New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
WATERS
Forename
William
Day
07
Month
10
Year
1904
Age
45
Occupation
Quarryman
Mine/Quarry Name
Coxheath Quarry
Mineral Worked
Sandstone
Owner
Stephen Harrison
Location
County
Durham
Details of Event
A 7-ton steam crane placed on the margin of the quarry was being used on the double power to pull a stone 7 feet 4 inches long 2 feet 2 inches wide and 3 feet deep out of its bed in the bottom of the quarry 60 feet below, when the jib rope broke and the jib .56 feet long fell and striking the edge of the quarry broke the greater part of it fell to the bottom of the quarry, and a piece, 6 feet long by 7 inches square flew off and struck deceased who was in the quarry. The jib rope was made of special plough steel it was 0.75 inch diameter and was made up of 6 strands round a hemp core each strand consisting of 24 wires also round a hemp core. It was supplied by the makers on July 5 1902, and they certified that the breaking strain was 16-63 tons. The jib drum was 10 inches diameter and as the rope was 3-ply between the mast head and end of the jib it passed over 3 pulleys about 16 inches diameter. The break occurred between the mast head and end of jib. The rope looked good. but on examining the individual wires many of them were found to be pitted and brittle.