Durham Mining Museum - UK Disaster Report Index (original) (raw)

UK Disaster Reports

In this section of the site we will provide text of the official reports of the Mines Inspectorate into disasters and major incidents that have occurred in the rest of the UK. This section will gradually grow as more reports are added over the coming months. If you have any of the reports we have not already made available and are willing to let us borrow the report to copy (and return!) then please let us know via email to the webmaster (see menu at left).

These reports are generally known as "Command Papers" as they are presented to Parliament by Command of His/Her Majesty. The specific Command Paper number is given in the left column of the following table - click on this and it will take you to the text of the report.

We have also provided an index to the names mentioned in the text of the reports, click here to access the index.

| | Ref. | | Incident Date | | Colliery/Cause | | Author | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------- | ---- | ---------------- | ---- | ------ | --------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------- | | Report Text | Parl. Rpt. | | 24th | Jan | 1849 | | Darley Main | | Seymour Tremenheere andWarington W. Smyth | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 12th | Dec | 1852 | | Lower Elsecar | | Charles Morton | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 15th | Sep | 1853 | | Lletty Shenkin | | Herbert Mackworth | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 18th | Feb | 1854 | | Ince Hall, Arley Pit | | Joseph Dickinson | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 19th | Feb | 1857 | | Lundhill | | Charles Morton | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 31st | Jul | 1857 | | Heys | | Joseph Dickinson | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 6th | Apr | 1859 | | Main | | Thomas Evans | | | Innundation, water from old workings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 16th | Jun | 1859 | | Cam Hay | | Henry Gordon Longridge | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 5th | Nov | 1859 | | Far Green | | Thomas Wynne | | | Drawn over the pulley | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 1st | Dec | 1860 | | Risca, Black Vein Pit | | Lionel Brough | | | Explosion, firedamp, cause of ignition unknown | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Rpt. | | 19th | Feb | 1862 | | Gethin | | John Kenyon Blackwell | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 10th | Jan | 1871 | | Rennishaw Park | | Thomas Evans | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by blown-out shot | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 18th | Feb | 1873 | | Talk O' Th' Hill | | Thomas Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 5th | Apr | 1873 | | Cwmtillery | | Lionel Brough | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 30th | May | 1873 | | Brynn Hall | | Thomas Bell | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 6th | Dec | 1875 | | Swaithe Main | | F. N. Wardell | | Report Text | 99 | | 6th | Dec | 1875 | | Swaithe Main | | Wardell, Evans, Maule | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 5th | Jan | 1876 | | Jammage Pits | | Thomas Wynne | | | Explosion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 6th | Apr | 1876 | | Silverdale | | Thomas Wynne | | | Explosion of firedamp caused by gunpowder | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 26th | Jun | 1876 | | Birley | | Thomas Evans | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 24th | Aug | 1876 | | Tipton Moat | | James P. Baker | | | Shaft accident | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 8th | Mar | 1878 | | Barrwood | | William Alexander | | | Explosion of gas | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 12th | Mar | 1878 | | Unity Brook | | Joseph Dickinson | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 27th | Mar | 1878 | | Apedale | | Thomas Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 11th | Sep | 1878 | | Abercarne, Prince Of Wales | | Thomas Cadman | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, cause of ignition not established | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 1st | May | 1882 | | Baddesley Colliery | | Thomas Evans | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by unprotected engine and boiler in return airway | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 7th | Nov | 1883 | | Moorfield pit, Altham Colliery | | Joseph Dickinson | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | C-5787 | | 18th | Jan | 1889 | | Hyde | | W. N. Atkinson | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 5th | Sep | 1889 | | Mauricewood | | J. B. Atkinson | | | Underground fire, cause unknown, death caused by suffocation from smoke flowing into intake air | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | C 6902 | | 4th | Aug | 1892 | | Ravenslodge | | Anthony H. Hawkins, Frank N. Wardell | | | Flooding caused by defective tubbing in upcast shaft | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | C 7091 | | 11th | Apr | 1893 | | Great Western | | S. T. Evans, J. T. Robson | | | Fire, ignition of inflammable substance caused by sparks from brake of hauling engine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cd 851 | | 26th | Aug | 1901 | | Donibristle Colliery, Fifeshire | | J. B. Atkinson | | | Inrush of soft peat or moss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Ann. Rpt. | | 23rd | Feb | 1904 | | Aldwarke Main | | W. Walker | | | Shaft accident | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cd 5692 | | 21st | Dec | 1910 | | Hulton No. 3, Pretoria Pit | | R. A. S. Redmayne | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by safety lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cd 7133 | | 3rd | Aug | 1913 | | Cadder, No. 15 Pit, Lanarkshire | | Sir Henry Cunynghame, K.C.B. | | | Underground fire, probably caused by accidental ignition of clothes, lamp-wick or timber by open lights or matches | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 810 | | 12th | Jan | 1918 | | Podmore Hall, Minnie Pit | | W. Walker | | | Explosion, firedamp and coal dust, ignition probably caused by defective safety lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 2047 | | 28th | Jul | 1923 | | Maltby Main Colliery, Yorkshire | | Sir Thomas Mottram | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by spontaneous combustion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 2276 | | 23rd | Feb | 1924 | | Birley Colliery, East Pit, Beighton | | Henry Walker | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 2946 | | 4th | Nov | 1925 | | Pendleton Colliery | | Henry Walker | | | Floor upheaval caused by rock bump | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 2947 | | 18th | Dec | 1925 | | Birchenwood Colliery, Kidsgrove | | F. H. Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, caused by spontaneous combustion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 3399 | | 17th | Jan | 1929 | | Maryhill Colliery, Kidsgrove | | F. H. Wynne | | | Inrush of water from old workings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 3444 | | 10th | Jul | 1929 | | Milfraen Colliery, Blaenavon | | J. Mcleod Carey | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparking at switch in coal cutter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 3635 | | 28th | Nov | 1929 | | Wernbwll | | F. H. Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by flame of open acetylene lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 3698 | | 26th | Feb | 1930 | | Lyme Pit | | F. H. Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 4028 | | 3rd | Sep | 1931 | | Newdigate | | Sir Henry Walker | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by arcing in the plug connector of the converyor motor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 4150 | | 25th | Jan | 1932 | | Llwynypia | | Sir Henry Walker | | | Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by match | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 4432 | | 16th | May | 1933 | | West Cannock | | W. E. T. Hartley | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by electric spark from signal bell | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 5358 | | 22nd | Sep | 1934 | | Gresford Colliery | | Henry Walker | | | Explosion, firedamp, cause of ignition uncertain, possibly spontaneous combustion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 5456 | | 21st | Jan | 1937 | | Markham Colliery | | J. R. Felton | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by flash from defective coal-cutter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 6227 | | 21st | Mar | 1940 | | Mossfield Colliery | | F. H. Wynne | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by spontaneous combustion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 6327 | | 29th | Jul | 1941 | | Crigglestone Colliery | | H. J. Humphrys | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 6328 | | 2nd | Jun | 1941 | | Llantrisant Colliery | | J. Macleod Carey | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by fire at top of No. 2 shaft | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 6387 | | 16th | Feb | 1942 | | Barnsley Main Colliery | | J. R. Felton | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by flash from coal cutter trailing cable | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 7221 | | 10th | Jan | 1947 | | Burngrange, Nos. 1 And 2 (Oil Shale) Mine | | A. M. Bryan | | | Explosion, firedamp and fire, ignition caused by flame of open acetylene cap lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 7300 | | 7th | May | 1947 | | Barnsley Main Colliery | | H. J. Humphrys | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by arc forming between core of trailing cable and moving nut on rocker arm of conveyor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 7434 | | 9th | Sep | 1947 | | Ingham | | A. M. Bryan | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by spark from flame safety lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 8180 | | 7th | Sep | 1950 | | Knockshinnock Castle | | Sir Andrew Bryan | | | Inrush of liquid peat or moss from surface | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 8574 | | 26th | Sep | 1950 | | Creswell | | Sir Andrew Bryan | | | Fire caused by frictional heating of torn belting | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 9019 | | 10th | Oct | 1952 | | Bedwas | | T. A. Jones | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by relighting of flame safety lamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmd 9553 | | 13th | Jan | 1954 | | Glyncorrwg | | T. A. Jones | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparking at the wedge of the Schlorn bar | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 287 | | 6th | Sep | 1955 | | Blaenhirwaun, 'Q' Face | | T. A. Jones | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparks produced by friction between fan blades of compressed air turbine fan and pieces of stone | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 205 | | 12th | Sep | 1955 | | Newcraighall Colliery | | W. Widdas | | | Haulage accident caused by worn rope | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 327 | | 21st | Feb | 1957 | | Sutton | | A. Winstanley | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by incendive flash from terminal box of a motor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 331 | | 6th | Mar | 1957 | | Chanters | | G. Hoyle | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by electric arc from cover plate of busbar chamber of switch for the Pikrose haulage | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 279 | | 26th | Jun | 1957 | | Barnburgh Main | | C. W. Scott | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by flash from a damaged electric cable | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 414 | | 7th | Dec | 1957 | | Golborne | | G. Hoyle | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by shot firing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 475 | | 4th | Mar | 1958 | | Brookhouse, No. 1 Downcast shaft | | A. E. Crook | | | Shaft accident, overwind, caused by excessive speed of winding engine due to faulty breaking | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 843 | | 22nd | Apr | 1959 | | Walton | | T. A. Rogers | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by electric arc from damaged trailing cable of coal cutting machine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1022 | | 18th | Sep | 1959 | | Auchengeich | | T. A. Rogers | | | Underground fire caused by frictional heat generated between the rotating motor pulley and the balata transmission belt of the electrically driven booster fan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 935 | | 26th | Sep | 1959 | | St. Johns | | H. J. Perrins | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by spark at flange gap of plug and socket coupling of a drilling machine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1000 | | 10th | Oct | 1959 | | Bickershaw Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, Plodder Seam | | R. H. Clough | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by spontaneous combustion of heated material | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1272 | | 28th | Jun | 1960 | | Six Bells | | T. A. Rogers | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1260 | | 25th | Jul | 1960 | | Cardowan | | H. R. Houston | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by reheating of carbonaceous material which had been on fire six months earlier | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1845 | | 22nd | Mar | 1962 | | Hapton Valley | | H. S. Stephenson | | | Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition probably caused by either shot firing or frictional heat | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 1850 | | 12th | Apr | 1962 | | Tower | | C. Leigh | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by severe short circuit to earth in an electric cable | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 2813 | | 17th | May | 1965 | | Cambrian | | H. S. Stephenson | | | Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by defective gate-end switch controlling the return end plough motor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | H C 553 | | 21st | Oct | 1966 | | Aberfan | | Sir H. E. Davies | | | Tip slide | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 3657 | | 9th | Sep | 1967 | | Michael | | H. S. Stephenson | | | Underground fire, spontaneous combustion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 4804 | | 6th | Apr | 1971 | | Cynheidre-Pentremawr | | J. S. Marshall | | | Outburst of coal and firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Cmnd 5557 | | 30th | Jul | 1973 | | Markham | | J. W. Calder | | | Shaft accident, overwind, caused by failure of mechanical break of winding engine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Report Text | Report | | 12th | Jun | 1975 | | Houghton Main | | J. W. Calder | | | Explosion of firedamp | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |