Durham Mining Museum - Local Records Extracts (original) (raw)

1839

January 15. — That portion of the Brandling Junction Railway, extending from Redheugh to the depot at the east end of Hillgate, Gateshead, was opened, amidst a large concourse of spectators. Thirty one chaldrons of coals from the Low Moor Colliery, called the South Beaumont Main, belonging to Lord Ravensworth and partners, were drawn along the line, and transferred on board the Eclipse for Dundee, from the new staith which had just been erected by the company at the foot of Hillgate. The directors and their friends afterwards dined together at the Brandling Arms Hotel, in honour of the auspicious event. [_LHTB_]

March 18. — The opening of the Great North of England, Clarence, and Hartlepool Junction Railway, and the first shipment of coals at Hartlepool, from T. R. G. Braddyll, Esq., and Co.'s new colliery at Kelloe, took place on this day, Monday, on which occasion splendid entertainments were given by the spirited proprietors. No less than 141 vessels were in the harbour at Hartlepool on Tuesday, and on Saturday 86 vessels sailed at one tide ; 19 feet water at the tide gauge, and 21 feet on the bar. The above mentioned railway connects the Great Western Coal-field with the port of Hartlepool. [_LHTB_]

April 22. — An explosion of fire-damp took place at Whitley colliery, at noon, and one man, named Thomas Harding, was severely burnt. It appeared that Harding had been working near a "grove," which was standing foul, and by some means his candle had ignited the inflammable gas, and produced the explosion. As soon as the alarm was given, the men and boys, to the number of about 150, fled with the greatest precipitation towards the shaft, and were drawn to bank all well, except Harding who was burnt about the shoulders and face. The mine not being considered in a very precarious state, the horses were allowed to remain down until the next day, when, towards the evening, two blasts took place, and Messrs. John George, and Benjamin Clavering, entering the pit, met with the after-damp, and were obliged to make a hasty retreat, in which John Clavering injured his foot and leg. Six of the workmen, Joseph Elliot, John Scott, A. Gillon, Edward Charlton, W. Studdy, and Robert Robinson, manfully and generously volunteered to save the horses, and with the assistance of the men at bank, had them drawn up, to the number of 18 (being all that were in the mine) in less than an hour and a half. [_LHTB_]

May 28. — The first coals from Garmondsway Moor colliery, the property of Thomas Richmond Gale Braddyll Esq., and partners, arrived Hartlepool, and were shipped from the coast on board the brig Anna Maria. [_LHTB_]

June. — The colliery at Ivestone, near Annfield, was successfully won by Messrs. Black, Ray, and Co. The seam of coal is four feet seven inched thick, hard, and of excellent quality. [_LHTB_]

June 28. — A dreadful explosion took place at the St. Hilda pit, the property of Messrs. John and Robt. Wm. Brandling, at South Shields. The first intimation of this sad event was given between eight and nine o'clock on the morning, by a rush of smoke mixed with small coals from the down-cast shaft, which was observed by the banksmen. Soon after this, men and boys, to the number of 100, were brought to the mouth of the pit; but all they were capable of explaining was, that there was an explosion in the west working of the mine. Several of these were nearly exhausted from the effects of "choke damp," but in a short time many of them rallied, and, attended by some other men who had not been in the pit at the time of the explosion, courageously went down again to make what exertions they could to rescue their unfortunate fellow-workmen and relatives, who were in the immediate scene of danger and death. Melancholy to relate, not a solitary being was found alive ! About eleven o'clock the dead bodies of the unfortunate sufferers began to be brought to bank, to the indescribable grief and anguish of their afflicted relatives and friends, who had crowded to the scene of danger, and made it one of misery, confusion, and appalling distress. The pit being situated within the town of South Shields, an immense number of persons were quickly collected on the spot, and all seemed struck with dismay at the suddenness of the distressing event, which had brought sorrow and death to the homes of so many of their humble and industrious neighbours. It was a distressing spectacle to behold the groups of people assembled in the immediate vicinity of the pit, amongst whom could be easily recognised relatives of all ages of the unfortunate creatures who had been exposed to the appalling danger of this frightful explosion. The viewer of the pit, William Anderson, esq. was at the scene of destruction soon after its occurrence, and went down into the mine, where he remained till nearly one o'clock, when he came up for a brief interval for respiration, and then returned to the dismal scene of death, to help and encourage in the rescue of the unfortunate sufferers. Shortly after noon, Mr. Jobling, the viewer of Jarrow Colliery, one of the overmen, and the viewer of Heworth Colliery went down in order to render assistance. Mr. Mather, wine-merchant, also descended the pit at an early hour, and administered to the brave fellows engaged in searching for the dead bodies, such remedies as they stood in need of from prolonged exertion in the suffocating atmosphere. An eye witness of the scene below has given a graphic and eloquent description of the awful sight which the colliery presented. He says, the appearance below was as that of the grave itself. The men were moving a bout like spectres in a thick darkness, with indistinct glimmerings from more than usually bedimmed lamps, seldom uttering a word, except in suppressed tones, and doing their duty to the dying and the dead in a solemn manner that was truly affecting. After passing into the colliery eight or nine hundred yards, the ravages of the explosion were apparent. Proceeding further from the shaft, the air began to assume the peculiarity of smell that came from the chests of the bodies that had been inflated. The deadly gas became stronger and stronger as the locality of the explosion was approached. In one place five dead bodies were met with, which had apparently yielded up the spirit with placid calmness, without one muscle of the face being discomposed. Further on were three more that had been killed by the explosion — their clothes were burnt and torn — the hair singed off — the skin and flesh torn away in several places, with an expression as if the soul had passed away in agony. On going further, what is called "a fall," a large mass of the roof and sides, blocking up the passage, arrested the onward course, which, with difficulty, having been surmounted, several bodies were found, as if, in their attempts to escape, this barrier had stopped them, and conceiving it impassable, they had apparently lain down and died. In another place we suddenly encountered two men, one with a light, the other bearing something on his shoulders: it was a blackened mass — a poor, dead, burnt boy. Further on, waggons that had been loaded were met with, turned bottom upwards, and scattered about in various directions. There was also a horse lying dead directly in the passage, with his head turned over his shoulder, as if, in falling, he had made a last effort at escape; he was swollen in an extraordinary manner. At one point we suddenly came among twelve or fifteen men, who had been driven back by the surcharged atmosphere. One poor man being sick and ill, something was given to him to assist his recovery. When asked where he felt most oppressed, he said in a broken suppressed agony, "I am not well, Sir, I have two sons in there," pointing to the place he had been driven from in his attempt to recover his children — one was 16, the other 22 years of age. In the demeanour of the men, there was a self-devotion and courage that would have ennobled human nature in any rank of life. Their companions were brought out ill, sick, stupified, and were struck down at their feet with an uncertainty of recovering; yet it produced no hesitation, not a doubt, no flinching, but at once fearlessly the brave fellows moved into the same situation, to go on with the performance of their melancholy exertions. One brave man, sick and insensible, was borne out on the shoulders of his comrades, and after he had been a little relieved by medicine that was given to him, as soon as he could articulate, he desired all to go back directly and leave him lying, "for now," said he, "I am quite well, and no time should be lost." Another noble fellow, who had been relieved by his friends, as soon as his strength was a little restored, started to his feet and said, "Come now, let us in again ; our place is there, we are of no use sitting here !" and he would have rushed back to the danger he had narrowly escaped, but was prevented. One by one the sufferers were brought out from the shaft, presenting in their relaxed frames, dull eyes, and features in which life seemed still lingering, objects of deep interest. As they were carried by their comrades down to the carts which were in waiting to convey them away, they were recognised by a brother, a wife, or a child; and the terrible agony that was exhibited it is impossible to describe. The most earnest and unremitting exertions were made by the medical men present, but generally in vain; not one instance having occurred, in which inflation of the lungs was successfully resorted to. The judicious application of the proper remedies were, however, useful in some cases, which might otherwise have terminated fatally. As the scene of the explosion was nearly two miles from the shaft, and the choke-damp must have extended to a considerable distance from the point where it occurred, the difficulty of reaching the sufferers, and the danger and gallantry of those who sought for them, will be in some measure evident to the common reader. It is true, most of those engaged in the arduous duty were influenced by parental, fraternal, or filial affection in their dangerous task; but many of the noble fellows were instigated only by common humanity and sympathy, and we saw many of them, after having been brought almost lifeless to the pit-mouth, and being revived a little by the fresh air, again descend to the scene of death. We saw brothers, pale and quivering, stagger from the corf to the outside of the crowd for fresh air, and with a few brief and simple words of affection and agony, again, scarcely yet recovered, enter the vehicle, and return in search of him they had lost. A father, an old man, whose three sons were missing, who had been twice brought up to the light of day almost dead, and who, in his pale features, feeble frame, and quivering lips, displayed the effects of the poison he had been inhaling, and the insupportable grief that preyed upon him, again attempt to rush to the fatal spot, whence, as from the tomb, he had just issued, and he was forcibly detained. Carts containing three or four dead bodies left the yard from time to time, surrounded by groups of agonised mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters, screaming, and blind with grief. One poor woman — the wife of the poor man of whom we have just spoken, as being detained from risking his life for the third time down the pit — attracted particular attention. Three of her children had been at the fatal spot, and one of them lay dead before her. Her grief for a time over this poor little boy was terrible. But gradually she stole up to the door near the pit-mouth, through which the dead bodies were borne. She still had another boy, whose fate was doubtful, and she left the dead to inquire after him who might still be living. Hope was stronger than Despair. It was, therefore, with feelings of exquisite distress that those who saw her, beheld her other little boy borne lifeless past her. The sight of her utter misery, and the agonizing shriek which burst from her heart was terrible. Among the sufferers, fifty in number, was Joseph Argyle, aged 45 years. he descended the pit to look for his son and was brought up a corpse: he left a wife and eight children. The brother of this poor fellow was with him when they were overtaken by the choke-damp, and urged him to retire, but he persevered in seeking for his son, and fell a sacrifice to his parental affection. No human efforts were wanting to rescue the unfortunate sufferers. Everything that courage could accomplish was done. Mr. Anderson, the viewer, aided by the advice of the most experienced of his own officers, and the exertions of the viewers from other collieries, was calm, collected, and decided; and, although apparently deeply suffering from anxiety and exertion, gave his orders with a clearness and precision that did him great credit. The St. Hilda Pit had been worked about fifteen or sixteen years, during the whole of which time there had been no explosions of any serious consequence. The houses in which the pitmen and their families live, are situated about half a mile from the mouth of the pit, near a laid-in colliery, also the property of Messrs. Brandling, from which were formerly obtained the coals known by the name of "Manor Wallsend." The funeral took place in the course of the afternoon, amidst thousands of spectators, who seemed deeply affected by the melancholy scene. Some of the coffins were placed in hearses, but in many instances where more than one victim had fallen in a family, two, three, or even four, were placed in one cart, to be conveyed to their respective places of interment. A part of the procession took the road to Jarrow, where five corpses were conveyed; but the greater joined the cavalcade which proceeded to the Market-place. Fifteen were left at Trinity church, which appeared next in sight — whilst the minute-bell tolling, fell deeply and heavily on the ear. The Rev. T. Dixon was at the door, and read the burial service over these bodies, but the bulk of the procession went over to the Market-place. The Rev. James Carr officiated at St. Hilda's, where twenty-five were interred; five were conveyed to North Shields; and the crowd speedily began to disperse. The graves which were dug for the remains of the unfortunates reminded the spectator, by their size, of the desolation of the plague. As many as nine and ten individuals were placed in one common sepulchre. At the inquest a verdict of "accidental death," was returned, caused by the incautious and it is believed needless presence of a candle in a part. of the mine disused and seriously surcharged with impure gas. It is doubtful, however, whether blame can be attached to the system of lighting, as the use of the candle was general, and the mine, under such treatment was considered unusually safe. A large subscription was raised for the relief of the unfortunate widows and orphans, in number more than sixty. [_LHTB_]

