William Henry BENNETT

   Another name for William was William Henry BENNETTS.

   Research Notes:

" FATAL MINING CASUALTY.

Moonta. November 14.

A fatal accident occurred at the Moonta Mine to-day by which three men were killed. The names of the men killed are James Crabb, William H. Bennetts (married, with families), and Edward Quintrell, married but having no children. Two brothers named Arthur were severely injured, and others with them had a miraculous escape. The accident happened in the eighty-five-fathom level of Hughes's shaft, and was caused by two men exploding a blast without giving the warning prescribed by the Mines Regulations. The affair has caused a profound sensation, and there were a great many miners present at the inquest, which was held at the Mines Institute before Mr. Thomas Davies, J.P., Mayor of Wallaroo. Mr. Maddern was chosen Foreman of the Jury.

Malachi Deeble, captain, deposed as to the mine regulation requiring that before exploding a bole the 'pare' should go, one man to each thoroughfare, crying 'Fire' in a loud voice. All the employees were cognisant of this.

Walter Arthur, one of the injured, deposed that about 2 o'clock in the afternoon he was with others at the eighty-five-fathom level of Hughes's shaft. Heard the report, and was struck by the debris from blast. He was knocked down and injured, and his brother behind him was much injured in the bowels, and was unable to attend the inquest. Crabb was walking along the level first, Bennetts and Quintrell next, and witness and brother last. Did not hear ' Fire' called out. All were on the usual thoroughfare.

John Roberts, one of the men belonging to the 'pare' who fired the blast, was duly cautioned. He said he fired the hole in the afternoon, and sang out ' Fire, look out boys,' several times loudly. The hole was charged with dynamite. The draught playing in the direction the men came would carry smoke, and did not go there because smoke injured him. He and his mate went in the opposite direction together. Stayed at six fathoms from the hole so that if the men came that way they would hear his voice. Did not expect the men as he thought it was too early. Always made it a practice to go each way, and only omitted that day. Knew it was a rule to do so. Saw the explosion and also a light, which he knew was not from the hole. Called to his mate that there was a man killed. Ran in and saw three lying at the bottom of the level. Raised Crabb, who was breathing, and spoke to him but got no answer. By the Foreman- When I lit the fuse I had no thought of breaking the rules. The down men passed the thoroughfare where the accident occurred every day. If I had gone in a northerly direction, from which the men came, probably the accident would not have happened. Only saw the men returning as the explosion occurred. They would probably expect to be warned. The hole was a back hole, and it was expected to throw the burden down. If it had done this neither of the men would have been injured. Had a light which could be seen eight or nine fathoms off. Was almost unconscious after the accident.

Samuel Tripp, mate of the last witness, mainly corroborated Mr. Robert's evidence. He said Roberts fired tho hole, and it was the custom for him who did so to go north. Was unaware that Roberts came in the same direction as himself till the explosion. Roberts was afterward much frightened. Had he fired the hole knowing it was so near to knock off time he would not have gone the same way that Roberts did. Dr. A___ deposed as to the nature of the injuries received by the deceased men, two of whom were fearfully mutilated. The other [illegible] unimportant and after an hour's deliberation the jury returned a verdict that deceased came? by his death through an explosion in a hole at the eighty-five-fathom level in Hughes's shaft, Moonta Mines, and that the loss of life was caused by John Roberts neglecting to do his duty in not complying with the regulations of the mine."

South Australian Register, Friday 15 November 1878

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Died aged 42 years (burial record).

   Marriage Information:

William married Lavinia MOYSE, daughter of Robert MOYSE and Mariah LAUNDRY, in 1860 in Burra District, S.A., Australia. (Lavinia MOYSE was born in 1833 in Menheniot, Cornwall, christened on 26 May 1833 in Menheniot, Cornwall and died on 1 Dec 1914 in Sussex St., Glenelg, Adelaide, S.A., Australia.)