Durham Mining Museum - Whitehaven Colliery (original) (raw)

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Location: Whitehaven1 miles [1 km] SW of Whitehaven
Map Ref: (Sheet 89) NX965176, 54° 32' 35" N, 3° 36' 0" W
Opened:
Closed: 1985
Pits: Croft Pit, locn: (Sheet 89) NX965158 (See also Howgill Colliery)
Duke Pit, locn: (Sheet 89) NX968180 (See also Howgill Colliery)
Haig Pit, opened: 1914 (See also Haig Colliery)
Henry Pit
Ladysmith Pit
Wellington Pit, locn: (Sheet 89) NX966183 (See also Wellington Colliery)
William Pit, locn: (Sheet 89) NX973191, closed: 1954 (See also William Colliery)
Owners: 1740s - Sir James Lowther
1860s - Earl of Lonsdale
1900s - Whitehaven Colliery Co.
1930s - Whitehaven Colliery Co. Ltd.
1930s - Priestman Whitehaven Collieries Ltd.
1940s - Cumberland Coal Co. (Whitehaven) Ltd.
1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output: 1855 - Coal.
1860 - Coal.
1865 - Coal.
1882 - Croft - Coal.
1883 - Coal.
1888 - Croft - Coal.
1888 - Henry - Coal.
1888 - Wellington - Coal.
1890 - Croft - Coal.
1890 - Henry - Coal.
1890 - Wellington - Coal.
1894 - Coal: Household, Steam.
1896 - Croft - Coal: Household, Steam.
1900 - Croft - Coal: Household, Steam.
1902 - Croft - Coal: Household, Steam.
1905 - Croft - Coal: Household, Steam.
1910 - Ladysmith - Coal: Household, Steam.
1915 - Ladysmith - Coal: Household, Steam.
1921 - Ladysmith - Coal: Coking, Household, Steam.
1925 - Ladysmith - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Steam.
1930 - Haig/Wellington - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Steam.
1930 - Ladysmith - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1935 - Haig/Wellington - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Steam.
1948 - Haig/Wellington - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Steam.
1949 - Haig - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1950 - Haig/Wellington - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Steam.
Employment: Year Pit TotalScale Below Above 189445836395 1896Croft564452112 1900Croft626504122 1902Croft478369109 1905Croft548414134 1910Ladysmith787572215 1915Ladysmith609439170 1915Nos. 4 and 5812457 1915Nos. 4 and 5_Sinking_ Total690463227 1921Ladysmith723523200 1925Ladysmith840612228 1930Haig/Wellington1,4711,163308 1930Haig/Wellington_Haig & Wellington_ 1930Ladysmith459347112 Total1,9301,510420 1935Haig/Wellington1,2761,047229 1935Haig/Wellington_Discontinued 10/35_ 1945Haig/Wellington1,3151,030285 1945Haig/Wellington_Haig & Wellington_ 1948Haig/Wellington1,7091,336373 1948Haig/Wellington_Haig & Wellington_ 1949Haig1,7121,326386 1950Haig/Wellington1,3681,045323 1950Haig/Wellington_Haig & Wellington_
Manager Colliery Management (prior to 1970)
Seams Worked: 1905 - Croft - Main Band
1910 - Ladysmith - Bannock Band, Main Band
1915 - Ladysmith - Bannock Band, Main Band
1921 - Ladysmith - Bannock Band, Main Band
1925 - Ladysmith - Bannock Band, Main Band
1930 - Haig/Wellington - Bannock Band, Main Band, Six Quarters
1930 - Ladysmith - Bannock Band, Main Band
1935 - Haig/Wellington - Bannock Band, Main Band, Six Quarters [Discontinued 10/35]
1948 - Haig/Wellington - Bannock Band, Main Band
1949 - Haig - Bannock Band, Main Band
1950 - Haig/Wellington - Bannock Band, Main Band, Metal Band, Yard Band
Abandoned Seams Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Whitehaven Colliery
Notes: 1878 - Abandoned
1933, 04 Nov - Bannock, Six Quarters, Main seams abandoned
Incident Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Whitehaven Colliery

Description

Disasters (5 or more killed)

| | 6th | Aug | 1828 | | Explosion, 6 lives lost (Show Names) | | ----------- | ------- | -------- | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | 12th | Nov | 1831 | | Explosion, 23 lives lost (Show Names) | | | 11th | Jan | 1844 | | Explosion, 11 lives lost (Show Names) | | | 28th | Jun | 1855 | | Explosion of gas, 5 lives lost (Show Names) |

Names of those killed at this colliery

Please note that this collection of names is by no means complete!

In Memoriam

| | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Armstrong, -, 08 Apr 1839, Miner, shaft accident | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Armstrong, Joseph, 14 Jul 1836, Overlooker, crushed by stone whilst building the engine house | | | | | Individal page | | | | Askew, Thomas, 07 Mar 1883, aged 45, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Atcheson, John, jnr., 11 Jan 1844, aged 22, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, unmarried, brother of Launcelot Atcheson, address: Front Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Atcheson, Launcelot, 11 Jan 1844, aged 20, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, unmarried, brother of John Atcheson, address: Front Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Atkinson, James, 27 Jan 1891, 5:30 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 64, Hewer, deceased foolishly attempted to cross between the tubs of an empty set while in motion [Inspection made & Inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Atkinson, James, 17 Jun 1903, aged 40, Hewer, Deceased worked in a solid place, 6 yards wide, going to the rise in the Main Band, which is here 7 feet thick. The roof in the district is generally good, but in this place the presence of several glassy slips and small hitches had caused some timber to be used, which was set by special men known as "joiners." Notwithstanding the timber set, a large stone fell between the last pair of gears and the face. There was not sufficient supply of timber near the place, although there was plenty at the bank head some distance away. It would have been prudent, considering the character of the roof, to have had supports nearer the face. | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Attlebarrow, William, 06 Aug 1828, killed in the 1828 disaster [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Bainbridge, Albert, 09 Jan 1906, aged 9, [Not employed], Several boys were playing in a waggon with side doors owned by the Furness Railway Company which was standing in a siding at a pit called Kells pit not far from the Croft pit. The side doors were left securely fastened but some of the boys withdrew the pins holding one of them up and it fell and caught deceased on the head. | | | | | Individal page | | | | Barlow, Lonsdale, 19 Dec 1872, aged 14, Driver, run over by waggons | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Bateman, Joseph, 20 Apr 1842, (accident: 19 Apr 1842), explosion of gas | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Beck, Charles, 31 May 1927, aged 55, Deputy Overman, heart attack underground | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Bennett, Richard, 23 Feb 1861, aged 15, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Bent, John, 28 Dec 1824, killed by an explosion of gas [date of newspaper report] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Birney, William, 02 Sep 1867, aged 18, Driver, run over by train | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Black, Walter, 13 Aug 1852, aged 48, killed by a fall of coal from the roof | | | | | Individal page | | | | Bolton, John, 12 Nov 1831, aged 35, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Bells Lane [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Bradley, James Ramsey, 15 Jun 1908, aged 34, Labourer, scaffold gave way while placing iron girders in position | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Bradshaw, Frank, 06 Aug 1828, killed in the 1828 disaster [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Braithwaite, Isaac, 08 Mar 1910, aged 30, Waggoner, crushed by wagons | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Brockbank, Jane, 31 Dec 1919, aged 70, killed in a coal pit | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Brown, Joseph, 11 Jan 1844, aged 26, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married has three children, address: Back Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Burney, George Ivison, 11 Jul 1917, aged 58, killed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | | | Burns, Hugh, 28 May 1847, aged 36, Hagger, suffocated and burnt by the accidental explosion of sulphurated hydrogen in the main band of Croft Pit [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cannon, Daniel Alfred, 11 Mar 1891, 5:50 p.m., 12th hour of shift, aged 29, Locomotive Fireman, deceased got between two waggons to uncouple them, and in attempting to pass between the buffers was caught and crushed [Inspection made & Inquest attended} | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cartmill, Henry, 19 Nov 1891, 3:15 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 18, Driver, caught by the set on the engine plane [Inspection made & Inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Chalmers, Ernest, 09 Jan 1904, aged 18, Driver, fall of coal [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Clockson, George, 09 Nov 1840, aged 55, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Clockson, George, 11 Jan 1844, Hagger, explosion of fire damp [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Closson, John, 19 Jan 1855, aged 16, Driver, run over by rollies | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cockbain, John, 10 Sep 1907, aged 68, Shiftman, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...] | | | Report | | Individal page | | | | Colvin, Thomas, 25 Apr 1882, 11:15 p.m., aged 65, Pumper, explosion of firedamp [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Comash, Stephen, 17 Mar 1880, aged 47, Hewer, crushed by tubs, set ran amain on incline [Inquest: 18 Mar 1880 & 24 Mar 1880] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Convery, James, 28 Jun 1855, aged 28, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cook, Robert, 12 Nov 1831, aged 19, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Front Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cooper, John, 16 Jan 1877, (accident: 10 Jan 1877), aged 18, Driver, crushed by tubs getting off the road | | | | | Individal page | | | | Corlett, Thomas, 03 Jul 1878, aged 40, Drifter, explosion of a shot while drawing a pricker | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Corran, Patrick, 