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

No. 33. — Shaft Accident.

This accident occurred in the winding shaft of the Middle Duffryn Colliery, which is about 165 yards deep, the property of Messrs. Powell and Son. It is fitted up with two carriages, guide chains, and a four-link winding chain. A rope is conveyed down the shaft in a box, and works an engine plane underground. On the morning of the accident five men were descending the shaft, when after being lowered to within 40 yards of the bottom, the carriage suddenly stopped, and the winding chain slacked out on the carriage and down into the shaft. Two of the men slid down the guide chain. A signal was given (in mistake) by the man at the bottom to wind up the slack chain, and the instant the engine started, the carriage with a jerk fell to the bottom and killed three men. On examination, it was found that the wire rope had forced itself out of the box and twisted itself into a loop in which the carriage was caught, and remained until the engine started.

The box had been examined before this occurrence, and was found in good repair.

It was supposed that the trams on the engine plane had got off the road, and the rope on being paid out broke through the box.

It is possible if the misunderstanding had not occurred with regard to the signal, the men might have saved themselves by going down the guide chains.

Source: 1858 Mines Inspectors Report, by Thomas Evans, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 107

	Jones, John, aged 30, Collier, Winding chain breaking ; banksman misunderstanding signal
	Jones, Matthew, aged 36, Collier, Winding chain breaking ; banksman misunderstanding signal
	Williams, William, aged 40, Collier, Winding chain breaking ; banksman misunderstanding signal
	All names found
	Those names marked with , have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the web page.

Return Return to Top