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

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also known as Hetton Lyon's Colliery, Lyon's Colliery

Location: Hetton-le-Hole6 miles [10 km] ENE of Durham
Map Ref: (Sheet 88) NZ360469, 54° 48' 56" N, 1° 26' 23" W
Maps: Map 1860s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
Map 1898 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
Map 1928 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
Map 1950s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
Map 1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)
Opened: 1822
Closed: 11 Jul 1950
Pits: Blossom Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ359470, sinking: 06 Dec 1820
Shaft Shaft details for Blossom Pit
Minor Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ359470, sinking: 23 Dec 1820
Shaft Shaft details for Minor Pit
Owners: 1822 - Hetton Coal Co.
1850s - Hetton Coal Co. (Hon. A. Cochrane & Partners)
1911 - Lambton & Hetton Collieries Ltd
1923 - Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Collieries Ltd.
1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output: 1860 - Coal.
1865 - Coal.
1873 - Coal.
1888 - Coal.
1894 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1896 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1900 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1902 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1905 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1910 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1915 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1921 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household. Fireclay.
1925 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam. Fireclay.
1930 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam.
1935 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam.
1950 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam. Fireclay.
Employment: Year Pit TotalScale Below Above 1854_Working_ 1883748748 18941,038569469 18961,020545475 1900978570408 1902937516421 1905928538390 1910481173308 1915756443313 19211,070705365 1925605470135 1930789643146 1935859730129 194040335449 1945426324102 195044135388
Manager Colliery Management (prior to 1970)
Seams Worked: 1905 - Hutton, Low Main, Main Coal
1910 - Hutton, Low Main, Main Coal
1915 - Hutton. Abandoned., Low Main, Main Coal [Plan to H.O. 7/7/15]
1921 - Low Main, Main Coal
1925 - Low Main, Main
1930 - Main, North Low Main, South Low Main
1935 - Main, North Low Main, South Low Main
1950 - Five Quarter, Low Main, Main, Maudlin
Abandoned Seams Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Hetton Colliery
Notes: 1820 - Engine or Blossom Pit, Hetton Colliery, was sunk from surface to Main Coal Seam. Commenced sinking in the Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery, below the Main Coal Seam, down to the Hutton Seam.
1915 - Hutton seam abandoned
Incident Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Hetton Colliery

Description

The population of Hetton some thirteen years ago amounted to about 500 persons, at which period a colliery was commenced by the late Hon. Captain Cochrane, R.N. and Partners, which has so much increased in value in late years, that it is estimated that there are nearly 8,000 persons chiefly dependant upon it. The coals are got at a depth of from 150 to 350 yards, and are let down a railway seven miles in length, and shipped on the banks of the River Wear near Sunderland, where the company have extensive wharfs for the shipping and landing goods, and where vessels of large burden can ride in safety.

Pigot's 1834 Directory of County Durham

Hetton Colliery is the property of the Hetton Coal Company, Limited. The winning of this colliery formed a new area in the history of mines and of geological science. Geologists previously asserted that coal did not exist beneath the Magnesian Limestone, or, if it did exist, they said it must be deteriorated both in quality and thickness ; but this colliery has been sunk through a bed of this stone, fifty eight yards in thichness ; and, so far from being deteriorated, the coal is excellent both in quality and thickness. The sinking of the shaft was commenced on the 19th December 1820 ; the Main coal was reached on the 3rd of September 1822, at a depth of 109 fathoms, 6 feet, 6 inches thickness, with 18 inches of coarse coal at the top, and a 10 inch band of slate shale, 4 feet of good coal, and 1 foot of bottom ; Low Main, 131 fathoms deep, 4 feet in thickness ; the Hutton seam, 148 fathoms deep, with 4 feet 7½ inches of good coal, 3½ inches of band, and 1 foot 3 inches of bottom coal. There are two pits, known as the Minor and Blossom, which are ventilated by furnaces and boiler fires, three in Main seam and three in the Hutton seam, circulating 190,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The shaft sidings and stables are lighted by electricty. The number of hands employed under ground is 613 ; above, 306 ; adjacent to the pits, 132, making a total of 1051, with an output of 1000 tons per day.

