Beamish Colliery

1903 - Burn Drift - Main Coal (Wear) seam abandoned - coal exhausted

1908 - Five Quarter seam abandoned

1911 - Five Quarter seam abandoned

1932, 26 Sep - Shield Row seam abandoned

1937, 24 Dec - Tilley seam abandoned

1938, 18 May - Low Main, Shield Row seams abandoned

1950 - Hutton seam abandoned

Alderson, Charles William Peter, 13 Sep 1960, aged 50, Buried: Harelaw Cemetery (new), on Sat 17th Sep 1960 @ 11:30am

Alderson, Robert, 1961, died whilst removing pit props [approximate date]

Aldirs, Henry, 01 Apr 1905, aged 41, Hewer, On April 1st deceased lifted a tub on to the way at the plate ends and his foot slipped, and he said he felt a pain in his right breast. He finished his shift, but told the deputy he had strained himself slightly. After he went home he became ill, and pneumonia caused his death. An inquest was held at which medical evidence, given after a post-mortem examination, showed that death was due to pneumonia and not from any injury, and so the Jury found

Andrews, William, 21 Nov 1877, aged 34, Enginewright, repairing shaft, fell from scaffolding 47 fathoms

Armstrong, Benjamin W., 07 Jul 1875, aged 13, Driver, crushed by a tub, Chester Ward Coroner's Inquest, place: Beamish, cause: crushed, Low Main seam, 2nd Pit (DRO Ref: COR/C/2/327)

Armstrong, Thomas, 18 Apr 1886, aged 33, Sinker, fall of stone from side of sinking pit

Ashburn, George, 30 Sep 1955, aged 43, he was sitting having his bait under a set of roof supports when the roof collapsed; he was crushed, left a wife and two children, Buried: Stanley Cemetery

Atkinson, George, 10 Oct 1868, aged 48, Horse Keeper, breaking of pit rope

Baines, Robert, 30 Apr 1903, (accident: 24 Apr 1903), aged 52, Hewer, Deceased was engaged kirving in a whole place, 6 yards wide, in the Busty seam, which here has a stone band in the centre. He had kirved about 4 feet across the middle of the place in the bottom coal when a portion of the band fell upon him. The deputy had been in the place two hours before the accident. The Local Inspectors reported, "it is our true opinion that it was a pure accident."

Beckwith, Joseph, 27 Dec 1897, aged 14, Driver, A short plate had been placed across the way at the crossing. He was driving a full set outbye, sitting on the first tub, when it came in contact with this plate, throwing him off the tub against the wall side and the tub against him [Inquest attended]

Brown, William, 04 Feb 1895, 9:00 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 53, Hewer, deceased asked one of the putters to bring him his pricker, which he did, and set it down, lying against some props with the point upwards; when deceased got up, he stumbled, and fell against the pricker, which penetrated his brain

Buckle, F., 19 May 1948, (accident: 26 Jul 1938), aged 57, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Charlton, William Taylor, 09 Oct 1893, 12:15 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 30, Deputy, He was drawing timber out of an old working place, when one of the props sprang out and struck him on the hack of the head. Had he used a "punch" or chain and lever instead of his axe, he would have got out of the way [Inspection made], Buried: St. Andrew's Churchyard, Stanley

Chaytor, S., 19 Oct 1945, aged 48, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Clough, Mark, 10 Aug 1917, Hewer, run over by two tubs coming round curve, badly crushed, and died two hours later [date of inquest]

Clough, William, 01 Mar 1905, aged 28, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Andrew's Churchyard, Stanley [More information ...]

Conlan, John, 04 Jan 1892, 6:30 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 23, Screener, Deceased and another man were sent to bring some empty tubs from the gangway of a tipping stage, and in passing round them he either slipped or had a fit, and fell down a shoot [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Davison, Joseph, 30 Mar 1875, aged 15, Driver, crushed by tubs running over him

Davison, Robert, 21 Aug 1868, aged 18, Underground Bankrider, run over by tubs, his brother (Thomas) was killed at Twizell in 1874

Dick, John, 12 Feb 1891, (accident: 10 Feb 1891, 6:15 a.m., 2nd hour of shift), aged 29, Stoneman, Both men went into some old workings to seek from rails, Gowland carrying a safety lamp and Dick a candle. When near the place they wanted to be at, Gowland went in first to see if there was any gas, but Dick following in too soon ignited some gas, which was lying in the rood, at his candle [Inspection made & Inquest attended] [More information ...]

Dodd, John, 18 Feb 1915, aged 50, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, West Pelton

Dodds, Michael, 18 Dec 1876, aged 40, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Donnelly, John, 14 Jun 1895, aged 32, Hewer, he was run over by some empty waggons when attempting to get a ride to his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Duncan, Robert Alexander, 28 Aug 1906, aged 14, Driver, Deceased was a driver in Ouston, a pit the property of Messrs. Chas. Perkins & Partners. He had come up the pit at the end of his shift, and when about 50 yards from the pit attempted to get on a truck of a set of five, which, drawn by a rope, was passing at a speed of 10 or 11 miles per hour on the Beamish Colliery railway. He was run over and only lived a few minutes. Even had he succeeded in getting on to the truck he would only have ridden about 50 yards and then got off while the set was still in motion. Notice boards prohibiting trespassing are placed on the line.

Fishburn, J. W., 02 Dec 1933, (accident: 17 Nov 1933), aged 32, Putter, crushed by tub, died from injuries received

Fisher, Joseph, 17 May 1890, aged 14, Driver, fell in front of a tub he was driving

Fletcher, J., 18 Dec 1866, aged 55

Fletcher, William, 30 Mar 1895, 1:15 p.m., 9th hour of shift, aged 16, Rope Lad, deceased was waiting at the bottom of the shaft to go to the surface; evidently some misunderstanding had taken place with the signals given by the onsetter to the banksman and engineman at the surface, for on attempting to enter the cage it was moved away and deceased fell into the shaft, Buried: St. Andrew's Churchyard, Stanley [More information ...]

Foreman, Robert Charles, 02 Mar 1900, killed whilst in the act of getting on to a set of waggons - a proceeding which was strictly forbidden

Forster, John, 06 Sep 1901, aged 55, Hewer, The deceased attempted to get into the bottom deck of the cage after it had been signalled away and was crushed between the cage and framing [Inquest attended]

Gilfellan, John, 09 May 1896, aged 30, Hewer, The engine road was in good order and it is difficult to say how he met with the accident [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Goldsborough, H., 03 Apr 1949, (accident: 13 Dec 1946), aged 59, Hewer, died from injuries received

Gowland, John, 16 Feb 1891, (accident: 10 Feb 1891, 6:15 a.m., 2nd hour of shift), aged 56, Master Stoneman, Both men went into some old workings to seek from rails, Gowland carrying a safety lamp and Dick a candle. When near the place they wanted to be at, Gowland went in first to see if there was any gas, but Dick following in too soon ignited some gas, which was lying in the rood, at his candle [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...]

Haisley, John, 05 Sep 1878, aged 28, Chock Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

Hall, J., 10 Aug 1894, Enginewright, was superintending some work underground when he was seized with an apoplectic fit; he was immediately removed to the surface and taken home, but died within three hours of the attack

Hare, James, 02 Mar 1910, aged 33, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Harrison, George, 02 Apr 1870, aged 56, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hole, Robert, 1920, aged 20, killed limmers, pony and tub [details approximate]

Holmes, Daniel, 06 Dec 1873, aged 21, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Jacques, David, 19 Nov 1896, aged 24, Hewer, He was just holing through into the next headways, but before doing so was in the act of setting a plank at the face when the stone came away from a sandy parting. As a rule little timber was required for the roof. Died March 9th [Inquest attended]

Jobson, Robert, 24 Oct 1933, aged 20, Putter, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, West Pelton

Johnson, Benjamin, 23 Aug 1895, 8:00 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 15, Driver, it seems that deceased must have fallen in front of a set of tubs which he was driving and run over; it may be that he was riding on the limmers instead of the tub

Johnson, George, 08 Jul 1870, aged 19, Water Leader, killed by a fall of stone

Jopling, J., 06 Sep 1871, aged 23, Rider, run over by waggons

Lavin, J., 11 Mar 1929, aged 40, Hewer

Lee, Matthew, 11 Dec 1889, aged 23, Blacksmith, crushed while erecting new screens

Legg, George, 01 Dec 1912, (accident: 02 May 1912), aged 20, Putter, whilst waiting for tubs to put, he had gone to hew some coal in a newly turned away gateway, when a large flat stone 4 ft. thick by 5 ft. square fell from slips in the roof; it is probable he had not examined the place properly; he died December 1st

Lock, Anthony, 15 Oct 1867, aged 23, Brakesman, fell amongst machinery

Long, James, 18 Aug 1906, aged 16, Endless Rope Attendant, killed by machinery, Buried: St. Andrew's Churchyard, Stanley [More information ...]

Maddison, Robert, 26 Aug 1897, aged 13, Water Leader, He was caught at the endless way "knock-off." The road was a very good one, with plenty of room at the side where he ought to have been walking, and there is no doubt that he was riding on the rope. It was his second day at this particular work, and he had been given instructions on the preceding day as to his duties by the man who accompanied him [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Maughan, Albert Edwin, 26 Nov 1907, aged 18, Pony Putter, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, West Pelton [More information ...]

McConville, John, 07 Mar 1910, aged 16, Hopper lad, Suffocated in hopper

Millar, William, 07 Mar 1832, drowned, body recovered 23rd March [More information ...]

Moody, Robert, 07 Mar 1832, aged 35, drowned, body recovered 23rd March, left a pregnant wife and four children [More information ...]

Morpeth, William, 26 Aug 1903, aged 41, Hewer, Deceased was working along with another miner in a longwall face when he suddenly fell off his cracket and died without speaking. No accident happened to him. The Local Inspectors examined the place and reported that they "found it in good working order and safe." The doctor pronounced death to be due to heart disease and no inquest was held.

Nicholson, J. C., 11 Dec 1872, aged 14, Driver, run over by tubs

Nicholson, John, 12 Jul 1883, aged 60, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, West Pelton

Pearson, Anthony, 20 Aug 1886, aged 63, Back Overman, crushed by full tub

Pearson, J., 08 Mar 1872, aged 20, Waggon Driver, run over by waggon

Potter, Henry Barrass, 03 Jan 1912, aged 16, Pony Driver, whilst following behind two tubs drawn by the pony he was driving, up a slight rinse, the yoke of the limbers broke, the tubs, running back, caught him; a drag behind the tubs should have been used, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, West Pelton

Proud, Matthew, 04 Oct 1876, aged 18, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Richardson, Edward, 23 Oct 1913, aged 15, Pony Driver, whilst deceased was driving two full tubs outbye from a passbye he was fatally crushed between the first tub and a middle prop set underneath a balk; it is supposed that he was riding on the limbers, when his foot slipped off the buffer, causing him to fall forward; there was 3 inches clearance between the side of the tub and prop

Richardson, Joseph, 27 Aug 1883, aged 60, Rolleywayman, struck by prop used as a lever to lift fallen horse

Richardson, P., 25 Aug 1870, aged 12, Driver, crushed by tubs

Richardson, William, 11 Apr 1890, 9:00 p.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 19, Shifter, when riding in an empty tub his head caught against a baulk of timber, causing such injuries that he afterwards died

Robson, John, 21 May 1909, aged 61, Hewer, fall of roof stone at longwall face, Buried: St. Andrew's Churchyard, Stanley

Ruddick, Daniel, 18 Jan 1927, aged 30, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery

Scott, David, 01 Apr 1870, aged 21, Hewer, riding on laden tubs on engine plane

Scott, David, 01 Apr 1871, aged 20, Hewer, crushed by tubs on engine plane

Seymour, William John, 14 Mar 1877, aged 26, Hewer, fall of stone from slippery back in jud

Shaw, William, 19 May 1903, (accident: 13 May 1903), aged 58, Shifter, Deceased was at work on the 13th-14th May, and complained of a pain in his side which he stated was caused by falling on a prop; he worked no more until the 18th May and returned home on the 19th, complaining of a pain across his chest, and he died that day at 5.30 a.m., no doctor having seen him. A post mortem examination revealed heart disease, and medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to this cause and that the accident had no bearing on his death.

Smith, J., 03 Nov 1944, (accident: 01 Nov 1944), aged 51, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Smith, Nicholas, 12 Sep 1885, aged 39, Sinker, when in bottom of sinking pit, the stones from a kibble which was being drawn to surface fell upon him

Stanforth, John, 30 Jul 1907, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof [More information ...]

Teasdale, N., 31 Oct 1929, (accident: 16 Sep 1929), aged 29, Banksman, died from injuries received

Thompson, Frederick, 18 Jan 1918, aged 37, Rolleyman, he was attending to a friction wheel in the Busty Seam, when a lad pushed a tub over the turn, and knocked him between the rope and the wheel, he was decapitated [date of report]

Tilley, William, 03 Apr 1886, aged 25, Waggon Driver, waggon passed over him

Tiplady, Thomas, 30 Oct 1868, aged 12, Wailer, fell off tramway in coal shed

Turnbull, Frederick, 04 Jan 1881, aged 25, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Wood, James, 16 Feb 1899, aged 63, Screener, He was standing on the brake lever of the first of three waggons which he was lowering down, and was crushed against a stationary waggon close to the junction of the two lines [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Wylie, William, 03 Aug 1911, aged 35, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone