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

1852

January 10. — In consequence of a high wind from the northeast, the tide rose to an unusual height in Shields harbour, and nearly 100 feet of the wall at Clifford's Fort was carried away. A number of vessels broke from their moorings, and during the day the Blackett and Ridley, one of the oldest colliers in the trade, was lost at sea. Much damage was done to the new docks, at Sunderland, and the lighthouse on the south pier was almost washed away by the waves. [_LRF_]

February 24. — Died, at Sunderland, aged 59, Mr. Thomas Pigg. The deceased, in his younger days, followed the laborious employment of a coal trimmer, and was, up to the age of 37, so ignorant of the rules of arithmetic as to be unable to calculate his wages, but by excessive application and perseverance he became one of the first mathematicians in the North of England, and for many years answered the most difficult problems in the "Ladies' Diary." He contributed to several mathematical periodicals, and was extensively known and appreciated by scientific men. [_LRF_]

May 6. — A fearful explosion of gas took place in Hebburn Colliery, near Newcastle, the property of Messrs. Easton and Co. Two hundred workmen were in the mine when the calamity occurred, but the effects were confined to the Monkton Flat, in which twenty men and two boys were working, all of whom were suffocated. Fourteen of the sufferers left widows and families, and, as proof of the uncertainty of life amongst miners, one of the women lost two husbands in the same awful manner. [_LRF_]

June 4. — A dreadful boiler explosion occurred at Spital Tongues Colliery, near Newcastle, by which the engineman and fireman were killed. The fragments of the boiler were thrown in all directions, and portions of it struck two women and inflicted serious injuries. [_LRF_]

June 16. — An explosion took place in Seaton Colliery, near Seaham, Durham. Six men and a boy were working at the place where the accident happened, and all of them perished. [_LRF_]

June 30. — A splendid iron screw steamer, constructed by Messrs. Palmer Brothers, at Jarrow, and the first vessel of that description which had been built for the London coal trade, was launched in the presence of a numerous and influential concourse of spectators. At the conclusion of the ceremony about three hundred ladies and gentlemen partook of an elegant luncheon, provided by the builders. C. Palmer, esq., presided, supported by the Mayors of Newcastle, Shields, Sunderland, and Gateshead, and several of the principal merchants of the district. The proceedings concluded with a ball, which was led off by the Mayoress of Newcastle and Mr. C. Palmer. The vessel, which was named the John Bowes, was 465 tons register, was calculated to carry thirty keels of coals, and to make thirty trips per annum between Newcastle and London. It was ballasted with water under a recent patent of Dr. White, of Newcastle. July 29, the vessel sailed from the Tyne with her first cargo of coals, arrived in the Thames on the 31st, and completed her return voyage to the north on the 3rd of August. [_LRF_]

October 6. — The extensive estates of North and South Gosforth, Seaton Burn, and Coxlodge, the property of the Rev. R. H. Brandling, were sold by auction at the Queen�s Head Inn, Newcastle, by order of the Court of Chancery, Mr. Alderman Farebrother, of London, auctioneer. Amongst the principal lots, the manor of North and South Gosforth, 790 acres in extent, was bought by Mr. T. Smith for £25,200; Low Gosforth Estate was purchased by Joseph Laycock, esq., for £20,000; Seaton Burn House, Six Mile Bridge Farm, and Coxlodge Farm were sold to Mr. Riddell Robson for £24,000; High and Low Weetslade, Wideopen, and Brunton Farms were knocked down to Mr. Smith for £46,000. The total proceeds of the sale reached £155,000, exclusive of the timber. [_LRF_]

• LRF — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by T. Fordyce, Published in 1867