Greengate Colliery

The colliery was situated by Elephant Lane. This colliery was first mentioned in 1869 when coal was being sold by W. Walmesley and Co. In the Inspector’s Report of 1873, the colliery had four pits, all drifts, and was worked by John Cross and Co. Ltd. He was the partner of W.J. Menzies of Greenbank Alkali Works. The colliery later appeared in the ownership of the Greengate Brick and Tile Co, when there were only eighteen men working there. The colliery closed in 1915. This colliery was owned by the Greengate Alkali Company and had a close connection with the chemical industry in the town.

10th. January 1873.
Michael McDermott aged 16 years, a labourer, was killed by an explosion of powder left by sinkers in a hut. 10th. January 1873 Michael McDermott aged 16 years, a labourer was killed by an explosion of powder left by sinkers in a hut. (Mines Inspectors Report)

15th. January 1877.
Robert Ashcroft aged 22 years, a collier died after being injured in a fall of roof 9th. May. (Mines Inspectors Report)

22nd. July 1877.
William Wilson aged 31 years, collier was killed by a fall of roof. (Mines Inspectors Report)

19th. March 1879.
Breaches of Colliery Rules. Joseph Dinsdale was charged with contravening Special Rule 4 at Greengate colliery. He pleaded guilty and was fined with costs. (St. Helens Newspaper and Advertiser)

25th. September 1874.
Fatal Accident at Thatto Heath.
Peter Lucas aged 58 years was killed in Greengate colliery. He and others were clearing an obstruction caused by a fall of roof. They had just about completed the work when a stone fell from the roof weighing about half a ton and killed him instantly. (Prescot Reporter)

9th. June 1877.
Serious accident at a St. Helens Colliery.
On Monday afternoon a serious accident took place to a young man named Henry M’Caulish who was employed as a waggoner in the No.3 pit better known at ‘Jockey Brown’ it belonging to Messrs. Menzies. A quantity of stone fell on him seriously injuring his head. He was sent home in a semi-conscious state and attended by Dr. Griffiths who ordered his removal to the Cottage Hospital fearing that he had internal injuries. (Prescot Reporter)

28th. July 1877.
Fatal Colliery Accident in St. Helens.
The accident was in the No.3 pit better known at ‘Jockey Brown ‘ it belonging to Messrs. Menzies at Thatto Heath when William Wilson, a collier was getting coal when he heard John Grundy who was working with others call for help. A number of men went to the spot and found that about three tons of stone and rubbish had fallen upon Wilson. He was released as soon as possible but it was found that Wilson was quite dead and Grundy had his thigh broken in several places. Wilson was taken to his home in Havelock Street and Grundy to Smithy Brow and Dr. Griffiths called. Wilson was 31 years of age and left a wife but no children. (Prescot Reporter)

9th. June 1877.
Serious Accident at Greengate Colliery.
Henry McCormack met with an accident on Monday morning at the Jockey Brow pit where he was employed as a waggoner. He was following his employment when a quantity of loose stone fell from the roof on him seriously injuring him. He was taken home in a semi-conscious state and seen by Dr. Griffiths who ordered his removal to the Cottage Hospital. Fortunately, no bones were broken and he is expected to make a full recovery. George Greenough aged 36 years, the fireman was crushed to death by a loaded tub as he passed the bottom of the balance brow owing to the chain breaking. (St. Helens Newspaper and Advertiser)

13th. December 1879.
Mysterious Death at a St. Helens Colliery.
John Twist, 39 years of age was found dead at the No.1 level of the Jockey Brow colliery. he went to work and 3 a.m. and nothing more was heard of him until twelve when a friend went to the colliery and asked the underlooker where he was. The underlooker and the foreman went down and made a search and found him dead and partly dressed at the place where he had been working. There were no marks on him. he was removed home and the inquest was held at the Golden Lion. It was thought he had died from apoplexy or disease. A witness said there was a twelve to fifteen per cent of gas in the atmosphere and if he had died from damp then his relatives would be entitled to some money. A post mortem was directed. Elijah West who worked on the same level said he thought he had ad found a little damp. John Wynn the assistant foreman said that there was no gas when he examined. Thomas Barton, the underlooker of the mine said he had never had a complaint of damp. Dr Griffiths made the examination and came to the conclusion that the man had died from suffocation which indicated poisoning by gas. The Inspector said that when he inspected the colliery he had found the ventilation weak and the colliers did not always complain to the officials even though they often felt unwell. The jury retired to consider their verdict and after a quarter of an hour when they agreed that he had met his death from suffocation and censured the officials for bad management. They also suggested that someone be appointed to see that all the men left after the day shift before the night shift men started work. (Prescot Reporter)

06-12-1879
TWIST John 40 Collier. Found dead at his working place. Supposed to have been suffocated by carbonic gas.

15th. February 1881.
Petty Sessions.
Mary Callaghan and John Keefe were charged with wilful damage to a railway embankment at Greenbank by picking and hauling coal from it. The prosecution said that people were in habit of going to the embankment to pick through the waste for small coal and pulled the bank to pieces. The two defendants had been caught by a constable stationed at Greenbank colliery. He said he saw prisoners ‘rooting’ in the embankment and remove small quantities of coal. Keefe had a bag half full of coal which he dropped as he ran off. The defendants were each fined 2/6d. with 7/6d. costs. (St. Helens Newspaper)

28th January 1882.
Closing of Greengate Colliery.
The Greengate Colliery Brick and Tile Co. at Thatto Heath is failing and the proprietors have decided to give notice to the workforce which recently expired and only a few men are now engaged in putting things in order. The colliery was opened about twelve years ago by John Cross and worked by Mr. Menzies and recently by the company of which he is a director. (Prescot Reporter)

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.