25 Jun 1834, aged 18, Miner, killed after being trapped in the rope | | | | | Individal page | | | | Coulthard, John, 20 Aug 1890, 3:50 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 30, Hewer, caught by tubs on engine plane | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Cowan, Benjamin, jnr., 11 Jan 1844, aged 21, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married has no family, address: Mount Pleasant [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cowan, John, 10 Nov 1887, aged 13, Knocker, crushed by tubs on engine plane | | | | | Individal page | | | | Cowen, John, 06 Mar 1902, aged 54, Hewer, deceased and two other hewers were walking outbye on an endless rope haulage road, and immediately after passing a full set they met an empty set coming inbye ; instead of returning 8 yards back to a refuge hole, deceased tried to stand between the side of the road and the empty set, but was knocked down and dragged along by the tubs | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Cowser, John, 08 Nov 1929, (accident: 16 Oct 1929), aged 65, Hewer, he was injured on October 17th by a fall of side coal, had a leg amputated on November 3rd, and died on November 8th | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Currey, Thomas J., 11 May 1919, (accident: 04 Jun 1915), aged 62, Miner, death caused by stricture, by deceased having been accidentally run over | | | | | Individal page | | | | Currie, James, 16 Apr 1901, aged 57, Sinker, shaft collapsed, [Inspection made & inquest attended.] [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Curwen, Jonathan, 14 Sep 1858, aged 19, Driver, died from the kick from a pony | | | | | Individal page | | | | Dale, Abraham, 11 Sep 1894, aged 42, Dock Labourer, was killed whilst shipping coal by a waggon leaving the rails and crushing him against the fence of the staging [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Daley, John, 07 Jul 1875, Driver, crushed by cage [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Davey, Michael, 12 Nov 1831, aged 26, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Back Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Davidson, William, 28 Oct 1840, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Dixon, John, 22 Jan 1870, aged 22, Miner, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | | | Dixon, Thomas Holiday, 15 May 1906, (accident: 05 May 1906), aged 32, Hewer, On May 5 deceased was working in the Main band, William pit, and he said something to another miner about having slipped on the flat sheets at the entrance to his place. As he went home, after finishing his shift, he saw a doctor, who examined him in the open air, and told him he had influenza and was unfit for work. He laid up until May 15, when he went back to work, but had just taken his coat off when he complained of feeling very unwell, and shortly afterwards fainted and died. An inquest was opened and adjourned for a post-mortem examination, which showed that death was due to heart disease following pneumonia. | | | | | Individal page | | | | Dixon, William, 05 Mar 1910, (accident: 17 Jan 1910), aged 64, Shifter, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | Duffy, Michael, 24 Jul 1876, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Edgar, Thomas, 05 Feb 1920, (accident: 19 Jan 1920), aged 33, Miner, knocked down by a tub, died in Whitehaven Infirmary, address: Main-street, Sandwith | | | | | Individal page | | | | Eghram, William, 05 Jun 1874, aged 54, Labourer, fall of an arch which they were engaged in building [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Else, John Beastall, 16 Apr 1901, aged 59, Sinker, shaft collapsed, [Inspection made & inquest attended.], Buried: St. Mary's Parish Church graveyard, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Evans, Thomas, 05 Apr 1911, aged 23, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | Fagan, William, 08 Mar 1898, aged 63, Lamp Examiner, Deceased, who was employed at the underground lamp room, had for some reason gone on to the engine plane, and was knocked down by an empty set [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Farrar, Thomas, 18 Oct 1924, 8.15 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 40, Shift Hand, Deceased and three others were sent by the deputy to repair the roof on a haulage road where a small fall of roof had taken place. They had set five temporary props at the outbye side of the fall and two of the men were preparing to set another, while the two deceased went over to the inbye side to set some props there. They were standing together viewing the roof when a further fall took place, and a large panel of stone several yards square in area and 6 ins. thick fell on them. Each had his skull and a leg fractured and were killed instantly ; address: 18, Yeathouse Road, Frizington [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Fee, Thomas, 07 Mar 1913, aged 23, Hewer, deceased was hewing the bottom coal in a headway, when a large stone fell from the lip of a fault and a slip at the coal face | | | Report | | Individal page | | | | Finch, Henry, 25 Apr 1882, 11:15 p.m., aged 34, Pumper, explosion of firedamp, Buried: Hensingham Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Fitzsimmons, Christopher, 12 Nov 1831, aged 14, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Forbes, George William, 24 Apr 1890, 11:00 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 17, Waggonman, fell off a waggon which was in motion and was killed | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Ford, William, 27 Mar 1827, Miner [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Forster, John, 17 Jul 1852, aged 37, roof fall in coal pit | | | | | Individal page | | | | Garraway, Alexander, 12 Nov 1831, aged 18, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, brother of Robert [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Garraway, Robert, 12 Nov 1831, aged 12, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Bells' Lane, brother of Alexander [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Garrity, Henry, 08 Jan 1907, (accident: 19 Jan 1906), aged 32, Hewer, hit by tubs [More information ...] | | | Report | | Individal