While entering details on the death of a miner called James RICHARDS to the WAVMM, I came across a phrase that I have never seen before. The records I was reading from were handwritten at the time of his accident and although handwriting can be tricky I was pretty sure that it did say ‘Monkey’.
I then contacted Scott Wilson from the EGHS and APLA who is always a huge help on any mining questions. This is what he told me:-
The crossheads or Monkey stops the Kibble bucket from swinging about in the shaft. It ran with the kibble and was guided by skids on the shaft wall.
He was even able to show me the following diagram from the book:- Frank Bojesen’s book Small Scale Underground Mining.
This is a report of the accident, I am sure it will explain everything to those with a knowledge of mining equipment:-
Black Range Courier and Sandstone Observer 16 March 1907, page 2
THE RECENT FATAL ACCIDENT AT HACK’S AT – INQUEST CONCLUDED. NO ONE TO BLAME.
The adjourned inquest into the death – of James Richards, who was killed at the Black Range Mine on December 11th, 1906, was held on Wednesday afternoon, at the Warden’s office, Nunngarra, by Mr. S. A. Mahood, J.P., acting coroner, Mr.. W. M. Deeble, mining inspector, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Mines Department; Mr. Aldbrough J. Davies represented the company; and Constable McArthur the police. The jury comprised A. G. Moses (foreman), Charles Wright, and James O’Donnell. Thomas. Elias Normany deposed that he was working in the mine with deceased, who was his mate, they went on shift at 8 a.m. on 11 th December,” and while being lowered down Murdoch’s shaft, at they were inspecting the shaft, according to instructions. About 20 feet down they noticed some mullock lying on the timber sets and he signalled to the braceman to stop lowering and witness went over to the ladders and raked of the loose, stuff, about 15 lbs in all, consisting of loose stones up to the size of a mans fist. Then the descent was resumed and at 97ft from the surface they left their coats and cribs in the crosscut Continuing the descent they had been lowered about 20 feet below the crosscut when something fell from above and struck them: it knocked Richards down with his legs in the bucket, and his body being supported by the side of the shaft. Witness first impulse was to reach the knocker-line to stop the bucket from being lowered any further, but his left arm had been injured and he could not use it.
As the bucket went down the body of deceased tipped out when the skids were passed. Witness thought a lump of mullock struck him on the shoulder at the time; it was hardly possible for the monkey to come down the rope and strike him in the place indicated; the monkey was on the stopper about two inches above his head, and was not in his way: he did not notice the monkey skidding down the shaft; he noticed some “heady ” ground at 90 feet, but did not consider it dangerous, although it was not a safe place, he gave the accident signal at the 137 feet plat. One man came down at once, and two others followed almost immediately; the body of deceased was found in the bottom of the well, the water of which was level with the plat; had candles all the way down, but they went out when he and the deceased were struck; he could see fairly well though. He spoke to his mate when struck, but received no reply, he saw a split piece of timber nine inches long in the bottom of shaft, which might have fallen from anywhere. The piece of timber found could not have struck both of them. The body fell about 9 or 10 feet to the water. William Thomas, Braceman, deposed that he noticed something wrong before the accident signal was given; the doors at the mouth of the shaft were closed while the men were being lowered the monkey passed clear of the doors before he closed them. William Bailey, engine-driver, deposed that he felt a jolt on the rope when lowering the men, an unusual thing to occur, and concluded something had gone wrong before receiving the accident signal; he had never known the monkey to shift, but noticed it to be lower after the accident by about 15 inches; deceased’s head was gashed across the top.
It would require a great blow to shift the monkey 15 inches the bottom crossbar on the monkey was splintered. Sidney M’Leod, underground manager, gave evidence as to the recovery of deceased’s body; he examined the shaft, but could not account for the accident, the well was bailed out the day after the accident, but nothing was found in it. When he descended the shaft the monkey was about three feet over his head. Colin S. Gordon, miner, deposed that he was appointed by the Warden to examine the scene of the fatality, and did so in company with Herbert Currell. The day after the accident he descended the ladders, and examined the shaft all the way down to the plat at the bottom level. The water was two feet above the plat, and he asked to have the shaft drained. This was done, and next day they examined the bottom of the shaft; they found a piece of mulga about nine inches long and four inches thick, which appeared to have been there for a considerable time, he could not say what caused the fatality. A number of questions by those engaged elicited no further information.
Dr. A. J. W. Keenan gave evidence to the effect that death was due to hemorrhage of the brain, due to a severe blow on the head. Constable M’Arthur testified to having taken possession of the body of James Richards. Constable Whalman. gave evidence of identification. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased’s death was caused by the falling of the monkey, no blame being, attached to anyone.
NOTES:– Nungarra is the name of the settlement near Sandstone before the Sandstone townsite was established. Hacks was the early name for Sandstone. James RICHARDS is buried in the Nungarra Cemetery at Black Range.
