Wallsend Colliery Explosion – Wallsend – 1835

WALLSEND. Wallsend, Northumberland. 18th. June, 1835.

After the disaster of 1821, improvements had been made to the ventilation and for fourteen years there had been no accidents at the colliery until this one. The explosion caused the deaths of 102 men and boys and four others were seriously injured. Eleven horses were also killed.

The pit had been examined by the viewers and it was considered safe for the men to go down and work. There were four very experienced overmen and deputies down the pit at the time of the explosion. Two hundred and fifty men and boys were in the mine at the time of the disaster. The hewers had started work early in the morning and had finished getting coal. It was then brought to the bottom of the shaft by the young men and boys during the day. This was the customary way in which the colliery worked.

The explosion occurred in the Bensham Seam at about 2 p.m. Abut 60 hewers had left the pit after their mornings work and the majority in the pit were young persons, putters, drivers and trappers who were getting the coal out. Six hewers were working in the coal with candles. There were few indications of the disaster at the surface. One of the banksmen at ‘G’ Pit, John Patterson, had just unhooked the lowest full corve from the rope and placed an empty corve in the pit when a gust of wind blew it out and carried his hat over the headgear. Just after this the men saw smoke coming from the Pit. He described it as “a lightish colour” and as “a puff that ceased almost immediately”.

The two furnacemen employed in the “A” Pit succeeded in escaping through the “C” Pit and four persons were found alive at the bottom of “G” Pit but one of the men died soon afterwards. Eight men immediately volunteered to go down, but at the bottom of the shaft afterdamp drove them back up again and they were almost insensible when they got to the surface. Mr. Buddle and his assistants went down the “C” shaft but there was so much damage that they had to go to the surface without recovering any of the bodies. The day the bodies of two men and nineteen boys were recovered. Some had been burned but the majority had died from the effects of the afterdamp.

At about 10 a.m. on 20th June, three men were brought out of the mine alive. They had been entombed for 65 hours and it was said that they did not suffer from hunger. One of them had to have his leg amputated and died as a result which brought the final death toll to 102. There were seventeen women widowed, eight mothers who lost sons and forty-eight children less than 14 years of age left fatherless.

The men who died were:

• Thomas Simpson aged 62 years, overman, left a widow and twelve children.
• Joseph Lawson aged 63 years, deputy overman, left a widow and ten children.
• William Crister aged 56 years, deputy overman, left a widow and six children.
• William Crister jnr. aged 17 years, crane-man, son of William.
• John Robson aged 35 years, deputy overman, left a widow and five children.
• Andrew Robson aged 12 years, trapper son of John.
• Matthew Usher aged 12 years, trapper.
• Peter Green aged 16 years, stone stower.
• Luke Mason aged 19 years, putter.
• Peter Mason aged 17 years, putter.
• William Mason, aged 15 years, trapper.
• Robert Mason aged 13 years, trapper. The four “Masons” were brothers.
• Martin Brown aged 33 years, hewer, left a widow and three children.
• Robert Clarke aged 21 years, putter, brother-in-law of Martin Brown.
• William Dinning aged 17 years, putter.
• Bate. Dinning aged 12 years, putter, brother of William.
• Christopher Ovington sen., aged 67 years, door-keeper, left a widow and five children.
• Christopher Ovington jnr., putter Son of Christopher.
• John Stanness aged 20 years, putter.
• John Reveley aged 12 years, trapper.
• Edward Combey, aged 22 years, putter.
• Robert Combey, aged 20 years, putter.
• James Combey, aged 11 years, trapper. The three “Compeys” were brothers.
• Francis Bell aged 22 years crane-man.
• Richard Bell aged 19 years putter.
• William Bell aged 16 years rolley-driver.
• Robert Bell aged 13 years rolley-driver. The four “Bells” were brothers.
• John Gillis aged 20 years, putter left his mother with three of his children.
• Robert Roseby aged 8 years, trapper.
• John Lowry aged 15 years, lamp attendant.
• Cuthbert Reavely aged 43 years, hewer, left a widow and seven children.
• John Reavely aged 20 years, putter, son of Cuthbert.
• Thomas Reavely aged 16 years, helper-up, son of Cuthbert.
• John Hepple aged 12 years, trapper.
• John Roseby aged 12 years, putter.
• Joseph Roseby aged 10 years, putter, brother of John, cousin of Joseph and Christopher.
• Joseph Roseby aged 15 years, rolley-driver.
• Christopher Roseby aged 13 years rolley-driver, brother of Joseph, cousin of John and Joseph.
• Henry Giles aged 21 years, putter
• John Giles aged 19 years, putter.
• Andrew Giles aged 16 years, rolley-driver. The three “Giles” were brothers.
• Edward Combey aged 12 years, rolley-driver.
• John Buddle aged 19 years putter.
• Michael Buddle aged 17 years putter.
• Matthew Buddle aged 14 years putter. The three “Buddles” were brothers.
• Henry Appleby aged 17 years putter.
• James Appleby aged 11 years, trapper, brother of Henry.
• Joseph Harbottle aged 72 years, trapper, left a widow.
• Thomas Swan aged 13 years, rolley-driver.
• R. Pendleton aged 15 years, rolley-driver, left his mother with five children.
• Thomas Ellerton aged 14 years, lamp attendant, left his mother with three children.
• John English aged 19 years, putter.
• Roger Sharp aged 19 years, putter.
• Hutton Raite aged 18 years, putter.
• Christopher Raite aged 13 years, brother of Hutton and left their mother with three children.
• W. Thompson aged 53 years, sinker, left a widow and eight children.
• James Thompson aged 13 years, driver, son of W. Thompson.
• J. Thompson aged 14 years, rolley-driver.
• George Kennedy aged 16 years, rolley-driver.
• John Croser aged 23 years, hewer, left a widow and two children.
• Thomas Mason aged 12 years, trapper.
• James Green aged 19 years, crane-man.
• Thomas Reavely aged 34 years, hewer, left a widow and five children.
• John Reavely aged 11 years, son of Thomas.
• Thomas Moore aged 14 years, helper up.
• James Moore aged 12 years, way cleaner, brother of Thomas.
• Joseph Wright aged 21 years, putter.
• John Chicken aged 19 years, putter, left his mother with four children.
• John Soulsby aged 16 years, way cleaner.
• George Soulsby aged 14 years, trapper, brother of John.
• William Johnson aged 47 years, sinker, left a widow and two children.
• James Giles aged 19 years, putter.
• Edward M’Nay aged 18 years, putter.
• Ralph Waggott aged 75 years, trapper, left a widow and ten children.
• Matthew Soulsby aged 31 years, onsetter.
• George Kyle aged 9 years, trapper.
• John Waggott aged 21 years, putter, left his mother with three children.
• John Hall aged 18 years, putter.
• George Hall aged 11 years, putter, brother of John.
• Joseph Wanlass aged 10 years, trapper.
• William Reay aged 24 years, hewer, left his mother with a child.
• Andrew Reay aged 28 years, hewer, left a widow and three children, brother of William.
• Thomas Huggup aged 11 years, trapper.
• David Collins aged 19 years, putter, left his mother with two children.
• Luke Watson aged 15 years, trapper.
• Francis Haxon aged 14 years, trapper.
• James Cousin aged 20 years, putter.
• George Miller aged 16 years, putter.
• John Miller aged 12 years, trapper, brother of George.
• Thomas Sharp aged 19 years, putter, left his mother.
• Edward Bell aged 19 years, helper-up.
• Ralph Waggett aged 16 years, driver.
• J.C. Waggett aged 14 years, driver, brother of Ralph.
• William Patrick aged 17 years, trapper.
• David Patrick aged 15 years, trapper, brother of William.
• R. Wilkinson aged 21 years, trapper.
• W. Wilkinson aged 17 years, rolley-driver. the “Wilkinsons” were brothers.
• Robert Dawson aged 13 years, trapper.
• Percival Reed aged 15 years, way cleaner.
• John Reed aged 13 years, way cleaner, brother of Percival.

John Reed, father of Percival and John was one of four who were got out of the mine alive and had his leg amputated.

An article appeared in The Sydney Herald (Australia) on the 26th November 1835:

THE LATE AWFUL EXPLOSION AT WALLSEND.

We gave in our last such particulars as had transpired of the awful explosion at Wallsend Colliery, about four miles from Newcastle, on the 18th inst., by which 100 men and boys were killed, and four others seriously injured. We stated also that a Jury had been empanelled to inquire into the cause of this awful calamity, and that Monday, the 22d, was appointed for hearing the evidence.

The excitement which has existed in the neighbourhood of the mine during the past week cannot easily be described. On Sunday last great crowds of people repaired to Wallsend to witness the funerals of those whose bodies had been recovered and visitors from all parts of the country have since been attracted to the spot. The interest in attending this melancholy affair was considerably increased on Saturday night, when, on removing the materials at the bottom of the G shaft, thrown down by the explosion, three men and a boy were brought up alive.

