The Maypole Disaster been overshadowed in history by the terrible Pretoria Colliery Disaster of 1910 when 344 men and boys were killed just before Christmas. Yet, the Maypole Pit in Abram, affected the local community in exactly the same way as Pretoria. The explosion occurred on the 18th August 1908. In all 75 'men and boys' died in the blast. The photo shows men and women (right) and young boys gathered at the pit-head waiting to hear the news.
The original caption reads "The damaged shaft and scene at the pit head in aftermath of the Maypole Colliery explosion, 1908. Shows smoke ascending from the shaft through which the rescue party bravely make their way." There is however no evidence of the Rescue Team and supposed smoke is steam from the colliery steam plant. KH
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