Town, was foreman.
After the body had been viewed the following evidence was adduced :—
David Rees. father of the deceased said I am a forge carpenter at Cyfarthfa; the deceased Richard Rees was my son he was a single man and was 26 years old I was told of his death about five o'clock on Tuesday last.
David George said I am a carpenter at Cyfarthfa I knew the deceased Richard Rees; on Tuesday last. be and several others including myself were together on the tips behind Cyfarthfa Works, near the Swansea Road we were firing off the Sebastopol guns, which had for some time been up in Thomas Town; I had charge of one, and a person named Daniel Davies was in charge of the other; the other men that were present assisted us and looked on; they were brought to the tip on the previous day (Monday); we commenced firing them at three o'clock; but a fortnight before when they were on the mountain they were fired throughout the day; we had fired about a dozen charges from both guns before the accident occurred; I had charge of the other gun; we charged each gun with about nine pounds of powder; they were also first rammed with hemp, and afterwards with rubbish (or dirt) from the tips; there was a man named John Gould present who understood gun firing; the person referred to has been either in the artillery or marines, he and the deceased loaded the gun the time it exploded. When the gun exploded it had been charged with the same quantity of powder as other times, and about the same ramming; I was ramming my gun at the time, so I did not notice the other party; the first intimation I had of the explosion was whilst I was standing by the butt of the gun, I was enveloped in smoke, and directly afterwards I saw Elias Rees lying on the ground close by; he seemed to be very much injured, as blood was flowing profusely; he did not seem to be struck with a piece of the cannon but simply burnt with the powder, for I noticed that his whiskers were singed. On seeing this, I thought that everything had not gone on rightly, and looked towards the cannon, which I perceived had exploded, the butt end breaking in two large pieces, whilst about 2ft. of it was broken into atoms; about four feet of the muzzle was quite whole; one of the pieces was thrown a distance of about 200 yards; I then looked for the men, and saw the deceased running down the tramroad, towards the town; I called after him, asking what was the matter with him, and where he was going he replied, "I have a hole in my belly, I am going to the surgery," I then said, go then quick." This was about half an hour I should think after the cannon exploded; all the men were quite sober; I do not believe they drank a drop of beer that day; I and others went for the loan of the guns; we saw the High- Constable, W. Todd. Esq., and several other gentlemen, who consented to our taking them away.
By a Juror:The deceased was not engaged by anyone to attend to the guns, but he volunteered his assistance both on the mountain the fortnight previously as well as on Tuesday last.
David Thomas, said I am a plasterer at Cyfarthfa; I was on the tips with the previous witness and other persons on Tuesday last firing the cannon off; I was about sixty yards from the cannon giving out the powder; the charge I gave out each time was 9lbs. 2oz. including the bag; that quantity filled a bag, and I did not give any more on any occasion; what attracted my attention first was the falling near me of a piece of the exploded cannon, upon that I went over to the guns, and found that one of them had exploded; the first person I saw was Elias Rees who had just then risen from the ground; the next that I saw was Richard Rees who said, "I am hurted I am going down;” he was pressing his hands on his side at the time; I do not know who fired the gun at the time it exploded.
Thomas Watkins said: I am employed at the Cyfarthfa stables, George Town; I live next door to the Nantygwenith gate; about four o'clock on Tuesday last, I saw the deceased Richard Rees and another person coming in the direction of my house; when they got near me, the person who was with Rees asked me if I would allow the deceased to sit down for a few minutes in my house; I readily consented to his so doing, and he sat on a chair near the door; when I first saw him, and when he walked in the house, there did not seem to be anything the matter with him; just after he had sat down I observed him leaning his head towards the person that was with him, and who stood by; I then observed that he had received an accident, and the deceased said in reply, "Yes I have a hole through my belly:” that was all that he spoke in the house; I did not perceive there was anything the matter with him, but immediately after he had uttered the above words I noticed that he breathed heavily, and appeared dying, which he did quite peaceably about twenty minutes afterwards. Dr Thomas came soon after the poor man had died. The man that was with him carried his coat and waistcoat, and I noticed that he was pressing his hand on his side.
The father of the deceased was re-called and stated that there was a small hole, about the size of a threepenny bit, in the body, near the region of the heart. He believed no blood flowed from it as his son kept his hand on it the whole of the time.
The jury in reply to the Coroner stated that they believed sufficient evidence had been adduced to show the cause of death, and it was therefore needless to adjourn the enquiry.
The Coroner then reviewed the evidence, remarking that though the occasion on which the deceased met his death was one of rejoicing, he could not help observing that the High Constable had shown a want of firmness in allowing the cannon to be removed, unless he was positive that the gun was in proper condition to be used, and that in the hands of persons with some knowledge in such matters, and more especially considering that the guns were trophies that had been presented to the town by Government, and had been exposed to all weathers, for several years past. He had no doubt however that Mr Todd thought he was doing a good act when he consented to the guns being removed.
The jury after a short consultation returned a verdict of Accidental Death."