Mining engineer John Marley and businessman John Vaughan actively sought, and discovered, the Main Seam of ironstone at Eston; the mine opened in 1850 and remained at work continuously for the following 99 years, the biggest mine in the area producing 63 million tons.

The seam in places was up to 7 metres thick in some places which made it also the most dangerous mine with over 300 recorded fatalities.

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