During the making of the shaft a serious accident occurred. Two men were below in the shaft working at the bore, a man being at the top to hoist them, by machinery, to the surface, to be out of danger whenever, in the process of boring, an explosion was about to take place. They had arranged their explosive for a blast, had lighted the fuse, and then gave the signal to be hoisted up; but the man at the mouth of the mine had gone to sleep, their signal was disregarded, and they were left unable to help themselves. The explosion took place; one of them, William East by name, was killed, and his body much mangled; the other man, Tyler, was seriously injured, but escaped with his life. {8a} A poem was written on the occasion by Mr. John Sharpe, of Kirkstead, {8b} which I here give. The rural muse was somewhat unclassical in those days, and versions vary, but it was in the main as follows:— It was early one morning, the 15th of June, I was called from my bed by a sorrowful tune; With sad lamentations a mother appeared, And sad were the tidings I then from her heard. {8c} “Our William,” she said, “has been killed in the pit; Another is injured, but not dead yet. By firing some powder to blow up the stone, Poor William was killed, and he died with a groan.” I put on my clothes, and I hastened away. Till I came to the place where poor William lay. He lay on some sacks all covered with gore: A sight so distressing, I ne’er saw before. I inwardly thought, as his wounds were laid bare. How many before had been slain in the war. {8d} In a moment of time he was summoned away; How needful that we, too, should watch and should pray. The Lord help us all through our hopes and our fears, To live to his praise all our days and years.