3-082-982 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Boiler Explosion near Redcar: ends of boilers blown near furnace, 1895. 'On June 14 a terrible explosion occurred at the Warrenby Ironworks, Cleveland, by which four men lost their lives immediately, five others subsequently, and others were shockingly injured. The works were erected in 1872, and are the property of Messrs. Walker, Maynard, and Co., of Middlesbrough, who employ more than three hundred men there. Just when the furnaces were being tapped an explosion was heard, followed quickly by the upheaval of a great quantity of brickwork. Five of the boilers lie in a heap more than 200 ft. from the chimney stack. Beyond these, two sixty-feet cylindrical boilers were thrown into a field where cattle were grazing. Other portions of boilers were dispersed 400 yards away. Some newly cast pigs of metal were wrenched off from the beds and hurled a long distance. The owners of the works have been much shocked by the occurrence, and are doing all they can to mitigate the distress caused. The damage done is valued at nearly £20,000. A Government inquiry will of course be held to discover, if possible, the cause of the disaster'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.