June 28. — In compliance with the suggestion of Mr. James Mather, a committee was appointed after this occurrence, to investigate the causes of accidents in mines, the committee consisting of Mr. Ingham, chairman ; Dr. Winterbottom, and Messrs. Shortridge, J. W. Roxby, J. Clay, E. Bell, R. W. Swinburne, W. K. Eddowes, and A. Harrison ; Secretaries — Mr. Mather and Mr. Salmon. In 1842, a report of their laborious investigations was published, and it was deemed so valuable that it was afterwards reprinted by the Government, being termed by a Parliamentary committee "a repertory of information, extensive, important and accurate." It has also been reprinted in Belgium, Germany, and France, and was everywhere received with great approbation. [_LRL_]

July 18. — Thursday, a cargo of first-rate coals, the produce of a new and valuable colliery at Cornforth, belonging to Messrs. Rippon, of Water-Ville, North Shields, was shipped at Hartlepool for Bridport, amidst suitable rejoicings, Cornforth is thirteen miles from Stockton and Hartlepool, and the present cargo is the first that has been shipped from the Hartlepool junction railway. Many of the wagons were filled with specimens of coal so large that they would not "run", but had to be hoisted by ropes out of the wagons. All the ships in the harbour displayed their colours, and the owners and friends dined together after the ceremony. [_LHTB_]

August 3. — A seam of coal, three feet ten inches in thickness, was come in at Wingate pit, the property of Lord Howden, in the early part of last week. The seam is at a depth of 66 fathoms from the surface, and of first-rate quality. [_LHTB_]

August 15. — The sinking of the first pit of Whitworth colliery, of which the Durham Coal Company are lessees, was commenced about the beginning of July, and the five-quarter coal — two feet six inches clean — was reached on the above day, at 18 fathoms. The diameter of the shaft is 12½ feet. [_LHTB_]