page | | | | Geddes, James, 25 Apr 1882, 11:15 p.m., aged 36, Hewer, explosion of firedamp, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Gibbon, Bernard, 16 Apr 1901, aged 39, Sinker, shaft collapsed, [Inspection made & inquest attended.] [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Gibson, Peter, 03 Nov 1868, aged 14, Driver, crushed by a rolley | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Gill, Charles, 18 Apr 1836, Banker, fell down the shaft | | | | | Individal page | | | | Graham, John, 12 Nov 1831, aged 17, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Graham, John, 27 Jun 1834, aged 53, Miner, killed by a fall of roof, Buried: St. Bees on 29 Jun 1834 | | | | | Individal page | | | | Graham, John, 28 Nov 1894, 11:20 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 13, Screen Lad, It is supposed that the deceased was crossing over the railway and got crushed between the trucks. No one appears to have seen the accident [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Graham, William John, 16 Jul 1918, aged 17, Boggy Hand, crushed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Grave, Jane, 12 Jan 1819, aged 13, Trapper, slipped by the side of the basket when getting in and fell down the shaft, Buried: St. Nicholas Churchyard on 13 Jan 1819 | | | | | Individal page | | | | Green, Henry, 16 Mar 1910, aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | | | Gribbin, John, 12 Dec 1905, aged 55, Hewer [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Hagan, William, 28 Jun 1855, aged 51, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Haigh, Henry, 15 Dec 1893, 7:00 p.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 29, Hewer, Deceased was travelling on an engine plane towards the shaft, when an empty "set" got detached from the rope, and whilst attempting to get into a refuge hole the deceased was caught and run over [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Hailes, Joseph, 28 Apr 1918, aged 45, killed by a fall from the roof | | | | | Individal page | | | | Hanay, Hugh, 12 Nov 1831, aged 25, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Harrison, Alexander Brown, 08 Feb 1875, aged 25, Knocker, run over by tubs on an engine plane, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery | | | | | Individal page | | | | Harrison, Thomas, 03 May 1893, 12:00 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 44, Contractor, The deceased was engaged making a new travelling road through some old workings. Instead of taking a large stone down he attempted to set props under it to support it, and when doing so the stone fell on him [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Henderson, Robert, 10 Sep 1849, (accident: 08 Sep 1849), aged 12, crushed between tubs and wall | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Hewetson, William George, 31 Jul 1925, aged 53, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof, address: Buttermere Avenue, Kells | | | | | Individal page | | | | Horrocks, Thomas, 19 Mar 1903, aged 27, Bricklayers Labourer, fall of roof, address: Strand Street, Whitehaven, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Horrocks, Walter, 03 Feb 1920, (accident: 28 Jan 1920), aged 24, Miner, was on a clutch bogie, used for haulage purposes, and owing to the breaking of the haulage rope the tubs came in contact with the clutch bogie, as a result of which his right leg was broken in two places; although he was removed by ambulance to the Infirmary and the injured limb amputated, deceased gradually became weaker; address: Ladysmith Cottages, Sunnyhill | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Hughes, Bernard McAmarty, 11 Jan 1844, aged 27, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married has one child, address: Front Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Hughes, Hugh, 02 Jul 1903, aged 40, Stoneman, Ten shots were to be fired at the face of a stone drift. Two shots charged with geloxite were connected to the battery, to be fired first as sumping shots, but only one exploded. Deceased and three other men went to the face, and were examining it when a large stone fell off the face upon him. | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Hutchinson, Thomas, 06 Jan 1917, aged 63, Miner, died from shock following on a wound received from shot firing, address: 20, Mid Street, Kells | | | | | Individal page | | | | Ingleby, Clement, 12 Nov 1831, aged 20, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Johnston, Thomas, 26 Feb 1883, aged 34, Shunter, run over by waggons on surface | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Kelly, John, 28 May 1847, aged 19, Hagger, suffocated and burnt by the accidental explosion of sulphurated hydrogen in the main band of Croft Pit [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Kichen, Nicholas, 18 Oct 1924, 8.15 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 62, Shifthand, Deceased and three others were sent by the deputy to repair the roof on a haulage road where a small fall of roof had taken place. They had set five temporary props at the outbye side of the fall and two of the men were preparing to set another, while the two deceased went over to the inbye side to set some props there. They were standing together viewing the roof when a further fall took place, and a large panel of stone several yards square in area and 6 ins. thick fell on them. Each had his skull and a leg fractured and were killed instantly ; address: Harmless Hill, Whitehaven [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Kinrade, William, 04 Dec 1894, 9:00 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 44, Hewer, A fall of stone took place near the goaf edge where deceased was working and caught his arm, and he died afterwards from the injuries received [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Kinsella, Patrick, 16 Apr 1901, aged 45, Sinker, shaft collapsed, [Inspection made & inquest attended.] [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Kitchen, Christopher, 10 Jan 1844, aged 16, fell out of the basket to the bottom on the shaft [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Knowles, John, 27 Oct 1892, aged 18, [Not employed], was