Now! Then! Tragedy interrupts the first day of a great cricket match between 15 Sheffield and 11 Nottingham men in the new ground at Darnall (Sheffield)

26 August 1822: Tragedy interrupts the first day of a great cricket match between 15 Sheffield and 11 Nottingham men in the new ground at Darnall (Sheffield)

Contemporary engraving showing the cricket ground at Darnall, Sheffield, which was created for the Wednesday Cricket Club in 1821, enlarged in 1824, and replaced in 1826 (Anon 1821-26).

Sheffield Iris. 1822/08/31. Great Cricket-match and Dreadful Accident at Darnal. Leeds Mercury. Leeds. Get it:

Excerpt

The contest having excited a peculiar interest in and around the town, the concourse of spectators was proportionately great; never, perhaps, on any occasion, was witnessed an assemblage at once so numerous and respectable. Sheffield seemed almost to pour out the principal part of its population, the roads being literally covered all the morning with crowds hasting to the scene of the expected enjoyment. Little was it then suspected that before the expiration of the day the pleasure of it was to be dashed with one of the most afflicting accidents that we have had to record for some time back. The playing commenced; the weather, with the exception of one shower, was highly favourable, and all went on well, till about four o’clock, when a large extent of scaffolding, which had been fitted up on the ground, near the roadside, for the accommodation of several thousands of spectators, having nine tiers of seats, and being near forty yards long, suddenly gave way, and precipitated its unfortunate tenants one over the other to the ground. Shrieks, screams, and groans rent the air on all sides, and the scene of confusion which ensued was indescribably affecting. Every hand was instantly engaged in extricating the sufferers, every possible accommodation offered, and every vehicle put in requisition to convey them away to their respective homes. It is with painful feelings that we have to add, that two persons were killed on the spot, and between 40 and 50 more or less maimed. Late on Monday night, 23 cases had been admitted to the infirmary, four or five of which were pronounced very dangerous.

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.
Abbreviations:

ER: East Riding
GM: Greater Manchester
NR: North Riding
NY: North Yorkshire
SY: South Yorkshire
WR: West Riding
WY: West Yorkshire

Comment

Via Paul Smith, who comments:

This and subsequent developments at Darnall indicate the casual and
transitory nature of the game in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Even though
it housed a large crowd and was the scene of many more matches over a number of years,
the new ground had little in the way of infrastructure. Much of the tiered seating was
created by temporary scaffolding and facilities for players and spectators were in marquees
and tents erected for the occasion. Clearly if this was the case for the premier ground of the
region it is likely that other clubs had little in the way of permanent facilities. They too, were
usually dependant on rented facilities, and very much beholden to private landlords (Smith 2013)

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Original

Great Cricket-Match and dreadful Accident at Darnal-The great Cricket Match between 15 Sheffield and 11 Nottingham players, for which great preparations have latterly been making on the new ground, at Darnal, near this place, commenced on Monday fore-noon. The contest having excited a peculiar interest in and around the town, the concourse of spectators was proportionately great; never, perhaps, on any occasion, was witnessed an assemblage at once so numerous and respectable. Sheffield seemed almost to pour out the principal part of its population, the roads being literally covered all the morning with crowds hasting to the scene of the expected enjoyment. Little was it then suspected, that before the expiration of the day, the pleasure of it was to be dashed with one of the most afflicting accidents that we have had to record for some time back. The playing commenced; the weather, with the exception of one shower, was highly favourable, and all went on well, till about four o’clock, when a large extent of scaffolding, which had been fitted up on the ground, near the roadside, for the accommodation of several thousands of spectators, having nine tiers of seats, and being near forty yards long, suddenly gave way, and precipitated its unfortunate tenants one over the other to the ground. Shrieks, screams, and groans, rent the air on all sides; and the scene of confusion which ensued was indescribably affecting. Every hand was instantly engaged in extricating the sufferers; every possible accommodation offered; and every vehicle put in requisition to convey them away to their respective homes. It is with painful feelings that we have to add, that two persons were killed on the spot, and between forty and fifty more or less maimed. We dare not vouch for our correctness, although we have endeavoured to gain the best information we were able; but amidst so much distressing confusion, the extent of the mischief cannot with accuracy be yet ascertained, and even the names of the parties we could not procure. Late on Monday night, 23 cases had been admitted to the Infirmary, four or five of which were pronounced very dangerous. Sheffield Iris.

359 words.