August 19. — Monday, Dr. Clanny, of Sunderland, read an important paper in the hall of the Mechanics' Institution, South Shields, to the members of the Committee for the Investigation of Accidents in Mines, and their friends. It is due to this talented and scientific gentleman to state, that he was the very first to meet the difficulties of the mines by human ingenuity, and a lamp of his was in existence, and used in some of the mines on the Wear, long ere any attempt was made by any other person. The principle of construction may be readily understood by the annexed engraving. The flame is preserved in an upright state at all times, being surrounded by a strong cylinder of glass, through which five times the quantity of light is transmitted than that of the common Davy. The glass cylinder is guarded by a grill of polished brass. The great principle of this safety lamp is, that the admission of air is wholly from above the flame, and by this means the influence of currents acting laterally is in a great measure prevented. Another source of safety is that the wire gauze cylinder contains 1296 meshes whilst the Davy contains only 700 meshes to the square inch. The cylinder of glass is so cool that the safety lamp may be plunged into water after it has been giving out flame for hours — as has been repeatedly proved. This is truly a safety lamp. [_LHTB_]

August 29. — The railway from the new colliery at Sacriston, was opened, on which occasion a procession, consisting of the owners and workmen, accompanied by a numerous body of people connected with the colliery, several wagons, and a band of music, moved from the pit towards Waldridge Fell, and thence to Pelton Fell; at both which places refreshments were liberally supplied by the colliery owners. The proprietors ultimately proceeded to the junctions with the Stanhope and Tyne Railway, where they halted, and the wagons went forward to South Shields. After the return of the wagons, the workmen, attended by the overmen of the colliery, were regaled with a substantial and comfortable dinner. In the evening, a number of females, wives and daughters of the workmen, were invited to tea, and the amusements of the day terminated with a merry dance. [_LHTB_]

August 30. — The opening of the Brandling Junction railway took place. A number of wagons containing South Beaumont coals, from the colliery of Lord Ravensworth and partners, were conveyed along the line from Gateshead to Monkwearmouth docks, where they were shipped on board a vessel lying to receive them, amidst the firing of guns and other demonstrations of rejoicing. This vessel, the "Jane" of Aberdeen, captain Goldie, about seven or eight keels burthen, was placed along the wharf, under the drop at the Wearmouth docks; she was most fantastically dressed out with flags of various colours and designs which floated on the breeze, giving an air of much animation and rejoicing to the scene. A party of directors and their friends joined the procession in an open carriage. Immediately after the arrival of the wagons at the incline leading to the drop, one of them was carefully taken down and shipped on board of the vessel amidst the hearty and protracted cheers of the spectators. A second was shipped in like manner, when these two were connected with the incline rope, and started forth to the bank top, being dragged up by two laden wagons in their progress to the vessel. The whole cargo was shipped in the same manner, and the vessel ready, to proceed to sea on her voyage by the same night's tide. No accident occurred to mar the pleasures of the day. On Thursday, the 6th of September following, the general opening of the line from Gateshead to South Shields and Sunderland, took place without the pomp and circumstance usually witnessed on such occasions. The train for the conveyance of passengers was in readiness at the station in Gateshead about one o'clock, when several of the directors, and their ladies, and a number of passengers, all of whom paid the regular fare, were in readiness to proceed. The company's splendid engine "The Wear," having been attached, the train moved forward amidst general cheering. On arriving at Brockley Whins, the Shields carriages were detached from the Wearmouth train, and were drawn to their destination by the "Brandling" engine, which was waiting to receive them. The distance to Monkwearmouth was performed in forty-six minutes, and the return passage in forty-three minutes. The weather was rather unfavourable, but upon the whole the excursion was highly satisfactory. [_LHTB_]

October 4. — On the night of Friday, the 4th of October, 1839, a fire was discovered in the engine house attached to Cramlington colliery, for drawing up the wagons, which extended to the annexed premises and before it could be extinguished, it totally destroyed the joiners' fitting up shop, and the saw mill, and threatened an adjoining dwelling house ; fortunately the fire engines belonging to the colliery and Seghill were speedily got into play, and there being a good supply of water on the spot, by about three o'clock the conflagration was got under. [_LHTB_]

October 18. — Friday afternoon, the Betsy, of London, lying at Shields, was discovered to be on fire. She was towed clear of the other ships, and were masts cut away, at which time the flames were rushing up the hatches, and it was not till she was very much injured, that the fire was got under. She had about 5 keels of coal on board, part of her cargo, when the accident transpired. [_LHTB_]

November 8. — A seam of coal, six feet thick, was won at Shincliffe colliery, upon which great rejoicing took place at Ford Hall, the residence of Mr. William Bell, the principal owner. [_LRL_]

December 30. — A new colliery was opened at Medomsley, by the Derwent Coal Company, and a flag placed on the works announcing that every thing was ready for the sale of coals. Operations were commenced about the beginning of August preceding. [_LHTB_]

• LHTB — Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham by M.A. Richardson. Published in five volumes in 1844.
• LRL — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by John Latimer, Published in 1857