engaged by a butcher in Whitehaven to drive two cows to a farm in the neighbourhood, and in passing over a self-acting incline which led up to Croft Pit the animals got alarmed and rushed into an adjoining brick-yard; deceased was driving them back across the incline when he noticed that the waggons were approaching, and in his endeavours to get the cows out of danger was caught by the waggons and cut to pieces | | | | | Individal page | | | | Leach, Thomas, 11 May 1897, aged 31, Roadman, The set was on the engine plane when one of the drag bars broke and part of the set got fast. Deceased and others had lifted a tub from the full to the empty road and placed it behind the bogie. He was lowering the set down in the ordinary way when he lost control, and, on jumping from the bogie, slipped, and was caught by the tub behind him [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Lennon, Daniel, 10 Jan 1844, aged 21, fell out of the basket to the bottom on the shaft [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Lilly, John Cleator, 05 Jan 1909, aged 32, Hewer, fall of roof stone at face of pointing | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Little, James, 26 Mar 1861, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Little, Robert, 12 Nov 1831, aged 20, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, brother of William [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Little, William, 12 Nov 1831, aged 21, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, brother of Robert [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Longcake, James, 10 Dec 1875, aged 36, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Lorton, Isaac, 06 Aug 1828, killed in the 1828 disaster [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | MacDonald, James, 20 Jun 1885, aged 41, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Mackereth, George William, 23 Aug 1922, Miner, died in the Infirmary from injuries received while at work at the new brake top | | | | | Individal page | | | | McAllister, Hector, 12 Nov 1831, aged 20, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Front Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McCartney, John, 22 Oct 1870, aged 17, Driver, crushed by tubs | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | McCashem, John, 11 Jan 1844, aged 27, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married, has two children, address: West Strand [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McColley, John, 15 Mar 1875, aged 17, Waggon Driver, run over by a waggon on the surface | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | McGarry, John, 24 Jul 1852, (accident: 13 Jul 1852), aged 63, was so severely injured by a basket of coals slipping off the tramway and falling upon him, that he died from his injuries | | | | | Individal page | | | | McGaughin, Archibald, 12 Nov 1831, aged 23, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses, brother of John [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McGaughin, John, 12 Nov 1831, aged 13, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses, brother of Arthur [More information ...] | | | Report | | Individal page | | | | McGuiness, John, 25 Apr 1882, 11:15 p.m., aged 21, Pumper, explosion of firedamp, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | McGuiness, Peter, 21 Dec 1841, aged 75, he was killed by a coal-laden wagon passing over his body, on the railway between Wilson Pit and Croft Pit | | | | | Individal page | | | | McGurk, John, 07 Oct 1879, aged 19, Driver, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McIntyre, John, 24 Mar 1870, aged 30, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | McKinney, Anne, 16 Aug 1905, aged 11, [Not employed - Schoolgirl], The coal from the Croft pit is taken by a locomotive to an incline, down which the wagons are run to the harbour. The road inclines a little from the pit. A train of 18 loaded wagons was being taken to the incline, and in some way the last wagon became uncoupled, and deceased, who was trespassing on the railway collecting coal that had fallen from the trains, had not noticed the uncoupled wagon, which followed the train and ran by gravity, and she was caught by it. The coupling is a chain and pin, and some of the couplings were not in very good order [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McLaughlin, Dan, 1830, [approximate date] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McLoughlin, Thomas, 08 Jan 1894, 5:15 p.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 29, Stoneman, He had just fired a shot with a battery in a stone drift, when a stone fell from the side, about 40 yards from the face, on to his head, injuring him in such a manner as to cause his death some days after [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McMinn, John, 12 Nov 1831, aged 17, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Ginns [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | McMullen, Alexander, 14 Aug 1858, (accident: 12 Aug 1858), aged 35, Hewer, explosion of firedamp ignited by a naked light [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | McMullen, William, 28 May 1847, aged 33, Hagger, suffocated and burnt by the accidental explosion of sulphurated hydrogen in the main band of Croft Pit [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McQueen, Arthur, 12 Nov 1831, aged 9, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses, son of James [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | McQueen, James, 12 Nov 1831, aged 40, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses, father of Arthur [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Mebbins, George, 06 Aug 1828, killed in the 1828 disaster [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Miller, Thomas, 31 Oct 1882, aged 19, Waggoner, crushed between truck and column supporting the screens | | | | | Individal page | | | | Morgan, Michael, 16 Nov 1853, aged 86, falling a depth of ten fathoms or thereabouts down the shaft of the William Pit coalmine while descending in a corve or basket lowered by steam engine and which accidentally became partly tilted and upset | | | | | Individal page | | | | Morris, Cormick, 12 