Monday 21st May 1877 had been widely advertised in Hull as the day of a Whitsuntide Gala.
It was to be held on fields on the northern edge of the then extent of the city, off Brunswick Avenue and behind Harley Street.
The Promoter of the event was Mr James Henry Wood, a music hall manager. Amongst the attractions of shooting galleries, striking machines, swing boats, stalls including the popular refreshment of cooked peas and a firework display the most eagerly awaited was the ascent of a hot air balloon by the Aeronaut, a Mr Metcalf.
The crowd rapidly swelled and the count through the entrance was around 1000 children and 2000 adults.
For the safe operation of the “aerial monster” a rope and post circle of 40 yards was formed and with Police in attendance in anticipation of trouble from a boisterous and potentially unruly general public.
Although late in the Spring the weather was blustery and not altogether ideal for a balloon launch.
Mr Metcalf had changed his plans to match the weather forecast and had chosen to bring his 18000 cubic foot balloon rather than the usual 30000 cubic feet specimen. Nevertheless it represented a large investment for him at a cost of £250 for the India Rubber and oil infused silk cloth construction.
A special dispensation for the event was the laying onto the site of a 7 inch gas supply pipe under the supervision of the local Gas Company Inspector. This would help to rapidly inflate the balloon and further excite the assembled crowds.
The original timings were for commencement of inflation at 4pm for a 5pm ascent by Metcalf and an acquaintance, a Mr Whitaker of Hull. There was obviously some discontent in those watching that balloon rides were not being offered on a fare paying basis.
The wind was still strong at 4pm from the north north east and the ascent was progressively delayed causing yet further disquiet in the crowd. The blustery conditions abated slightly in late afternoon and a new 7.30pm launch time was decided.
The flimsy rope cordon had by now disintegrated and large groups of men, boys and young girls were within touching distance of the balloon and basket. Some 30 to 40 men helped to hold the mooring ropes as the gas was pumped in and the balloon started to rise into what was now the dusk.
There was no real co-ordination on the ground and as a consequence the still present blustery wind led to the balloon being dragged unceremoniously across the field with many hangers-on in tow. The out of control contraption was seen to catch onto a mounted bell at the top of one of the striking machines (boxing game) and this acted as an anchor but also causing a rip in the material of the balloon with a resulting escape of the gas.
The Aeronaut and his passenger were thrown clear. In a well ventilated open space the gas cloud was not necessarily a problem but what had been overlooked by the Organisers of the Gala was the presence of naked flames in the kiosks serving up the popular hot pea refreshments.
The gas, highly combustible, saturated the air as the balloon collapsed and there was a mighty flash and explosion described by the spectators as though lightning followed by dense white smoke.
Many onlookers were engulfed by the flaming debris and the melting India Rubber and oil from the tattered silk formed a sticky residue on the skin and clothing of the victims causing severe burns and related injuries.
The scene was apocalyptic as scores of injured, mostly children with severe burns were gathered up and taken to the Infirmary on Prospect Street. about half a mile away. The medical staff struggled with the influx of the 100 most affected of which 30 were critical. The age range of the afflicted was from just 12 months to 22 years.
The Infirmary Chapel was opened up as an overflow treatment area. Weeping mothers and anxious relatives were not admitted until a list of the injured was posted.
Sadly a 13 year old girl, Lucy Hanson of Goodwin Street, Hull died of her injuries. Others had life changing burns and it was not until well into the following month that the last was discharged.
At the subsequent Formal
Enquiry into the tragedy the focus of
attention was on the main protagonists of the Organiser, Aeronaut and Gas Inspector.
The former was strongly criticised for the continuation of the Gala after the
balloon explosion with further entry fees collected until 9pm and the firework display
gong ahead as planned.
Other witnesses, including from the Police, mentioned the influence on the tragic events of unruly elements in the crowd. This type of event was cited as being of typical attraction to the rougher population perhaps drunk and disorderly. There was some speculation that wagers had been made that the ascent would not go ahead and that those holding the ropes had tried to manipulate this outcome.
Indeed the catastrophe had attracted even more by way of crowds to the field by way of morbid onlookers.
Against this was the collection of donations to support the injured and affected families.
The Jury at the Enquiry came to a verdict of accidental death in the case of the unfortunate Lucy Hanson but with valuable lessons to be learned in separating gas filled balloons from potential ignition sources in such public events.
A conspiracy to
thwart the balloon launch for gambling gain was not proven.