The tin cased Davy lamp is used at these collieries, all of which are left at the lamp-room by the workmen and cleaned by machinery. Here are 200 beehive coke ovens, from which seven boilers are heated by the surplus heat during the process of making coke. The Hutton coal is known in the market as the Hetton Wallsend first house coal, the rest, such as the Hetton Lyons Main, second house, gas and steam coal, are shipped at the company's staiths at Sunderland. The Hetton, Elemore, and Eppleton collieries are connected by about nine miles of private railway. Here also are fire brick works, engineering, blacksmiths', and joiners' shops.

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham

Disasters (5 or more killed)

| | 20th | Dec | 1860 | | Accumulation of fire damp exploded when boiler fire doors opened, 22 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 | | | | Agar, William, 27 Jun 1861, aged 19, Putter, crushed by a tub | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | Individal page | | | | Alderson, Edward, 03 Aug 1903, aged 57, Labourer, killed by being crushed between the buffer of a coke truck and the end of a coal waggon, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Armstrong, J. T., 19 Jan 1921, (accident: 03 Mar 1918), aged 57, Onsetter, died as the result of blood poisoning set up by having his finger injured | | | | Individal page | | | | Ashcroft, James, 20 Jan 1920, aged 47, Hewer, died of injuries received on the same day through lifting a tub | | | | Individal page | | | | Atkinson, Thomas, 14 Dec 1889, aged 21, Locomotive Fireman, while uncoupling waggons his foot got fast in a crossing and the locomotive and tender ran over him [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Atkinson, William, 24 Apr 1852, aged 12, this was occasioned by the blowing up of a boiler which underwent a minute scrutiny ; but the verdict was accidental ; examined [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Atkinson, William, 06 Jun 1859, aged 44, Hewer, fall of top coal in main coal seam | | | | Individal page | | | | Bassick, James, 22 Jan 1892, aged 16, Putter, died from a blow on his knee, alleged to have been received while working in the pit; but no such accident seems to have occurred [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | Individal page | | | | Bell, George, 15 Aug 1877, aged 13, Screener, while lowering empty waggons down to screens, a thing he had no right to do, he fell before them and was run over | | | | Individal page | | | | Berrisford, Thomas William, 17 Feb 1915, aged 15, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Best, James, 27 Aug 1888, aged 47, Hewer, while engaged along with another man in taking an empty tub up an incline, a tub full of stone ran amain from the top, which joined them with great force, and Best was killed | | | | Individal page | | | | Blakey, George, 24 Apr 1852, aged 13, this was occasioned by the blowing up of a boiler which underwent a minute scrutiny ; but the verdict was accidental ; examined [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Bond, Michael, 31 Jan 1898, aged 49, Deputy, While drawing timber in a broken jud a fall of stone from the roof swamped the timber he had set for his safety, and caught him. Died two hours after being got out., Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Box, James, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 20, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; riding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, riding the south wagonway in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Box, Thomas, 29 Jan 1891, 5:30 a.m., 9th hour of shift, aged 54, Deputy, fall of roof while drawing a broken jud | | | | Individal page | | | | Brown, John, 26 Dec 1850, aged 14, [Not employed], burnt on the pit heap | | | | Individal page | | | | Brown, John, 08 Jan 1923, aged 46, Hewer, died from strain which set up strangulated hernia the same day | | | | Individal page | | | | Brown, William, 23 Mar 1883, aged 23, Fitter, struck on head by crab arm, which ran amain while lowering a rope | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Burdis, Anthony, 02 Mar 1846, aged 39, Pitman, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Cairns, Ralph John, 08 Dec 1879, aged 12, Trapper, either run over by a set of tubs or crushed between tubs and side, he left his door after set passed | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Carr, George, 18 Apr 1857, Driver, he had been missed from his work, and on a search being made was found lying with his head jammed between his tub and the pit side | | | | Individal page | | | | Chandler, Albert William, 28 Mar 1901, aged 16, Putter, killed by head being crushed between tub and prop while bringing a full tub from face to landing, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Cooper, Robert, 23 Aug 1851, aged 33, Blacksmith, he was placing an apparatus tub in position, when he fell off the planking on which he was standing at the East Minor Pit, and plunged 20 feet to the ground. The back of his head was severely injured, and he died on Saturday, 23 August | | | | Individal page | | | | Cummings, James, 13 Sep 1946, aged 65, Shifter, strain | | | | Individal page | | | | Cuthbertson, Arthur, 18 May 1914, aged 14, Pony Driver, Deceased was driving one full tub, sitting on the limbers, when a balk fell from the roof on to him, and crushed him between the tub and the baulk. The balk was propped at each end, and no reason could be assigned for it falling. | | | | Individal page | | | | Dalkin, Joseph, 02 Oct 1866, aged 12, Eng. Bank Boy, crushed by tubs in engine plane | | | | Individal page | | | | Davidson, Joseph, 06 Mar 1878, aged 30, Plumber, drowned in Main Coal Seam. Was sent with two men to wedge a pipe and tap in a borehole; orders were given not to touch the boring until the manager had arrived, which order was disobeyed, and the whole put through, when a rush of water mixed with stythe took place, and on being overcome he fell among the water and was drowned - his body was not recovered until the 25th June [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: inquest - 05 Jul 1878 pg 3 col 3] | | | | Individal page | | | | Davison, John, 26 Oct 1861, aged 18, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Dixon, Joseph, 13 Jun 1898, (accident: 21 Jun 1897), aged 17, Way End Boy, died to-day from injuries received on June 21st, 1897, by being caught by an empty set; when it was entering the landing it got off the way | | | | Individal page | | | | Dodds, William, 26 Aug 1861, aged 20, Hewer, fell into apparatus hole from pit heap | | | | Individal page | | | | Duffy, Thomas, 28 Oct 1891, 3:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 34, Hewer, fall of large stone from roof | | | | Individal page | | | | Dunn, Joseph, 30 Jan 1935, aged 24, Datal, crushed by tub | | | | Individal page | | | | Elliott, William, 11 Nov 1908, aged 68, Furnaceman, when tipping a tub of coals at the furnace, he strangulated an old rupture [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 17 Nov 1908] | | | | Individal page | | | | Emmerson, Thomas, 13 Mar 1866, aged 38, Onsetter, struck by a bolt and fell down shaft | | | | Individal page | | | | Felton, M., 29 May 1860, Pony Putter, head crushed against roof | | | | Individal page | | | | Fenwick, Thomas William, 01 Dec 1928, (accident: 20 Jul 1927), aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Ferguson, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | NEEMARC | | Ferguson, R., 1918, [approximate date] | | | | Individal page | | | | Flinn, Thomas, 03 Jul 1922, aged 28, Wagon Rider, run over by wagons | | | | Individal page | | | | Gallighan, M., 26 May 1858, aged 15, Switchkeeper, fell before surface waggons while uncoupling | | | | Individal page | | | | Gibbons, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 63, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Gray, Francis, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 29, Deputy, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Green, William, 20 Apr 1857, Driver, he was driving his horse and two empty coal waggons near Hetton Colliery pit heap. He left it to get a drink from a reservoir nearby and then ran after his horse, but in attempting to pass under the trace he fell and both waggons ran over him, killing him instantly | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Greenhow, Albert Edward, 29 Sep 1915, aged 16, Landing Lad, crushed to death when the set ran amain | | | | Individal page | | | | Greives, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 20, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Grey, William, 20 Oct 1846, aged 16, Driver, He was driving his horse and several laden waggons when the jolting of the waggons caused them to be thrown off the way and on to him. The back overman found him dead with a tub lying on his side | | | | Individal page | | | | Hall, F. W. H., 06 Apr 1933, aged 17, Driver | | | | Individal page | | NEEMARC | | Hall, J., 06 May 1918, aged 16, Driver, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Hall, John, 05 Jul 1923, (accident: 26 Jun 1923), aged 59, Wasteman, died from injuries received | | | | Individal page | | | | Hall, Joseph, 17 Oct 1889, aged 14, Tub Coupler, crushed between tub and side of kip wall at shaft siding, he got to the wrong side | | | | Individal page | | | | Hall, Robert, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 17, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; riding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, riding the south wagonway in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Halliday, John, 20 Dec 1839, aged 14 | | | | Individal page | | | | Hardy, R., 27 Oct 1928, (accident: 04 Jan 1927), aged 33, Wagon Rider, runover | | | | Individal page | | | | Harrison, William, 19 Jan 1885, aged 28, Waggon Rider, fell off waggons wand was run over near to the coal depots | | | | Individal page | | | | Hawke, Robert Stephenson, 21 Sep 1888, aged 18, Wasteman, fall of side stone while working in an air way | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Helmsley, James, 06 Feb 1847, aged 14, Driver, Rolley driver James Helmsley, 14, was working with the station keeper in East Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery on 6 February, removing stone and rubbish which had fallen from the roof, when a second fall covered him up completely. It took 20 minutes to get him out, by which time he was dead. | | | | Individal page | | | | Henshall, Richard Malpass, 13 Feb 1928, (accident: 07 Dec 1927), aged 17, Putter, died from injuries received | | | | Individal page | | | | Hepple, Robert, 24 Nov 1929, (accident: 13 Nov 1929), aged 50, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Herron, Ralph, 30 Jun 1936, died at his work from heart failure following acute haemorrhage pancreatitis - a rare complication of influenza which only attacked one person in a million | | | | Individal page | | | | Heslop, L. J., 26 Apr 1937, (accident: 27 Jul 1936), aged 55, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Hodgson, John, 13 May 1918, (accident: 06 May 1918), aged 64, Labourer, collapsed with a strain | | | | Individal page | | | | Holmes, Henry John, 08 Nov 1925, (accident: 06 Nov 1925), aged 59, Labourer, being crushed between the buffers of two vans, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Holmes, R., 25 Feb 1933, (accident: 26 Jan 1933), aged 35, Hewer, crushed by tubs, died from injuries received | | | | Individal page | | | | Holmes, Samuel, 06 Jul 1888, aged 16, Waggon Greaser, he was attempting to get on to a set of waggons while they were running on a private branch railway (a thing he had no right to do) and missing his hold he fell before them and was run over | | | | Individal page | | | | Hopper, Samuel T., 17 Aug 1891, (accident: 03 Aug 1891, 2:30 p.m., 9th hour of shift), aged 14, Waggon Greaser, run over by waggons on private branch railway near Copt Hill, a few miles from the colliery; his leg was taken off and he died on the 17th inst. | | | | Individal page | | | | Howard, Edmund, 18 Aug 1892, (accident: 17 Aug 1892, 8:15 a.m., 3rd hour of shift), aged 16, Token Boy, blow on his thigh by a rope flying off a sheave; died from shock to system on following day | | | | Individal page | | | | Hunter, William, 02 Dec 1859, aged 45, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Hunter, William E., 11 May 1909, aged 21, Coal teamer, When riding on the cradle of the drop with a full truck, one of the ropes supporting the jib broke, and he was thrown on to a girder in the ship below. The contents of the truck fell on him, but the truck fell clear. He died when being conveyed to the hospital [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 14 May 1909] | | | | Individal page | | | | Jarvis, F., 03 Jun 1929, (accident: 03 May 1929), aged 19, Putter, lifting tub | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Jefferson, William, 15 Nov 1845, aged 60, Was on the Hetton Railway on Saturday afternoon gathering coals, when he was knocked down and run over by a train of waggons travelling up the incline. The top of his head was entirely crushed off and his left arm broken. The accident occurred on 15 November | | | | Individal page | | | | Jobling, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 40, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Jones, Edward, 25 Oct 1876, (accident: 27 Sep 1876), aged 14, Driver, thigh, leg and arm broken - caught by a set on the engine plane | | | | Individal page | | | | Kelsey, Thomas, Aug 1833, fell down pit [Sunderland Herald reports: accident - 10 Aug 1833 pg 4 col 4] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Kennedy, Matthew, 12 Jul 1918, aged 35, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone while drawing timber | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Kennedy, W., 22 Oct 1917, Shifter, dropped down dead at work | | | | Individal page | | | | Larmer, David, 04 Oct 1900, (accident: 03 Oct 1895), aged 68, Wasteman, Died to-day from effects of cancer. He was injured by a fall of stone in the pit on October 3rd, 1895, and at inquest the jury returned a verdict that his death was accelerated by the accident. | | | | Individal page | | | | Laverick, Matthew, 30 Nov 1867, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Leigh, Robert William, 25 Jun 1928, (accident: 07 Oct 1927), aged 41, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Leonard, Edward James, 10 Jan 1926, (accident: 31 Aug 1925), aged 22, Putter, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Lowdon, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Marley, William, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 58, Furnaceman, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Matthews, Daniel, 23 Mar 1871, aged 74, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Mitchinson, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 61, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Mouter, Thomas, 16 Jun 1884, aged 47, Deputy, fall of a large quantity of stone in a broken jud which came off at a slip over the coal head and quite unseen, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Murphey, Thomas, 16 Apr 1881, Trapper, killed by set of tubs on engine plane, he had evidently left his place | | | | Individal page | | | | Nailor, Richard, 13 Feb 1926, (accident: 03 Feb 1926), aged 27, Screens, his overcoat was caught in the shafting, causing him to be pulled into the machinery | | | | Individal page | | | | Nattrass, William, 10 Oct 1928, (accident: 16 Apr 1928), aged 64, Deputy, fall | | | | Individal page | | NEEMARC | | Naylor, George, 12 Aug 1914, (accident: 11 Oct 1913), aged 47, Deputy, died from sarcoma of the lungs; it is alleged that death was accelerated by injuries alleged to have been received by a prop falling on his arm | | | | Individal page | | | | Nicholson, R. T., 22 Sep 1887, aged 16, Landing Boy, crushed between tubs by pony, limbers becoming fast in engine rope and dragging it along | | | | Individal page | | | | Parker, William, 16 Jun 1884, aged 21, Hewer, fall of a large quantity of stone in a broken jud which came off at a slip over the coal head and quite unseen [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | WCMRG | | Parry, William, 27 Aug 1844, aged 30, Miner, he was riding on some waggons in the Isabella Pit, towards the shaft when a large quantity of coal fell from the roof, and crushed deceased's head on one of the corners of the waggons, which killed him upon the spot | | | | Individal page | | | | Parton, John, 15 Aug 1888, aged 48, Labourer, was found dead in the coke yard under a truck; it is not clear if this was the cause of death, as he had for some time suffered from heart disease, and had only resumed work that morning after an absence of some days | | | | Individal page | | | | Pears, George, 25 Oct 1861, aged 16, Trimmer, crushed by surface waggons | | | | Individal page | | NEEMARC | | Pearson, Edward, 11 Jul 1914, (accident: 01 Nov 1906), aged 17, Pony Putter, died from consumption; it was allaged that death was accelerated by injuries received when his head was crushed between a tub and a prop | | | | Individal page | | | | Platts, John, 18 Jul 1864, aged 36, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Pringle, J., 21 Oct 1939, (accident: 01 Jul 1938), aged 44, Stoneman, silicosis | | | | Individal page | | | | Pringle, Thomas, 04 Dec 1900, (accident: 01 Dec 1900), aged 16, Way-end lad, Found lying unconscious with his bead very badly injured near a winch on engine plane. The probability is that after winching rope he had omitted to take chain off and winch handle hit him on head. Died on 4th inst. [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Purvis, William, 27 Jan 1890, aged 68, Engineman, died from apoplexy while at his work in engine room [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Rain, John, 21 Dec 1853, (accident: 28 Nov 1853), aged 24, he and some other men were throwing off the drum of an engine, when the work was complete, he 'incautiously stepped on one of the rods of the engine and caused it to move,' his right thigh and arm were severely crushed, and he died from his injuries on the night of Wednesday, 21 December | | | | Individal page | | | | Reed, R., 19 Sep 1932, aged 58, Stoneman | | | | Individal page | | | | Richardson, William, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 60, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; ridding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Riddle, Thomas, 11 Sep 1897, aged 57, Token Man, Took a fit while at work. He was taken to his home where he died about 3½ hours afterwards | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Robinson, William, 19 Dec 1916, aged 17, Engine Plane Lad, he was riding on the set going outbye and a short time later was found lying dead after being run over; he had previously been fined for riding on the tubs | | | | Individal page | | | | Robson, George Harle, 25 Apr 1928, aged 47, Cartman, fell off cart | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Robson, John, 12 Feb 1850, aged 11, was crushed to death between the shafts of a rolley and a tub which ran amain in West Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery | | | | Individal page | | | | Robson, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 36, Hewer, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, working up the new incline in the West minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Rogerson, John, 15 Jan 1856, (accident: 22 Dec 1855), aged 36, on 22 December 1855 he had fractured the middle finger of his right hand while working in the East Minor Pit of Hetton Colliery. It was set and he seemed to be progressing favourably, but not feeling satisfied, he went to Little Town in the early part of the present month, to consult a bone-setter, and on his way thither got wet, caught cold, tetanus supervened, and he died on the 15th inst. | | | | Individal page | | | | Ross, Ralph, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Rudd, James, 23 Oct 1905, aged 59, Hewer, he was run over by a full set when walking in-bye; he had recently come down the pit and probably had not got his "eyesight.", his son (James Thornton) was killed in the same pit in 1899, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Rudd, James, 10 Nov 1924, (accident: 29 Oct 1924, 3.0 p.m., 5th hour of shift), aged 19, Putter, Deceased was lifting a derailed full tub when he sprained his right leg, and, it is presumed, abraded the skin. He completed the shift, but was unable to resume work and died 12 days later from toxaemia set up by the injury | | | | Individal page | | | | Rudd, James Thornton, 30 Jun 1899, aged 19, Putter, while going in-bye with an empty tub his head was caught between the top of the tub and the roof, and he was killed, his father (James) was killed in the same pit in 1905 [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 01 Jul 1899 pg 3], Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Sandilands, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 32, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Scott, George, 23 Mar 1864, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Scott, Joseph, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 50, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Short, Joseph, 28 Aug 1875, aged 33, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, John, 18 Sep 1865, aged 42, Hewer, fall of stone in a narrow place | | | | Individal page | | | | Smith, John, 10 Dec 1919, aged 52, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Soulsby, Jacob, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Soulsby, William, 30 Aug 1861, aged 48, Branch Driver, crushed by surface waggons on branches | | | | Individal page | | | | Stephens, John Richard, 15 Jun 1930, (accident: 06 Jun 1930), aged 17, Shaft Boy, sprain through lifting a tram of timber | | | | Individal page | | | | Stephenson, Nicholas, 05 Jan 1877, aged 38, Collier, fall of roof while working in his wall | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Strachan, Robert, 27 Jul 1929, (accident: 1901), Deputy, twenty eight years ago his spine was injured by a fall of stone and he was never able to resume regular employment | | | | Individal page | | | | Summerbell, John, 19 Oct 1936, aged 15, Screen Boy, caught by cage, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Talbot, Henry, 24 Jun 1901, aged 22, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone from roof of working place, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Taylor, James, 05 Jun 1854, aged 13, he was driving a pony along the Engine-bank in the pit, when he was crushed to death by a mass of coal falling from the side | | | | Individal page | | | | Taylor, Thomas, 05 Feb 1897, aged 50, Hewer, While trespassing on the private branch railway he was run over, and so severely injured that he died within 1½ hours [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 08 Feb 1897 pg 3] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Taylor, William, 03 Apr 1852, aged 56, A large stone fell from the roof and fractured his right leg, infection set in and he died on Saturday, 3 April | | | | Individal page | | | | Thomas, A., 25 Feb 1885, aged 55, Wasteman, injury by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Thompson, Daniel, 21 Nov 1877, aged 19, Collier, fall of stone while driving alongside an old fall bord, Buried: Cowpen Cemetery | | | | Individal page | | | | Thompson, J. T., 25 Nov 1863, aged 12, Horse Driver, crushed by tubs | | | | Individal page | | | | Thompson, John, 14 Jun 1826, fell from a cradle in the shaft, left a wife and four children | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Thompson, Thomas, 03 Apr 1845, aged 66, An inquest was held on 3 April into the death of Thomas Thompson, 66, at the Minor Pit, Hetton-le-Hole. A man who was at work a few yards distant from him went to borrow his stool, and found deceased lying upon the floor of the pit and nearly covered up with stones [date of inquest] | | | | Individal page | | | | Thompson, Thomas, 12 Dec 1861, aged 17, Putter, crushed by tubs | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Turnbull, Richard, 04 Dec 1851, (accident: 19 Nov 1851), aged 12, Rolley Driver, he was severely injured in Minor East Pit, Hetton Colliery on 19 November. He had been driving a horse with tubs attached when it began kicking. He tried to get out of the tub he was riding in to control the horse, but fell and was run over by several tubs. His left arm and thigh were broken; he died on 4 December | | | | Individal page | | | | Unwin, William, 03 Dec 1923, aged 21, Putter, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Walker, James, 24 Apr 1852, aged 28, Foreman, this was occasioned by the blowing up of a boiler which underwent a minute scrutiny ; but the verdict was accidental ; examined [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Walker, James, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 32, Deputy, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Wall, William, 09 May 1905, (accident: 17 Nov 1903), aged 47, Stoneman, injured on 17th November, 1903, when pulling out a prop round which the floor had risen, it broke and he fell back upon a baulk injuring his spine, he died on 9th May, 1905 [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident] | | | | Individal page | | | | Walton, George, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Putter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, working up the new incline in the West minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Watson, George, 02 Mar 1846, aged 40, Deputy Overman, explosion of gas [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Watson, Richard, 30 Dec 1863, aged 75, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Watson, William, 14 Jan 1879, aged 22, Putter, got his head crushed between tub and timber while coming out-bye [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: inquest - 18 Jan 1879 pg 3 col 5] | | | | Individal page | | | | Watts, John, 05 Feb 1896, aged 46, Deputy, while drawing timber a large stone broke down a plank without warning, fell on to and killed him [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 06 Feb 1896 pg 3; inquest - 10 Feb 1896 pg 3] | | | | Individal page | | | | Wharton, William, 18 Jan 1901, aged 30, Hewer, When turning a place away, where a hitch leader was running across it, a fall of roof took place and killed him | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilkinson, George William, 09 May 1905, aged 21, Bankhead Attendant, a set of waggons, when knocked off on reaching bank head on private railway, overran the chain which caught him and threw him under the waggons, causing serious injury to both legs, he died soon after reaching Sunderland Infirmary, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Wilkinson, John, 14 Feb 1923, Clerk, He was electrocuted while working a printing machine in the colliery office. He had told his father about receiving shocks from the machine on a number of occasions. For some reason, he appeared to have touched the cable at the back of the printer. | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilkinson, Thomas, 18 Mar 1946, (accident: 14 Mar 1946), aged 41, Filler, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Willans, Joseph, 01 Sep 1863, aged 31, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone | | | | Individal page | | | | Williams, Jonathan, 13 Apr 1891, 1:30 p.m., 8th hour of shift, aged 20, Putter, fall of a large stone in broken workings | | | | Individal page | | | | Willis, John Thomas, 24 Aug 1921, aged 50, Platelayer, crushed head on the railway, Buried: Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, R., 29 Jun 1933, aged 20, Putter, crushed by tubs | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, Robert, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 54, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, father in law of Henry Wonders, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, Shafto, 22 Aug 1851, aged 28, run over by waggons on the colliery railway | | | | Individal page | | | | Wilson, Thomas, 19 Mar 1904, (accident: 18 Mar 1904), aged 62, Shifter, Took ill in pit owing to the rupture of a blood vessel in brain while at work, and died following day. Post-mortem showed there had been no injury | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Wiseman, Amos, 16 Apr 1857, Hewer, he was hewing coal when a stone weighing 1¼ tons fell on him from the roof and crushed him to death | | | | Individal page | | | | Wiseman, James Andrew, 17 Jan 1935, (accident: 11 Jul 1927), aged 35, died from injuries received | | | | Individal page | | | | Wonders, Henry, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 34, Hewer, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, son in law of Robert Wilson, working up the new incline in the West minor pit, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Wright, John, 05 Aug 1897, (accident: 04 Aug 1897), aged 47, Stoneman, Severely injured internally by a fall of stone. Died the following day | | | | Individal page | | | | Wright, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 43, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Young, Anthony, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 52, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...] | | | | Individal page | | | | Young, Robert, 12 Apr 1923, aged 36, Hewer, crushed by runaway tubs, address: 10 Railway Street, Hetton | | | | Individal page | | | | Young, Thomas, Sep 1834, killed by a fall of stone [Sunderland Herald reports: accident - 27 Sep 1834 pg 2 col 4] | | | | Individal page | | JG | | Young, William, 03 Jul 1854, aged 11, he was crushed to death between a tub and a prop | | | | | | | | | | 163 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.

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.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been kindly provided by Jim Grainger from his research into early newspapers (primarily the _Durham Advertiser_and Durham Chronicle) and are marked withimage.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been extracted from material deposited at the North East England Mining Archive and Research Centre (NEEMARC) — principally the records of the Durham Miners' Association and are marked withimage.

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
19 Jan 1851 1 1 On railway
27 Nov 1851 1 1 Kick of a horse
03 Dec 1853 1 1 killed with apparatus
29 Dec 1853 2 2 repairing the shaft
25 Feb 1854 1 1 riding upon tubs
14 Feb 1856 1 1 crushed by tubs in engine plane
13 Aug 1856 1 1 crushed by tubs

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

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

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

Hetton Colliery Colliery Officials Hetton Lyons Colliery Hetton Lyons Colliery The Hetton Loco Railway Locomotive Railway Locomotive

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Evidence given to the 1842 Children's Employment Commission Evidence given to the 1842 Children's Employment Commission
![Article from Coal Magazine (May 1958) — "Northern Pit Bandsmen Collared the Trophies"](http://www.dmm.org.uk/images/goto.gif "Article from Coal Magazine (May 1958) — "Northern Pit Bandsmen Collared the Trophies"") Article from Coal Magazine (May 1958) — "Northern Pit Bandsmen Collared the Trophies"
Awards for Bravery Awards for Bravery
Pictures in the Gallery section for Hetton Colliery Pictures in the Gallery section for Hetton Colliery
Names of those killed in the 1860 disaster Names of those killed in the 1860 disaster
Article in the Transactions of the Mining Engineers Article in the Transactions of the Mining Engineers

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