Nov 1831, aged 60, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Front Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Morrison, William, 04 Jun 1841, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Morton, Timothy, 07 Jan 1851, aged 31, roof fall in colliery | | | | | Individal page | | | | Mossop, Dixon, 05 Jun 1874, aged 34, Mason, fall of an arch which they were engaged in building [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Mossop, John, 19 Mar 1903, aged 23, Bricklayers Labourer, fall of roof, address: Woodville Terrace, Whitehaven, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Munro, Nathaniel, 06 Aug 1828, aged 20, killed in the 1828 disaster, of Newhouses, Buried: St. Nichola's on the 08 Aug 1828 [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Nicholson, William, 06 Mar 1894, 6:30 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 25, Labourer, The deceased was opening a gate to allow a locomotive and waggons to pass, which were coming down an incline, and apparently had not been able to get out of the way before they caught him. His leg was broken, and he died after being removed to the infirmary [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Nulty, Edward, 28 Aug 1840, aged 18, fell down the shaft | | | | | Individal page | | | | Nulty, William, 10 Apr 1889, aged 25, Hewer, run over by a set of tubs on the engine plane | | | | | Individal page | | | | Orr, Matthew, 29 Sep 1887, aged 22, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | | | Parkinson, Robert William, 16 Jul 1909, aged 17, Bogie-lad, crushed between bogie and tub | | | | | Individal page | | | | Parleton, George, 12 Nov 1831, aged 32, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Back Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Pladdy, Peter, 11 Jan 1844, aged 23, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married has one child, address: Castle Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Postlethwaite, William, 02 Sep 1858, (accident: 12 Aug 1858), Deputy, explosion of firedamp ignited by a naked light [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Powe, Thomas, 13 Feb 1912, aged 71, Wasteman, as he was walking in-bye along a slow-moving endless rope plane he walked into a full set coming out-bye, he and his mate having crossed over into the full road to let an empty set pass | | | | | Individal page | | | | Reay, Edward, 10 Aug 1871, aged 13, Greaser, run over by a rolley | | | | | Individal page | | | | Reay, James, 1896, aged 13, [Not employed], James Reay, aged 13, was trespassing on the line near Croft Pit, Whitehaven, for the purpose of gathering coals, and had got on to a train of empty waggons for a ride. He had slung round his neck a bag and a rope attached to it, and the latter appears to have wrapped round the axle of one of the waggons, and he was strangled [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Reece, Michael, 28 May 1847, aged 19, Hagger, suffocated and burnt by the accidental explosion of sulphurated hydrogen in the main band of Croft Pit [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Regan, Charles, 11 Dec 1867, aged 63, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal and stone | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Richardson, Robert, 02 Feb 1843, (accident: 31 Jan 1843), aged 17, killed by an explosion of gas | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Robinson, William, jnr., 11 Jan 1844, aged 19, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, son of William (snr) [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Robinson, William, snr., 11 Jan 1844, aged 47, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married, has seven children, three of whom were working were working in the pit at the time of the accident, father of William (jnr), address: Comyn's Lane [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Rooke, James, 05 Apr 1914, (accident: 30 Mar 1914), aged 16, Surface Lad, deceased had been assisting to fill tubs with cement, when a set of wagons which were passing caught the tub and crushed him against a wall; he died on 5th April, 1914 | | | | | Individal page | | | | Russell, Thomas, 21 Jun 1911, aged 39, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone | | | | | Individal page | | | | Ryan, James, 31 Dec 1871, aged 12, Wailer, suffocated by coal dust under the screens | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Salaney, Thomas, 11 Jan 1844, aged 22, Hagger, explosion of fire damp, married, has one child, address: Middle Row [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Sayle, Charles, 21 Mar 1910, (accident: 08 Dec 1909), aged 61, Screen Inspector, hand caught by belt | | | | | Individal page | | | | Scawcroft, William, 25 Mar 1893, aged 22, died in the Whitehaven Infirmary, after undergoing an operation for rupture; it was stated that he strained himself in the pit about a fortnight before his death, but there was evidence of it, and it was known that the rupture was of long standing; no inquest was held | | | | | Individal page | | | | Shepherd, John, 11 Nov 1891, 2:00 p.m., 8th hour of shift, aged 29, Sheave Oiler, deceased was riding on a "clutch bogie" attached to a set of tubs, when it got off the way and threw him before the tubs, killing him instantly [Inspection made & Inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Shepherd, Joseph, 26 Mar 1861, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Shilton, William, 12 Aug 1858, Hewer, explosion of firedamp ignited by a naked light [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Skelly, Margaret Ann, 27 Jul 1906, (accident: 23 Jul 1906), aged 17, Screener, crushed by screens [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Smith, Edward, 28 Jun 1855, aged 19, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, Hugh, 12 Nov 1831, aged 27, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, James, 29 Aug 1904, (accident: 10 Feb 1904), aged 26, Trailer [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, Mike, 1830, [approximate date] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Smith, Robert, 17 Jul 1861, aged 13, fractured skull when entering cage | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, Robert, 