Rock Slope & Pit

ROCK SLOPE

On the 14th of May 1858, William Bevan, a boy working at this colliery went into the smiths’ shop to have some tools sharpened. Thomas Evans, described as an old man, who worked at the forge, took a piece of iron out of the fire and pushed it into Bevan’s face severely burning him. In front of the magistrates, Evans claimed it was an accident but was fined £5.00. However, Evans could not pay, so went to prison for two months hard labour.

On the 16th of April 1887, another Thomas Evans, aged 32 years, and a labourer was Injured between a tram and the side of the road. He died the following day. He was in front of the tram taking out a sprag when the pony went on and he got crushed. This mine was worked by John Vipond and Company. It was managed in 1888 by J. Nixon, and along with the pit employed 651 men in 1894, with 316 men being employed in the slope alone in 1900. In 1902 it was still being worked for gas, house and steam coals.

ROCK PIT (SO252054)

On the 18th of November 1838, Joseph Davidson, fell to his death down the shaft. He was a native of Northumberland and a glue make by trade and had only been employed at the pit for four days.

The Rock Vein (known as the Black Vein in other areas, or by the NCB as the Nine-Feet seam) was worked along with the Meadow Vein and Old Coal seams. In 1894 it employed 651 men with the Rock Slope and in 1900 it employed 419 men alone. It appears to have closed in 1938.

Information supplied by Ray Lawrence and used here with his permission.