Museum
Friends of Durham Mining Museum
Events Calendar
e-Books and Books for sale
Photograph Gallery
Document Archive
Master Name Index
Discussion Forums
What's new in the site

Mining History
Colliery Index
Colliery Index
Shaft cross sections
Borings and Sinkings
List of Mines
Colliery Managers
Abandoned Seams
Colliery Maps
Company Overviews
Who's Who
Mineral Information
Managers Certificates
Educational Material
Bibliography
Statistics
Workers/Employee Lists
Notes for Family Historians

Disaster Reports
Names of those killed
Disasters in the 1700s
Disasters in the 1800s
Disasters in the 1900s
Memorials
Awards for Gallantry

Links to other sites of interest
Industrial Heritage Days Out
Former www.pitwork.net site

View our Guestbook

Index to site

Contact and address details


  Hetton Colliery  Index  Hetton Colliery  

Hetton Colliery

also known as Hetton Lyon's Colliery , Lyon's Colliery


  Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Location: Hetton-le-Hole
6 miles [10 km] ENE of Durham
Map Ref: (Sheet 88) NZ360469, 54° 48' 56" N, 1° 26' 23" W
Maps: 1860s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
1898 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
1928 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
1950s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)
Opened: 1822
Closed: 11 Jul 1950
Pits: Blossom Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ359470, sinking: 06 Dec 1820
  Shaft details for Blossom Pit
Minor Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ359470, sinking: 23 Dec 1820
  Shaft details for Minor Pit
Owners: 1822 - Hetton Coal Co.
1850's - Hetton Coal Co. (Hon. A. Cochrane & Partners)
1911 - Lambton & Hetton Collieries Ltd
1923 - Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Collieries Ltd.
1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output: 1873 - Coal.
1888 - Coal.
1896 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1902 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1914 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household.
1921 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household. Fireclay.
1930 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam.
1950 - Coal: Gas, Household, Steam. Fireclay.
Employment:
Year Pit  Total Below Above
1854Working
18961,020545475
1902937516421
1914933597336
19211,070705365
1930789643146
194040335449
1945426324102
195044135388
  Colliery Management (prior to 1955)
Seams Worked: 1894 - Hutton, Low Main, Main Coal
1914 - Hutton, Low Main, Main Coal
1921 - Low Main, Main Coal
1930 - Main, North Low Main, South Low Main
1950 - Five Quarter, Low Main, Main, Maudlin
    Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Hetton Colliery
Notes:

1820 - Engine or Blossom Pit, Hetton Colliery, was sunk from surface to Main Coal Seam. Commenced sinking in the Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery, below the Main Coal Seam, down to the Hutton Seam.

1915 - Hutton seam abandoned

  Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Hetton Colliery


  Summary Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Description

The population of Hetton some thirteen years ago amounted to about 500 persons, at which period a colliery was commenced by the late Hon. Captain Cochrane, R.N. and Partners, which has so much increased in value in late years, that it is estimated that there are nearly 8,000 persons chiefly dependant upon it. The coals are got at a depth of from 150 to 350 yards, and are let down a railway seven miles in length, and shipped on the banks of the River Wear near Sunderland, where the company have extensive wharfs for the shipping and landing goods, and where vessels of large burden can ride in safety.

Pigot's 1834 Directory of County Durham


Hetton Colliery is the property of the Hetton Coal Company, Limited. The winning of this colliery formed a new area in the history of mines and of geological science. Geologists previously asserted that coal did not exist beneath the Magnesian Limestone, or, if it did exist, they said it must be deteriorated both in quality and thickness ; but this colliery has been sunk through a bed of this stone, fifty eight yards in thichness ; and, so far from being deteriorated, the coal is excellent both in quality and thickness. The sinking of the shaft was commenced on the 19th December 1820 ; the Main coal was reached on the 3rd of September 1822, at a depth of 109 fathoms, 6 feet, 6 inches thickness, with 18 inches of coarse coal at the top, and a 10 inch band of slate shale, 4 feet of good coal, and 1 foot of bottom ; Low Main, 131 fathoms deep, 4 feet in thickness ; the Hutton seam, 148 fathoms deep, with 4 feet 7½ inches of good coal, 3½ inches of band, and 1 foot 3 inches of bottom coal. There are two pits, known as the Minor and Blossom, which are ventilated by furnaces and boiler fires, three in Main seam and three in the Hutton seam, circulating 190,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The shaft sidings and stables are lighted by electricty. The number of hands employed under ground is 613 ; above, 306 ; adjacent to the pits, 132, making a total of 1051, with an output of 1000 tons per day.

