WALLSEND. Gateshead, Northumberland. 3rd. November, 1786.
There had been an explosion at the bottom of the “A” pit on 9th June 1786 which occurred when a man was turning a steel mill. The explosion did little damage but the workmen did not work until 10th July when coal drawing was resumed at the pit. The repairs to the “B” pit were still proceeding when an explosion took on the above date, taking six lives. The men were making a communication between the two pits, a distance of 95 yards and were working in firedamp. There was no alternative but to use the steel mill or to work in absolute darkness. From the past experience they chose to work with no light of any kind and the communication was known as the “Dark Wall” for ever after.
Those who died were:
- Charles Dodds.
- Joseph Dodds.
- James Patterson.
- Ralph Dixon.
- Matthew Elliott.
- Mark Maddison.
REFERENCES
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway, Vol.1, p.292.
A History of Coal Mining in Great Britain. Galloway, p.126.
Sketches of Coal Mines in Northumberland and Durham. Hair.
Fynes. A History of the Northumberland and Durham Miners.
Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.
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