WEST MOOR. Killingworth, Northumberland. 3rd. April, 1845.

Two weeks before the explosion, a fault had been cut through and a blower started between shifts. From the bottom of the shaft, there was a stone drift which ran south-west bout 900 yards to the water level. From this, three drifts branched off along the level for about 1,100 yards to the south-east from which there was a couple of headings into the solid coal, 300 yards to the northeast. The explosion took place at the extremity of one of these headings.

The first indication of disaster came from two hewers. They described the explosion as “coming back on them”, that is from workings. The air in the workings rushed along the drift to the pit mouth, carrying with it dust particles which the men called “stour” and gave the indication at the surface that there had been an underground explosion. A continuous stream of water was directed down the shaft and this helped the rescuers.

Those who died were:

  • John Sharp, hewer who left a widow and six children.
  • William Sharp, his brother also a hewer who left a widow and seven children.
  • Robert Hall, deputy aged 24 years.
  • Matthew Thompson, putter.
  • William Moulter, trapper boy.
  • Thomas Stewart, trapper boy.
  • Thomas Thompson, hewer left a widow and four children.
  • Peter Tweedie, hewer.
  • John Hindmarsh, trapper boy.
  • John Grey, putter boy.

At the inquest, a collier who left workings said that pit was safe one hour before the disaster. Joseph Browner, overman said that he had inspected pit and found it safe. John Wales, the viewer at colliery said that lamps were not needed in the pit.

It was believed that the gas was ignited by a little boy with a naked light, who was allowed to go down before the men, who had Davy lamps. Ten lost their lives, four men and six youths though some reports say ten lives were lost. The blower continued to issue forth gas for some time.

The Coroner said he could find no fault with the ventilation of the colliery and a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.

 

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

Return to previous page