The tin cased Davy lamp is used at these collieries, all of which are left at the lamp-room by the workmen and cleaned by machinery. Here are 200 beehive coke ovens, from which seven boilers are heated by the surplus heat during the process of making coke. The Hutton coal is known in the market as the Hetton Wallsend first house coal, the rest, such as the Hetton Lyons Main, second house, gas and steam coal, are shipped at the company's staiths at Sunderland. The Hetton, Elemore, and Eppleton collieries are connected by about nine miles of private railway. Here also are fire brick works, engineering, blacksmiths', and joiners' shops.

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham


  Summary Description Names Local Collieries Credits  

Disasters (5 or more killed)

  20th Dec 1860  Accumulation of fire damp exploded when boiler fire doors opened, 22 lives lost (Show Names)

  Summary Description Disasters Local Collieries Credits  

Names of those killed at this colliery

Please note that this collection of names is by no means complete!

      

Agar, William, 27 Jun 1861, aged 19, Putter, crushed by a tub

     

Alderson, Edward, 03 Aug 1903, aged 57, Labourer, killed by being crushed between the buffer of a coke truck and the end of a coal waggon, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Armstrong, J. T., 19 Jan 1921, (accident: 03 Mar 1918), aged 57, Onsetter, died from injuries received

      

Atkinson, Thomas, 14 Dec 1889, aged 21, Locomotive Fireman, while uncoupling waggons his foot got fast in a crossing and the locomotive and tender ran over him

      

Atkinson, William, 06 Jun 1859, aged 44, Hewer, fall of top coal in main coal seam

      

Bassick, James, 22 Jan 1892, aged 16, Putter, died from a blow on his knee, alleged to have been received while working in the pit; but no such accident seems to have occurred [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

      

Bell, George, 15 Aug 1877, aged 13, Screener, while lowering empty waggons down to screens, a thing he had no right to do, he fell before them and was run over

     

Berrisford, Thomas William, 17 Feb 1915, aged 15, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Best, James, 27 Aug 1888, aged 47, Hewer, while engaged along with another man in taking an empty tub up an incline, a tub full of stone ran amain from the top, which joined them with great force, and Best was killed

     

Bond, Michael, 31 Jan 1898, aged 49, Deputy, While drawing timber in a broken jud a fall of stone from the roof swamped the timber he had set for his safety, and caught him. Died two hours after being got out., Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Box, James, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 20, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; riding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, riding the south wagonway in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

      

Box, Thomas, 29 Jan 1891, 5:30 a.m., 9th hour of shift, aged 54, Deputy, fall of roof while drawing a broken jud

     

Brown, John, 08 Jan 1923, aged 46, Hewer, died from strain which set up strangulated hernia the same day

      

Brown, William, 23 Mar 1883, aged 23, Fitter, struck on head by crab arm, which ran amain while lowering a rope

     

Burdis, Anthony, 02 Mar 1846, aged 39, Pitman, explosion of gas [More information ...]

      

Cairns, Ralph John, 08 Dec 1879, aged 12, Trapper, either run over by a set of tubs or crushed between tubs and side, he left his door after set passed

     

Carr, George, 18 Apr 1857, Driver, he had been missed from his work, and on a search being made was found lying with his head jammed between his tub and the pit side

      

Chandler, Albert, 28 Mar 1901, aged 16, Putter, killed by head being crushed between tub and prop while bringing a full tub from face to landing

     

Cooper, Robert, 23 Aug 1851, aged 33, Blacksmith, he was placing an apparatus tub in position, when he fell off the planking on which he was standing at the East Minor Pit, and plunged 20 feet to the ground. The back of his head was severely injured, and he died on Saturday, 23 August

      

Cummings, J., 13 Sep 1946, aged 65, Shifter, strain

      

Cuthbertson, Arthur, 18 May 1914, aged 14, Pony Driver, Deceased was driving one full tub, sitting on the limbers, when a balk fell from the roof on to him, and crushed him between the tub and the baulk. The balk was propped at each end, and no reason could be assigned for it falling.

      

Dalkin, Joseph, 02 Oct 1866, aged 12, Eng. Bank Boy, crushed by tubs in engine plane

      

Davidson, Joseph, 06 Mar 1878, aged 30, Plumber, drowned in Main Coal Seam. Was sent with two men to wedge a pipe and tap in a borehole; orders were given not to touch the boring until the manager had arrived, which order was disobeyed, and the whole put through, when a rush of water mixed with stythe took place, and on being overcome he fell among the water and was drowned - his body was not recovered until the 25th June [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: inquest - 05 Jul 1878 pg 3 col 3]

      

Davison, John, 26 Oct 1861, aged 18, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Dixon, Joseph, 13 Jun 1898, (accident: 21 Jun 1897), aged 17, Way End Boy, died to-day from injuries received on June 21st, 1897, by being caught by an empty set; when it was entering the landing it got off the way

      

Dobson, -, 02 Sep 1885, aged 60, fell down shaft

      

Dodds, William, 26 Aug 1861, aged 20, Hewer, fell into apparatus hole from pit heap

      

Duffy, Thomas, 28 Oct 1891, 3:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 34, Hewer, fall of large stone from roof

      

Dunn, J., 30 Jan 1935, aged 24, Datal, crushed by tub

      

Elliott, William, 11 Nov 1908, aged 68, Furnaceman, when tipping a tub of coals at the furnace, he strangulated an old rupture [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 17 Nov 1908]

      

Emmerson, Thomas, 13 Mar 1866, aged 38, Onsetter, struck by a bolt and fell down shaft

      

Evans, John, 27 Dec 1924, aged 59, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

     

Feescroft, John, 29 Dec 1915, (accident: 08 Dec 1915), aged 53, died at Sunderland Royal Infirmary from injuries received from a fall of stone

      

Felton, M., 29 May 1860, Pony Putter, head crushed against roof

      

Fenwick, T. W., 01 Dec 1928, (accident: 20 Jul 1927), aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Ferguson, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...]

      

Flinn, Thomas, 03 Jul 1922, aged 28, Wagon Rider, run over by wagons

      

Gallighan, M., 26 May 1858, aged 15, Switchkeeper, fell before surface waggons while uncoupling

     

Gardner, Sutheran, 22 Apr 1908, aged 21, Packer, A shot had been fired in a top caunch, and his marrow was taking down the loose stone remaining whilst he held a light. Suddenly a piece of stone fell away from a slip at the side of the road knocking him down and causing his death [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 23 Apr 1908], Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

     

Gibbons, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 63, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...]

      

Gray, Francis, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 29, Deputy, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

     

Green, William, 20 Apr 1857, Driver, he was driving his horse and two empty coal waggons near Hetton Colliery pit heap. He left it to get a drink from a reservoir nearby and then ran after his horse, but in attempting to pass under the trace he fell and both waggons ran over him, killing him instantly

     

Greenhow, Albert Edward, 29 Sep 1915, aged 16, Landing Lad, crushed to death when the set ran amain

      

Greives, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 20, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

     

Grey, William, 20 Oct 1846, aged 16, Driver, He was driving his horse and several laden waggons when the jolting of the waggons caused them to be thrown off the way and on to him. The back overman found him dead with a tub lying on his side

      

Hall, F. W. H., 06 Apr 1933, aged 17, Driver

      

Hall, John, 05 Jul 1923, (accident: 26 Jun 1923), aged 59, Wasteman, died from injuries received

      

Hall, Joseph, 17 Oct 1889, aged 14, Tub Coupler, crushed between tub and side of kip wall at shaft siding, he got to the wrong side