02 Feb 1889, aged 26, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Smith, Thomas, 28 Jun 1855, aged 19, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, Thomas, 04 Feb 1904, aged 71, Timberer [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, Thomas, 25 Nov 1911, aged 47, Overman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Whitehaven New Cemetery | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Smith, William, 28 Jun 1855, aged 17, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Spedding, Carlisle, 08 Aug 1755, aged 59, Steward of Coal Mines, explosion of firedamp, Buried: Holy Trinity on 10 Aug 1755 | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Steele, Henry, 09 Nov 1851, fell down shaft | | | | | Individal page | | | | Storey, George Goffet, 10 Feb 1872, aged 20, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | Taylor, Abraham, 12 Nov 1831, aged 8, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Taylor, Andrew, 07 Oct 1836, Miner, killed by a fall of roof | | | | | Individal page | | | | Taylor, James, 31 Aug 1903, aged 52, Roadsman, Deceased was travelling outbye on the completion of his shift on an endless rope haulage road, laid with double way, where sets of 14 to 18 tubs are drawn in both directions with a bogie at each end at a speed of a little over three miles per hour. In some way he was caught by a loaded set and, as evidenced by the position of his lamp, stick, and portions of his clothing, dragged a considerable distance and was found dead under the ninth tub of the set. The road was well provided with refuge holes. | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Thompson, Robert, 27 Mar 1827, Miner [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Thornton, John, 03 Jul 1856, aged 36, Miner, fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | Tremble, William, 11 May 1869, aged 64, Fireman, riding on tub in underground staple when rope broke | | | | | Individal page | | | | Tubman, John, 12 Oct 1896, aged 58, Waggoner, It appeared that he had been closing a pair of points to prevent the waggons going the wrong way when he fell in before three full waggons, which passed over him [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Tumelty, John, 24 Dec 1905, (accident: 22 Dec 1905), aged 62, Mason, Deceased was employed dressing stones for a new pit bank. He left his work and went about 10 yards away to make water on the nut coal road where several loaded wagons were standing, the last one lowered from the screen being about a yard behind the others, and he stood in this space, and while there another loaded wagon was lowered by gravity from the screen, the road inclining about 1 in 72, and bumped the last wagon forward and he was crushed between the buffers. There appeared to be some doubt as to whether the person who lowered the wagon was the proper person to do the work | | | | | Individal page | | | | Turner, Patterson, 12 Nov 1831, aged 28, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Ginns [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Tyson, Henry, 14 Jan 1895, 11:00 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 34, Rope Splicer, deceased was trying to uncouple a bogie from a set of tubs when in motion, and slipped and fell, and was run over | | | | | Individal page | | | | Walker, James, 28 Oct 1873, aged 51, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal | | | | | Individal page | | | | Walker, Robert Ezekial, 18 Oct 1928, (accident: 01 Oct 1928), aged 17, Shifthand, killed by a fall of stone, died in hospital from the injuries received, address: 23, Lakeland Avenue, Arrowthwaite | | | | | Individal page | | | | Walsh, Richard, 04 Apr 1867, aged 15, Driver, caught in arch whilst riding on tubs | | | | | Individal page | | | | Watson, Thomas, 15 Aug 1884, aged 13, Tub Greaser, crushed by cage at pit bottom | | | | | Individal page | | | | Watson, William, 07 Jul 1875, aged 65, Stableman, crushed by corf or tub [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Welsh, Patrick, 08 May 1885, aged 71, Shifter, run over by tubs on the engine plane | | | | | Individal page | | | | Whitton, John, 25 Jul 1900, aged 43, Shifter, He had unsuccessfully attempted to fire a gelignite shot in a side stone canch by means of an electric high tension battery and cable. The cable was then disconnected, and after half an hour's interval he returned to the shot, which exploded on him. According to the evidence of his two sons, who were working 20 yards distant, he had not time to unram the shot; but his injuries clearly pointed to this as the cause of the accident. [Inspection made & inquest attended] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Wilkes, John, 02 Jul 1929, aged 31, Shifthand, killed by a fall of roof caused through the breaking of an iron rail supporting the roof, address: High House, Green Bank, Preston Quarter | | | | | Individal page | | | | Williams, Thomas, 25 Feb 1898, aged 27, Deputy, The deceased had gone into a rise working (in which gas had been standing for several days) probably for the purpose of "jowling" through to the men in the adjoining place, which was nearly holed [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, Edward, 28 Oct 1880, aged 68, Deputy, crushed by tubs on incline | | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, James, 14 May 1904, aged 50, Shunter, deceased had finished his own work and was helping a contractor at the dock, and when taking away an empty wagon from the hurry or shoot by means of a horse it turned round before he had unhooked the chain, and he was nipped between it and the wagon | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Wilson, John, 27 Mar 1827, Miner [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Wilson, Peter, 06 Aug 1828, killed in the 1828 disaster [More information ...] | | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Wilson, Samuel, 06 Jul 1859, aged 14, Greaser, killed by a kick from a horse | | | | | Individal page | | | | Wood, Thomas, 12 Nov 1831, aged 26, killed in the 1831 explosion, gas explosion, address: Middle Row, Newhouses [More information ...] | | | | | | | | | | | | 203 names found | | | | | | |

