APPALLING DISASTER AT SHEFFIELD - Eight children killed
Matthew Street, Sheffield - 25th August 1886
From the Illustrated Police Review - 2nd September 1886
On Page 4 of The News of The World dated 29th August 1886, there was the following report that was headed
"Appalling Disaster in Sheffield - Eight children killed"
"On Wednesday evening a terrible accident occurred at the works of Messrs. Daniel Doncaster and Sons, steel converters, in Sheffield. Their premises are situated in a densely populated part of the town and are skirted on the right by Matthew Street. On this was the warehouse where there was stored steel and iron bars roughly estimated at from 600 to 1,000 tons; the greater portion of this pile was stored against the wall which, in addition, supported the roofs. About 5 O'clock the wall suddenly gave way and fell into the street, carrying with it the immense mass of steel with the timbers of the roofs and slates. There was a report as of thunder but for several minutes nothing could be seen for the dense cloud of dust which rose high into the air. The people living at the opposite side of the street came to there doors in alarm and had their attention immediately attracted by the screams of two children who who had been seated close to their doorsteps and who were nearly covered by debris.. The children were liberated and found to be little injured. In the road lay the steel piled up to a height of about 10 feet, and as several children had been seen a few minutes before playing under the warehouse wall the worst fears were entertained as to their fate. the workmen of Messrs. Doncaster, of Messrs. Southern and Richardson and neighbouring firms at once commenced to remove the steel but when it is stated that some of the bars were as much as three or four man could lift the nature of the task before them may be imagined. The chief constable with a strong force of police arrived, and their services found to be very valuable in keeping back the crowd, for news of the disaster had quickly spread. and not only Matthew Street but all adjacent streets were blocked by the excited people. After some tons of metal had been removed it was decide to open passages into the mass, the more readily to ascertain whether any bodies were buried or not for the parents of five children had already reported the missing, and they were frantic with grief with the possibility of their having been crushed. The men worked with energy, and by seven o'clock one opening in the metal had been made and underneath were found the remains of three children, mangled almost beyond recognition. A stretcher was brought and the bodies were removed to a room in the works. A little later another body was found and was identified form the clothing as that of a boy called Cullingworth whose parents keep a tavern close by. The work of removing the metal now proceeded more rapidly and by nine o'clock three more bodies had been found making seven in all. By this time the authorities had satisfied themselves that if there were more bodies under the metal, of which there was still an immense mass to remove, life must be extinct, and it was decided to suspend work until next morning.
The following is a list of the dead - Martha Armitage aged 10 years and John Armitage aged two, children of John Armitage, Hoyle street: Henry Crisp aged six years whose parents live in Adelphi Street: William Cullingworth, aged seven years, son of Tom Culingworth of the Burnt Tree Tavern, Hoyle Street; Clifford Anderson aged seven years whose parents live in Burnt Tree lane; Samuel Oates, five year old son of John Oates, table blade grinder, Hoyle Street; William Henry Ward age five, son of a table blade grinder.
During an examination of the bodies, some heartrending scenes were witnessed. fathers and mothers came forward and identified their dead children by their garments which alone afforded a means of identification. Two children were also removed to the infirmary suffering from severe injuries. The wall was 25 yards long and 18 feet in height. A person who was near the spot at the time of the accident said that two sharp reports like pistol shots were heard and then a great crash and clouds of dust obscured everything as the mingled bricks and mortar and metal fell in confused masses.
Thursday morning's search among the debris revealed another body, that of Herbert Crookes aged five and a half years old. His corpse was fearfully injured, and the father could only identify it by its clothing.
On Friday, the Sheffield Coroner opened an inquest. The bodied were identified by the parents of the children and the Coroner, having granted certificates for burial, intimated his intention of having an inspection of the premises prior to taking further evidence, and adjourned the inquest for that purpose. Messrs. Doncaster expressed their great grief at the occurrence and offered the Coroner every facility in the conduct of the inquiry"
The only other reports I have is from The Times dated Thursday, August 26th 1886 which although filed the day after the tragedy does not really add to the information given by the News of The World
Another contemporary report though did give additional information
The following days edition Friday August 27th 1886 does give more detail of the aftermath
| THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT SHEFFIELD - Early yesterday morning, the workpeople of Messrs. Daniel Doncaster and Sons, steel manufacturer's of Sheffield resumed the task of clearing away the debris in Mathew street where, by the falling of a steel warehouse stacked with iron bars, several children lost their lives on Wednesday afternoon. About 8 o'clock another body was found making the number of killed eight. It was identified as that of Herbert Crookes whose father lives in Portmahon. By half past nine o'clock the bricks and iron bars had all been cleared way, no more bodies being discovered. It is fortunate that the accident occurred early in the evening, for towards 7 or 8 o'clock it was the custom for a great number of children to play together under the wall. there is very little traffic in Matthew street, and it had become to a great extent a children's playground, being in the centre of a dense working class population. The inquest will take place today |
This is all the information I have to date on the disaster. The only fact I can add to the reports is that it took place on Wednesday, 25th August 1886 at around five o'clock in the evening. This disaster is not mentioned at all as far as I can ascertain in any local history books and seems to have been forgotten at least until now. If you can supply me with any additional information, I would be grateful.
As a footnote I came across the following photograph that was taken of Matthew Street playground circa 1930. I wondered if this was a memorial of sorts to those eight children who died in the tragedy or if it was just pure co-incidence. Needless to say the playground disappeared long ago
Sources
Page 4 - The News of The World - Sunday 29th August 1886
Page 8 - The Times - Thursday, August 26th 1886
Page 3 - The Times - Friday, August 27th 1886
Illustrated Police Review - 2nd September 1886
This page was last updated on 14/04/08 12:09