      

Hall, Robert, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 17, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; riding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, riding the south wagonway in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

      

Halliday, John, 20 Dec 1839, aged 14

      

Hardy, R., 27 Oct 1928, (accident: 04 Jan 1927), aged 33, Wagon Rider, runover

      

Harrison, William, 19 Jan 1885, aged 28, Waggon Rider, fell off waggons wand was run over near to the coal depots

      

Hawke, Robert Stephenson, 21 Sep 1888, aged 18, Wasteman, fall of side stone while working in an air way

     

Helmsley, James, 06 Feb 1847, aged 14, Driver, Rolley driver James Helmsley, 14, was working with the station keeper in East Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery on 6 February, removing stone and rubbish which had fallen from the roof, when a second fall covered him up completely. It took 20 minutes to get him out, by which time he was dead.

      

Henshall, R. M., 13 Feb 1928, (accident: 07 Dec 1927), aged 17, Putter, died from injuries received

      

Hepple, R., 24 Nov 1929, (accident: 13 Nov 1929), aged 50, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

     

Herron, Ralph, 30 Jun 1936, died at his work from heart failure following acute haemorrhage pancreatitis - a rare complication of influenza which only attacked one person in a million

      

Heslop, L. J., 26 Apr 1937, (accident: 27 Jul 1936), aged 55, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

     

Hodgson, John, 13 May 1918, aged 64, Labourer, collapsed with a strain

     

Hodgson, John William, 21 Jul 1930, aged 33, Driller, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

     

Holmes, Henry John, 08 Nov 1925, (accident: 06 Nov 1925), aged 59, Labourer, being crushed between the buffers of two vans, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Holmes, R., 25 Feb 1933, (accident: 26 Jan 1933), aged 35, Hewer, crushed by tubs, died from injuries received

      

Holmes, Samuel, 06 Jul 1888, aged 16, Waggon Greaser, he was attempting to get on to a set of waggons while they were running on a private branch railway (a thing he had no right to do) and missing his hold he fell before them and was run over

      

Hopper, Samuel T., 17 Aug 1891, (accident: 03 Aug 1891, 2:30 p.m., 9th hour of shift), aged 14, Waggon Greaser, run over by waggons on private branch railway near Copt Hill, a few miles from the colliery; his leg was taken off and he died on the 17th inst.

      

Howard, Edmund, 18 Aug 1892, (accident: 17 Aug 1892, 8:15 a.m., 3rd hour of shift), aged 16, Token Boy, blow on his thigh by a rope flying off a sheave; died from shock to system on following day

      

Hunter, William, 02 Dec 1859, aged 45, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Hunter, William E., 11 May 1909, aged 21, Coal teamer, When riding on the cradle of the drop with a full truck, one of the ropes supporting the jib broke, and he was thrown on to a girder in the ship below. The contents of the truck fell on him, but the truck fell clear. He died when being conveyed to the hospital [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 14 May 1909]

      

Jarvis, F., 03 Jun 1929, (accident: 03 May 1929), aged 19, Putter, lifting tub

     

Jefferson, William, 15 Nov 1845, aged 60, Was on the Hetton Railway on Saturday afternoon gathering coals, when he was knocked down and run over by a train of waggons travelling up the incline. The top of his head was entirely crushed off and his left arm broken. The accident occurred on 15 November

      

Jobling, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 40, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Jones, Edward, 25 Oct 1876, (accident: 27 Sep 1876), aged 14, Driver, thigh, leg and arm broken - caught by a set on the engine plane

      

Kelsey, Thomas, Aug 1833, fell down pit [Sunderland Herald reports: accident - 10 Aug 1833 pg 4 col 4]

     

Kennedy, Matthew, 12 Jul 1918, aged 35, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone while drawing timber

     

Kennedy, W., 22 Oct 1917, Shifter, dropped down dead at work

      

Larmer, David, 04 Oct 1900, (accident: 03 Oct 1895), aged 68, Wasteman, Died to-day from effects of cancer. He was injured by a fall of stone in the pit on October 3rd, 1895, and at inquest the jury returned a verdict that his death was accelerated by the accident.

      

Laverick, Matthew, 30 Nov 1867, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Lawson, Thomas, 10 Dec 1853, killed after riding in empty tubs which crashed [Sunderland News reports: accident - 10 Dec 1853 pg 5 col 1]

      

Leigh, R. W., 25 Jun 1928, (accident: 07 Oct 1927), aged 41, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

      

Leonard, Edward James, 10 Jan 1926, (accident: 31 Aug 1925), aged 22, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

      

Lowdon, John, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

      

Marley, William, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 58, Furnaceman, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

      

Matthews, Daniel, 23 Mar 1871, aged 74, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone

      

Mitchinson, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 61, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

     

Mouter, Thomas, 16 Jun 1884, aged 47, Deputy, fall of a large quantity of stone in a broken jud which came off at a slip over the coal head and quite unseen, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...]

      

Murphey, Thomas, 16 Apr 1881, Trapper, killed by set of tubs on engine plane, he had evidently left his place

      

Nailor, Richard, 13 Feb 1926, (accident: 03 Feb 1926), aged 27, Screens, his overcoat was caught in the shafting, causing him to be pulled into the machinery

      

Napper, B., 18 Feb 1928, aged 36, Shifter, crushed

      

Nattrass, William, 10 Oct 1928, (accident: 16 Apr 1928), aged 64, Deputy, fall

      

Nicholson, R. T., 22 Sep 1887, aged 16, Landing Boy, crushed between tubs by pony, limbers becoming fast in engine rope and dragging it along

      

Parker, William, 16 Jun 1884, aged 21, Hewer, fall of a large quantity of stone in a broken jud which came off at a slip over the coal head and quite unseen [More information ...]

      

Parton, John, 15 Aug 1888, aged 48, Labourer, was found dead in the coke yard under a truck; it is not clear if this was the cause of death, as he had for some time suffered from heart disease, and had only resumed work that morning after an absence of some days

      

Patterson, W. B., 21 Jun 1930, aged 41, Overman, killed by a fall of stone

      

Pears, George, 25 Oct 1861, aged 16, Trimmer, crushed by surface waggons

      

Platts, John, 18 Jul 1864, aged 36, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

      

Pringle, J., 21 Oct 1939, (accident: 01 Jul 1938), aged 44, Stoneman, silicosis

      

Pringle, Thomas, 04 Dec 1900, (accident: 01 Dec 1900), aged 16, Way-end lad, Found lying unconscious with his bead very badly injured near a winch on engine plane. The probability is that after winching rope he had omitted to take chain off and winch handle hit him on head. Died on 4th inst. [More information ...]

      

Purvis, William, 27 Jan 1890, aged 68, Engineman, died from apoplexy while at his work in engine room [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

     

Ram, John, 21 Dec 1853, (accident: 28 Nov 1853), aged 24, he and some other men were throwing off the drum of an engine, when the work was complete, he æincautiously stepped on one of the rods of the engine and caused it to move,Æ his right thigh and arm were severely crushed, and he died from his injuries on the night of Wednesday, 21 December

      

Reed, R., 19 Sep 1932, aged 58, Stoneman

      

Richardson, William, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 60, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; ridding the south waggonway in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...]

      

Riddle, Thomas, 11 Sep 1897, aged 57, Token Man, Took a fit while at work. He was taken to his home where he died about 3½ hours afterwards

     

Robinson, William, 19 Dec 1916, aged 17, Engine Plane Lad, he was riding on the set going outbye and a short time later was found lying dead after being run over; he had previously been fined for riding on the tubs

      

Robson, G. H., 25 Apr 1928, aged 47, Cartman, fell off cart

     

Robson, John, 12 Feb 1850, aged 11, was crushed to death between the shafts of a rolley and a tub which ran amain in West Minor Pit, Hetton Colliery

      

Robson, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 36, Hewer, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, working up the new incline in the West minor pit [More information ...]

     

Rogerson, John, 15 Jan 1856, (accident: 22 Dec 1855), aged 36, on 22 December 1855 he had fractured the middle finger of his right hand while working in the East Minor Pit of Hetton Colliery. It was set and he seemed to be progressing favourably, æbut not feeling satisfied, he went to Little Town in the early part of the present month, to consult a bone-setter, and on his way thither got wet, caught cold, tetanus supervened, and he died on the 15th inst.Æ

      

Ross, Ralph, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; found near the furnace in the West Minor pit, found near the furnace in the West Minor pit [More information ...]

     

Rudd, James, 23 Oct 1905, aged 59, Hewer, he was run over by a full set when walking in-bye; he had recently come down the pit and probably had not got his "eyesight.", Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Rudd, James, 10 Nov 1924, (accident: 29 Oct 1924), aged 19, Putter, lifting tub

     

Rudd, James Thornton, 30 Jun 1899, aged 19, Putter, While going in-bye with an empty tub his head was caught between the top of the tub and the roof, and he was killed [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 01 Jul 1899 pg 3], Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Sandilands, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 32, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Scott, George, 23 Mar 1864, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Scott, Joseph, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 50, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Scott, Thomas, 09 Dec 1925, aged 15, Driver, run over by a tub

      

Short, Joseph, 28 Aug 1875, aged 33, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Smith, John, 18 Sep 1865, aged 42, Hewer, fall of stone in a narrow place

     

Smith, William, 04 Aug 1939, aged 39, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

      

Soulsby, Jacob, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Timber Leader, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Soulsby, William, 30 Aug 1861, aged 48, Branch Driver, crushed by surface waggons on branches

      

Stephens, J. R., 15 Jun 1930, (accident: 06 Jun 1930), aged 17, Shaft Boy, sprain

      

Stephenson, Nicholas, 05 Jan 1877, aged 38, Collier, fall of roof while working in his wall

     

Strachan, Robert, 27 Jul 1929, (accident: 1901), Deputy, twenty eight years ago his spine was injured by a fall of stone and he was never able to resume regular employment

      

Summerbell, John, 19 Oct 1936, aged 15, Screen Boy, caught by cage, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery [More information ...]

     

Talbot, Henry, 24 Jun 1901, aged 22, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone from roof of working place, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery

     

Taylor, James, 05 Jun 1854, aged 13, he was driving a pony along the Engine-bank in the pit, when he was crushed to death by a mass of coal falling from the side

      

Taylor, Thomas, 05 Feb 1897, aged 50, Hewer, While trespassing on the private branch railway he was run over, and so severely injured that he died within 1½ hours [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 08 Feb 1897 pg 3]

     

Taylor, William, 03 Apr 1852, aged 56, A large stone fell from the roof and fractured his right leg, infection set in and he died on Saturday, 3 April

      

Thomas, A., 25 Feb 1885, aged 55, Wasteman, injury by a fall of stone

      

Thompson, Daniel, 21 Nov 1877, aged 20, Collier, fall of stone while driving alongside an old fall bord

      

Thompson, J. T., 25 Nov 1863, aged 12, Horse Driver, crushed by tubs

     

Thompson, Thomas, 03 Apr 1845, aged 66, An inquest was held on 3 April into the death of Thomas Thompson, 66, at the Minor Pit, Hetton-le-Hole. A man who was at work a few yards distant from him went to borrow his stool, and found deceased lying upon the floor of the pit and nearly covered up with stones [date of inquest]

      

Thompson, Thomas, 12 Dec 1861, aged 17, Putter, crushed by tubs

     

Turnbull, Richard, 04 Dec 1851, (accident: 19 Nov 1851), aged 12, Rolley Driver, he was severely injured in Minor East Pit, Hetton Colliery on 19 November. He had been driving a horse with tubs attached when it began kicking. He tried to get out of the tub he was riding in to control the horse, but fell and was run over by several tubs. His left arm and thigh were broken; he died on 4 December

      

Unwin, William, 03 Dec 1923, aged 21, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

      

Walker, Joseph, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 32, Deputy, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Wall, William, 09 May 1905, (accident: 17 Nov 1903), aged 47, Stoneman, injured on 17th November, 1903, when pulling out a prop round which the floor had risen, it broke and he fell back upon a baulk injuring his spine, he died on 9th May, 1905

      

Walton, George, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 16, Putter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, working up the new incline in the West minor pit [More information ...]

     

Watson, George, 02 Mar 1846, aged 40, Deputy Overman, explosion of gas [More information ...]

      

Watson, Richard, 30 Dec 1863, aged 75, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone

      

Watson, William, 14 Jan 1879, aged 22, Putter, got his head crushed between tub and timber while coming out-bye [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: inquest - 18 Jan 1879 pg 3 col 5]

      

Watts, John, 05 Feb 1896, aged 46, Deputy, while drawing timber a large stone broke down a plank without warning, fell on to and killed him [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 06 Feb 1896 pg 3; inquest - 10 Feb 1896 pg 3]

      

Wharton, William, 18 Jan 1901, aged 30, Hewer, When turning a place away, where a hitch leader was running across it, a fall of roof took place and killed him

     

Wilkinson, George William, 09 May 1905, aged 21, Bankhead Attendant, a set of waggons, when knocked off on reaching bank head on private railway, overran the chain which caught him and threw him under the waggons, causing serious injury to both legs, he died soon after reaching Sunderland Infirmary, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery [More information ...]

     

Wilkinson, John, 14 Feb 1923, Clerk, He was electrocuted while working a printing machine in the colliery office. He had told his father about receiving shocks from the machine on a number of occasions. For some reason, he appeared to have touched the cable at the back of the printer.

      

Wilkinson, T., 18 Mar 1946, (accident: 14 Mar 1946), aged 41, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

      

Willans, Joseph, 01 Sep 1863, aged 31, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

      

Williams, Jonathan, 13 Apr 1891, 1:30 p.m., 8th hour of shift, aged 20, Putter, fall of a large stone in broken workings

     

Willis, John Thomas, 24 Aug 1921, aged 50, Platelayer, crushed head, Buried: Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland

      

Wilson, R., 29 Jun 1933, aged 20, Putter, crushed by tubs

     

Wilson, Robert, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 54, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; repairing timber at the station in the South East Drift in the West Minor pit, father in law of Henry Wonders, repairing timber at the station in the South-East Drift in the West Minor pit, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...]

      

Wilson, Thomas, 19 Mar 1904, (accident: 18 Mar 1904), aged 62, Shifter, Took ill in pit owing to the rupture of a blood vessel in brain while at work, and died following day. Post-mortem showed there had been no injury

     

Wiseman, Amos, 16 Apr 1857, Hewer, he was hewing coal when a stone weighing 1¼ tons fell on him from the roof and crushed him to death

      

Wiseman, J. A., 17 Jan 1935, (accident: 11 Jul 1927), aged 35, died from injuries received

     

Wonders, Henry, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 34, Hewer, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; working up the new incline in the West Minor pit, son in law of Robert Wilson, working up the new incline in the West minor pit, Buried: St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Hetton-le-Hole [More information ...]

      

Wright, John, 05 Aug 1897, (accident: 04 Aug 1897), aged 47, Stoneman, Severely injured internally by a fall of stone. Died the following day

      

Wright, Thomas, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 43, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine [More information ...]

      

Young, Anthony, 20 Dec 1860, 8:00 p.m., aged 52, Shifter, explosion of gases, supposed to have been generated from the coals on an engine plane or boiler fire, and not from gases generated in the workings of the mine; making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit, making refuge stalls in the inclined plane in the West Minor pit Ridding South wagon way in West minor pit [More information ...]

      

Young, Robert, 12 Apr 1923, aged 36, Hewer, crushed

      

Young, Thomas, Sep 1834, killed by a fall of stone [Sunderland Herald reports: accident - 27 Sep 1834 pg 2 col 4]

     

Young, William, 03 Jul 1854, aged 11, he was crushed to death between a tub and a prop

 
  160 names found

If you know of any fatalities missing from the above list then please contact us with the details and we will add them to our database.

Those names marked with , have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the web page.

For those names marked we have a digital photograph of the tombstone, see the information page for further details.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been kindly provided by Jim Grainger from his research into early newspapers (primarily the Durham Advertiser and Durham Chronicle) and are marked with .

  more information on some of the fatalities shown above


The following unnamed fatalities are listed in the Mines Inspectors Reports, once again this collection is not complete!

Date Inspectors Remarks
19 Jan 1851 11On railway
27 Nov 1851 11Kick of a horse
24 Apr 1852 44- - This was occasioned by the blowing up of a boiler which underwent a minute scrutiny ; but the verdict was accidental ; examined
03 Dec 1853 11killed with apparatus
29 Dec 1853 22repairing the shaft
25 Feb 1854 11riding upon tubs
14 Feb 1856 11crushed by tubs in engine plane
13 Aug 1856 11crushed by tubs

  Summary Description Disasters Names Credits  

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

  a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Hetton Colliery

  list of collieries/pits etc. near to Hetton Colliery


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries  

Credits

Sources:

  • 1854 List of mines by T. Y. Hall, published in Vol II (1853-4) of the Transactions of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers
  • 1858 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1859 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1860 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1861 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1863 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1864 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1865 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1866 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1867 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1869 List of Mines
  • 1871 Mines Inspectors Report (C 456)
  • 1873-4 List of Mines
  • 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C 1499)
  • 1876 Mines Inspectors Report (C 1734)
  • 1877 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2003)
  • 1878 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2321)
  • 1879 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2604)
  • 1880 List of Mines
  • 1881 Mines Inspectors Annual Report
  • 1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241)
  • 1883 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4078)
  • 1884 List of Mines
  • 1884 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4429)
  • 1885 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4760)
  • 1887 Mines Inspectors Report (C 5450)
  • 1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1888 Mines Inspectors Report (C 5779), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1889 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6015)
  • 1890 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1890 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6346), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1891 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6625), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1892 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6986), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1896 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, also available online at Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd
  • 1896 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8450), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1897 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8819), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1899 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 134), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1900 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 536), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1901 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1062), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1902 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1904 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2506)
  • 1905 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2910)
  • 1908 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4672)
  • 1909 List of Mines - from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
  • 1909 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5177)
  • 1914 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1914 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 8023)
  • 1919 List of Mines - from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
  • 1921 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1930 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1936 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1940 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory published by Louis Cassier Co. Ltd.
  • 1945 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1950 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • An Account of the strata of Northumberland & Durham as proved by Borings & Sinkings, Volume F-K, published by the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, 1885
  • Banners of the Durham Coalfield, Norman Emery, 1998, Sutton Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-7509-1708-3
  • Contributions by members of the Public
  • History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan. Second edition published in 1894.
  • Pigot & Co.'s Commercial Directory of Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire. Published in 1834
  • Sunderland & Durham County Herald
  • Sunderland Daily News
  • Sunderland Herald
  • The Times Newspaper
  • Tombstone(s) in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland
  • Tombstone(s) in Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery
  • Victoria History of the Counties of England – Durham. Published in three volumes in 1907.

Pictures:

  • Views of the Collieries in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham by T. H. Hair. First published in 1844.

  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Related Links:

On this site
 Newspaper articles
 Awards for Bravery
 Names of those killed in the 1860 disaster
 Evidence given to the 1842 Children's Employment Commission
 Pictures in the Gallery section for Hetton Colliery
 Article in the Transactions of the Mining Engineers

Further Reading:

  • Explosions in Coal Mines by W. N. & J. B. Atkinson, published in 1886
  • Banners of the Durham Coalfield, Norman Emery, 1998, Sutton Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-7509-1708-3, provides a brief history of the colliery along with the history of the associated Miners Lodge Banner

Further Research:

  Research Notes for Hetton Colliery

Mail:
Webmaster

Back

Home
Crown copyright material is reproduced under Class Licence Number C01W0000177
with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.

Copyright © 1999-2008 by The Durham Mining Museum and its contributors
Reg