Diary of Sir Clement Le Neve Foster (HM Inspector of Mines) recording notes during his investigation into the Snaefell Mine Disaster, May 1897, his handwriting showing the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning on himself, whilst underground

Date(s): 14-15 May 1897

Scope & Content: Dr Clement Foster came to the Isle of Man from Llandudno to investigate the Snaefell Mine disaster.

The diary starts with notes and experiments in a clear, firm handwriting but this soon becomes slurred, the writer repeats himself and some of the passages are incoherent and illegible. The last part of the diary, presumably written at Laxey after the rescue, is a straightforward account of what happened and gives details of the physical effects on Dr Foster and others. There is more information within the the official report written by Dr Foster as part of the investigation.

On 14 May 1897 he notes in legible handwriting 'lowered mouse to a point midway between 130 + 141 left 10 mins. came up alive'. He notes the pinkness of the mouse's nose and compares it with a mouse not exposed to the mine. There are notes relating to dead mouse specimens and air samples to be sent to Dr Haldene. Also a sketch of mine shaft with coloured in part and arrows.

On Saturday 15 May Dr Foster, Captain Reddicliffe, Captain Kewley, G J Williams (assistant inspector of mines), Henry Clague, John James Kelly and six others went down the mine to recover the body of Robert Kelly, miner. The diary entries note actions. The handwriting deteriorates rapidly and is written over as Dr Foster is poisoned by gases present in the mine. He writes that Kewley went up, drinking brandy to recover whilst sitting and starts to make a note of the effects and the time, also the ringing to be rescued and no rescue. There are references to saying goodbyes to his family (some pages at a later date torn out by Dr Foster's daughter), given he thought he was going to die. Captain Kewley tried to recover Robert Kelly's corpse at a deeper level and in doing so disturbed the poisonous gases. He was sent up in the cage but whilst the others in group waited for the cage it became stuck on a rock. Some managed to climb the ladders, but some could not as they were overcome by carbon monoxide. They were eventually brought up one by one, Dr Foster last. They were rescued around 3.30pm, having been exposed to the poisoning for over two hours.

Administration / Biographical History: Sir Clement Le Neve Foster (1841-1904) geologist and mineralogist, was the son of Peter Le Neve Foster and Georgina Elizabeth Chevallier. He was appointed Inspector of Mines for SW England in 1872 and North Wales 1880 and Professor of Mining at the Royal School of Mines from 1890. Foster was knighted in 1903. He was part of the Geological Survey of England.

Whilst inspecting the Snaefell Mining disaster 'In 1897, as Inspector of Mines, he investigated the cause of an underground fire in the lead mine of Snaefell in the Isle of Man. The cage in which he had descended with an exploring party was jammed in the shaft, and the party was subjected to a process of slow poisoning by the carbon monoxide generated by the fire. All the contemporary accounts of this accident attest the courage with which, in the face of apparently certain death, Foster noted his own sensations for the benefit of science. Foster never recovered from the cardiac injury sustained during the process of gradual suffocation. For nearly a year he was incapacitated'.

The diary was used for some years by Professor Joseph Barcroft in his Physiology lectures at Cambridge to illustrate the symptomatology of carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr Foster's health was permanently affected and he died in 1904 as a result.

Language: English

Extent: 1 volume

Item name: Diary

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 07072

Retrieval number: MD 10077

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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