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Full Details

Surname
BLOOMFIELD
Forename
John
Day
11
Month
11
Year
1907
Age
54
Occupation
Hewer
Mine/Quarry Name
Ashington
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Ashington Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Ashington
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
Deceased was employed in longwall workings in No.5 Dip flat of the Low Main seam of the Duke pit. The seam is 5.5 feet thick and is overlaid by blue metal it lies at an inclination of 5 or 6 inches per yard. The face advances in a straight line across the hill, and tubs are drawn up, it by an electric motor. The tub road is protected by pairs of gears, and behind it near the goaf are two rows of chocks set off and on as the face advances from the tub road planks with middle props are set at right angles to it. The deputy was only 7 yards away when the accident happened and had ten minutes before sounded the roof at the point and considered it safe nevertheless, a stone 6 feet long at right angles to the face and 21 feet wide on the average, with a maximum thickness of 1 foot 10 inches tell from the roof close to the coal between two planks, and killed deceased. The stone was half a horse back with a jack at one side and its upper surfaces damp and smooth. There was an ample supply of loose timber at hand. The Local Inspectors described the fall in their report and remarked ‘Plenty timber close at hand right length.'