JARROW. Jarrow, Northumberland. 21st. August, 1845.

The Low Main and the Bersham Seams were worked at the colliery which had one single bratticed shaft which served as both downcast and upcast. The explosion took place in the Low Main on a Thursday at about 1 p.m. when there were about 75 men in the mine which was worked with naked lights. Of these, thirty-six were working in the Low Main Seam from which there was only one survivor. The men who were working in the Bersham Seam, 120 feet above, suffered the effects of the afterdamp and three men and two boys lost their lives.

Those who lost their lives were:

  • W. Wallar aged 35 years, who left a wife.
  • James Hall aged 25 years, who left a wife.
  • Robert Bord aged 13 years. Not found.
  • Joseph Scranton aged 21 years.
  • John Charlton aged 18 years.
  • Thomas Wailes aged 44 years who left a wife and three children.
  • Thomas Wailes aged 20 years, his son.
  • William Bates aged 33 years who left a wife and three children.
  • John Musgrave aged 50 years who left a wife and child.
  • John Musgrave Jnr. aged 18 years.
  • Benjamin Robson aged 19 years who left a wife.
  • George Atkinson aged 19 years.
  • John Foster aged 21 years.
  • Robert Foster aged 14 years.
  • Thomas Liddle aged 34 years who left a wife and four years.
  • William Charlton aged 42 years who left a wife and child.
  • John Elliot aged 20 years.
  • William Elliot aged 14 years.
  • Thomas Love aged 48 years who left a wife and two sons.
  • Joseph Barmborough aged 14 years.
  • John McLeod aged 40 years who left a wife and three children.
  • Robert Ramshaw aged 18 years.
  • John Hills aged 44 years who left a wife and three children.
  • Robert Fairclough aged 13 years.
  • Ralph Arrowsmith aged 24 years who left a wife and six children.
  • James Steward aged 67 years who left a wife.
  • Mark Willis aged 34 years who left a wife and six children.
  • John Bordis aged 59 years who left three children.
  • Thomas Bordis, son of John.
  • Joseph Wantess aged 41 years who left a wife and son.
  • William Waddle aged 42 years who left a wife and three children.
  • John Cockburn aged 32 years who left a wife and four children.
  • George Cram aged 29 years, who left a wife and three children.
  • George Willis aged 20 years who left a wife.
  • Cuthbert Bell aged 26 years who left a wife.
  • James Cockburn aged 27 years.
  • Jacob Defty aged 46 years who left a wife and six children.

The accident was thought to have been caused by an inrush of gas into the workings, none of which were more than 300 yards from the shaft. There were two explosions within a few minutes and the survivor from the Low Main Seam said he saw the second explosion bearing down on him. He said it “was very dark and black” and he saved himself by throwing himself to the ground. He saw no flame but there was a great quantity of smoke and dust.

There were efforts after the disaster by the miners to get a full inquiry and they chose Mr. Mather, Mr. M. Jude and Mr. Horn as their representatives. Mr. Mather went down the pit after the disaster and when the inquiry started, Mr. Horn asked the Coroner to adjourn the inquest as Mr. Mather was suffering the effects of the afterdamp by the Coroner would not do so. Mr. Horn, then asked if he could ask questions at the inquiry but again permission was refused. The Corner said that he considered himself a competent person to conduct the inquiry and manage his court.

The miners were looking for legislation to govern their work and Leyell and Faraday had petitioned the House of Commons in March 1845 but Parliament, while expressing their interest, did not fully understand the situation. Another Commission under Sir H.T. de la Benche and Dr. Lyon Playfair was appointed in August that years. they were directed to inquire into the explosive gasses generated in coal mines. This Commission was sitting when the explosion occurred.

Dr. Playfair conducted an inquiry into the disaster and reported on the 1st of June 1846. His conclusions cast doubts on the absolute safety Davy lamps and condemned the practice of working a colliery with a single shaft.

A Subscription Fund was started on behalf of the sufferers which realised about £7,000.

 

REFERENCES
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway. Vol.2, p.51.
Latimers Local Records. p.204.
Dunn’s Winning and Working, 1845. p.292.
Fynes’. History of the Northumberland and Durham Miners. p.167.
A History of Coal Mining in Great Britain. Galloway.
The Report of the Select Committee on Accidents in Coal Mines. 1853.
The Illustrated London News, 30th August 1845.

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

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