The preservation of these individuals is miraculous. They had gone down the pit on the morning of Thursday, about five o’clock and had thus been underground, at a depth of 145 fathoms for sixty-five hours and as the explosion took place at two in the afternoon of Thursday, was perfectly sensible they had been literally entombed alive for fifty-six hours of the above period. Two of them when taken out, were delirious, and give incoherent and improbable accounts as of what had transpired; another had his leg so fractured as to render immediate amputation indispensable, and the fourth had his hands and face scorched. He is now confined to bed from the injuries he received but is in a fair way of recovery. We now proceed to give such particulars as could be collected by a visit to the scene of the severe calamity.

John Brown the most intelligent of the survivors, was at the bottom of the shaft of the G or Church Pit when the accident took place. He was what is called an “onsetter,” his duty being to fix the hook at the end of the rope upon the corves of coals previous to their being drawn up from the mine. He states that he was in the act of performing this duty when the pit-what he calls “fired” He had not the slightest apprehension of danger, and he states that he had no fear of working in the mine. The blast which came through the pit knocked him down, and he fell with his side upon the ram, or rolley, used for bringing the corves of coals. Near him was a little boy, Martin Delap, and at a short distance the other two men. How long Brown lay insensible he is not able to conjecture, but when he recovered sufficiently to reflect, he knew that a “blast” had occurred in the pit. The lights were, of course, extinguished by the foul air, and on groping about, the first thing that he discovered was, that the horse, within a few yards of him, had been killed, either by the blast of fire or the afterdamp. He eventually discovered the boy and the other two men. He got some water and refreshed himself and them. One of the men was already delirious. He talked of his wife and his home and insisted upon stripping his clothes off, under the impression that he was going to bed. In that state, he lay upon the floor of the mine, and the poor sufferers continued in this state of living death, until the happy hour of deliverance. The individuals thus miraculously preserved do not appear to have suffered from hunger.

The greatest praise is due to the pitmen belonging to the colliery, and to many others from distant parts, for their laudable and humane exertions in descending the mine to recover the bodies of those who have perished. We were present on one of these awful occasions, and the scene was one of deep and melancholy interest. In a shed near the G pit were several females, waiting in silent despair the result of these exertions about to be made to recover their relatives, and near them were a number of coffins. In another shed, still nearer the pit, a man was engaged in trimming, cleaning, locking, and lighting Davy lamps, to give light and security to the pitmen about to explore the mine. With these adventurous men, the shed and the space around the pit were crowded.

The rain descended torrents and they heeded it not. All being in readiness, four men took their Davy lamps and got into the corf. The signal was given, the machinery set in motion, and instantly they were out of sight. The operation was repeated until about 28 men had descended. There was no hesitation with any of them, the competition rather seemed to be, which should go down first. All was, however, conducted in silence, except the hoarse voice of the banksman giving the necessary signals.

In about half an hour, a rush of the spectators to the pit mouth proclaimed that a body had been brought to the bank. The women eagerly joined the throng, but instantly retired without a word – it was not he whom they sought, but a little boy, of whom an interesting anecdote is told. The accident, we need scarcely remind our local readers, occurred on the Thursday of Newcastle Races, when the Cup was appointed to be run for. The deceased had finished his own work but had bargained with another boy, who was anxious to visit the Racecourse, to remain at work for him. The stipulated wage for this service was one shilling, and that shilling cost the deceased his life. The boy’s name was Appleby.

During the progress of searching for the bodies, many other interesting facts were elicited. Of these, we have only space for the following:

In one of the most dangerous parts of the mine, situated near the old workings, were Lawson, a deputy overman, and eight boys. They were working in a place situated about 500 yards from the G pit shaft but were all found dead together within 160 yards of the shaft, under circumstances which afford additional cause of regret that so brave and humane a man should have fallen. In front of the body of Lawson were six of the boys, all lying together on each side of him was one of the youngest, and near the poor fellow’s body were the Davy lamps, all lying together, which the boys had used for the purposes of their occupation. These facts rendered the circumstances under which they perished obvious. The deputy had been attending to his duty, the explosion in a distant part of the mine had alarmed him and, disdaining to seek safety in flight so long as his young charges were exposed to danger, the obvious conjecture is that he had hastily collected the Davy lamps, hurried the older six boys before him through the mine, and taking each of the lesser ones by the hand, proceeded with all possible expedition towards the shaft. They had, as already stated, travelled several hundred yards when the afterdamp at once put a period to their fears, their hopes, and their toils.

On Monday the entire vicinity of the mine presented an appearance indescribably agonizing. On the afternoon of that day about 60 bodies were conveyed in carts to the parish church, where they were interred. We had an opportunity of witnessing this solemn scene and deem it not uninteresting to describe the ceremonies or customs which, preceded interment in each instance, and which, we understand, are prevalent throughout the pit districts.

When death has occurred two young men go around the neighbourhood apprising the inhabitants that such a one is dead and requesting their presence at the funeral at the time appointed. The young men who perform this service are called “askers.” At the time appointed, the people were invited to proceed to the house of the deceased, dressed in their holiday clothes, and sit down. On the table is placed a cheese and a supply of bread and ale. Portions of these are handed to the visitors by two young women, dressed in mourning, who are called “servers,” and it is not unusual for the men to indulge in a pipe of tobacco in addition. This custom is, however, observed in silence, and with a solemnity and decorum befitting the melancholy occasion. When all the visitors have been “served,” the coffin is brought to the door and placed upon a chair. A hymn is then sung, after which it is borne to the grave, preceded by the “askers ” with black scarves over then dress, and the “servers” with white hoods. After the body, follow those who mourn for the deceased, and the attendants bring up the rear. In the present melancholy instance, as we have said, the bodies were taken to the grave in carts, but a black pall was, in each instance, thrown over the coffin. In some cases three were taken from one house, and the scenes of distress – the lamentation and woe, visible in every direction, it was impossible to view unmoved. The coffins, we learn, were furnished by the owners of the mine, who also contributed 11, in addition, for the interment of each body.

Newcastle Journal.

The Coroner’s inquest continued until the 29th. June and an examination of the mine found that the explosion had not originated in any part of the workings. The indications of the greatest violence were near the “G” shaft and the source was traced to a point where two men were blasting down the roof in roller-way leading to the “B” Pit to make the height necessary for a horse to pass. These men had been allowed to use naked lights where blasting was going on but they had been restricted to safety lamps where the stones were deposited. Near where they were working there were doors which led to a highly dangerous part of the mine and form the position of the men’s lamps it was concluded that they had approached one of these doors with a naked light which caused the explosion of the gas that had accumulated in the workings.

A fatal feature of this was the blowing out of the brattice in the “G” Pit. From the experience at the “A” Pit in 1821, Mr. Buddle sunk the “G” form the Main Coal in two shafts, six feet in diameter, separated by a partition of rock but this arrangement failed to answer his expectations. One hundred feet of timber brattice above the Min Coal was carried away, fell down the shafts and close the mouths of the two shafts to the Bensham Seam. If this had not occurred, Mr. Buddle was of the opinion that the death toll would have been halved. The accident was cited as one which occurred in a mine where safety lamps were used.

After hearing all the evidence the Coroner summed up by saying:

Gentlemen, this unhappy occurrence which has taken place, might any day, any instant of time, or these last fourteen years, have happened and it can therefore be said that providence has been unwatchful of the lives of numerous individuals who have gained their bread in their perilous employment. For reasons of infinite wisdom, inscrutable to the human mind, it had been suffered to take place. The fire went forth and one hundred human beings have instantly been swept from the face of the earth. But are we to suppose that this awful visitation will pass away without anyone ultimately benefiting? May it not be the means of leading to investigation in the highest quarters? Men of science and leering will devote their thoughts, their energies, to the inquiry and who dare deny that the same Providence that so long arrested, and had now willed this deplorable event, may direct on some superior individual, whose gigantic mind may suitably grapple with the latent foe and generations yet unborn look back with gratitude to the cause of future protection. Thus may good spring out of evil.

The jury returned the following verdict:

We find our verdict to be Accidental Death, arising from the explosion of inflammable air but how, or in what part of the mine it originated, there is no evidence to show. In recording the verdict, the jury expresses their full conviction, that there has been no want of due care and precaution on the part of those who have direction and management of the mine.

Explosions in coal mines were becoming more frequent and the fact was being noticed by parliament. A motion in the House by Mr. Pease, M.P. for South Durham resulted in a Select Committee to inquire into the subject to be set up on the 2nd June 1835 to:

Inquire into the nature, cause and extent of those lamentable catastrophes which have occurred in the mines of Great Britain with the view of asserting and suggesting the means of preventing the recurrence of similar fatal accidents.

REFERENCES
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway. Vol.1, p.503.
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway. Vol.2, p.42.
Mining Journal. Vol.iii. p.43.
Latimers Local Records. p.61.
The Report of the Select Committee into Accidents in Mines, 1835. 2,594-6. 2,122-26, 2,307, 2,993.
Sykes’ Pamphlet.
Great Pit Disasters Great Britain. 1700 to the present day. Helen and Baron Duckham.
Report of the South Shields Committee.
A History of Coal Mining in Great Britain. Galloway.
Sketches of the Collieries in Northumberland and Durham. T.H. Hair.
The Wall’s End Miner or a Brief Memoir of the Life of William Crister by James Everett, 1868.
The Sydney Herald (Australia) 26th November 1835.

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