If you know of any fatalities missing from the above list then please contact us with the details and we will add them to our database.

For those names marked imagethe text of the Mines Inspectors report into the incident is available online. Click on theimage icon to display the report.

Those names marked with image, have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the image symbol next to the name to see the web page.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web page have been kindly provided by The West Cumbria Mines Research and are marked with image.

More information more information on some of the fatalities shown above


The following unnamed fatalities are listed in the Mines Inspectors Reports, once again this collection is not complete!

Date Inspectors Remarks
01 Mar 1851 1 1 Inclined plane
06 Dec 1851 1 1 Fall of partition
23 Mar 1852 1 1 Coal
01 Jan 1853 1 1 fell down
11 Jun 1853 1 1
31 Mar 1854 1 1
15 Sep 1854 1 1 fall of coal
19 Nov 1855 1 1 fell down staple
26 Jan 1856 1 1 killed by rollies
08 Jul 1857 1 1 fell down shaft, More information ...
19 Apr 1858 1 1 crush of basket
09 Dec 1859 1 1 Railway waggons
15 Feb 1860 1 1 killed by rollies
30 May 1861 1 1 firing a shot
02 Oct 1861 1 1 crush of rolley
13 Jan 1865 1 1 fall of coal
06 Jun 1865 1 1 death on railway

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

Colliery Map a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Whitehaven Colliery

Nearby Collieries list of collieries/pits etc. near to Whitehaven Colliery

Credits

Sources:

On this site
Newspaper articles Newspaper articles
Evidence given to the 1842 Children's Employment Commission Evidence given to the 1842 Children's Employment Commission
![Article from Colliery Engineering (August 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 1"](http://www.dmm.org.uk/images/goto.gif "Article from Colliery Engineering (August 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 1"") Article from Colliery Engineering (August 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 1"
![Article from Colliery Engineering (September 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 2"](http://www.dmm.org.uk/images/goto.gif "Article from Colliery Engineering (September 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 2"") Article from Colliery Engineering (September 1942) — "Explosion at the William Pit — 2"
External sites
Haig Colliery Museum web site Haig Colliery Museum web site

Further Reading: