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  Loftus (Ironstone)  Index  Loftus (Ironstone)  

Loftus (Ironstone)

also known as Lofthouse (Ironstone) , Skinningrove Mine (Ironstone)


  Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Location: Loftus, Saltburn
15 miles [24 km] E of Middlesbrough
Map Ref: (Sheet 94, OL26, OL27) NZ712193
Opened: 1848
Closed: 1958
Owners: 1880's - J. W. Pease & Partners
1910's - Pease & Partners Ltd.
1950's - Skinningrove Iron Co. Ltd.
Output: 1873 - Ironstone.
1882 - Ironstone.
1884 - Ironstone.
1888 - Ironstone.
1890 - Ironstone.
1896 - Ironstone.
1902 - Ironstone.
1914 - Ironstone.
1921 - Ironstone.
1930 - Ironstone.
1934 - Ironstone.
1940 - Iron Ore.
1950 - Ironstone.
Employment:
Year Pit  Total Below Above
1896781676105
190276569669
1914882727155
1921736604132
193070660799
193464955891
1940520419101
195036327390
  Colliery Management (prior to 1955)
Seams Worked: 1950 - Cleveland Main
Notes:   Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Loftus (Ironstone)


  Summary Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Description

This small parish, formerly written Lofthouse, is situated on the coast between Brotton and Easington. Its total area, exclusive of the strand, is 3,737 acres; rateable value, £12,971; and population, 4,318. The land near the coast terminates in a bold ridge of cliffs, presenting a steep escarpment towards the sea, but falling away with a gentle decline towards the village. The rocks are of an aluminous character, and extensive works were formerly carried on for the manufacture of the alum. Ironstone is abundant and is extensively worked by Messrs. Pease & Partners. The mines which adjoin Skinningrove were commenced by Losh, Wilson, Bell, & Co., about the year 1859, and in 1865 they were transferred to the present proprietors. The ironstone is won by handmining. The largest output was in 1881, when it reached 654,000 tons. About 750 hands are usually employed.

Bulmer's History and Directory of North Yorkshire (1890)


  Summary Description Names Local Collieries Credits  

Disasters (5 or more killed)

None Found


  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, Amos, 22 Sep 1896, aged 47, Bankhead Foreman, Jumped on to a set between the buffers, after signalling for it to start and fell off, two tubs passed over and killed him [More information ...]

      

Bidgood, Charles F., 03 Jan 1898, aged 15, Assistant to Pipe Fitter, He was assisting to put a pipe on in a working place, when a piece of ironstone burst off the side and killed him.

      

Brown, William Lumsden, 22 Feb 1901, aged 41, Deputy, preparing to put a baulk up when a piece of shale fell from roof and crushed him to death

      

Burdett, George, 28 Nov 1913, aged 54, Miner, deceased, along with his son, was at work in a lift in a seam 8 feet thick; he fired a top shot which got down very little stone, but he thought he could bar down a large stone; he tried to get it down for some time but gave up; the son was busy drilling another shot hole to the left, the father standing idly by, when the stone fell away and killed the latter, who very foolishly had stood right below it

      

Burt, Edward, 31 Dec 1897, aged 27, Horse Driver, While going in-bye with an empty set, he met a full one coming out on the same road ; the two sets collided, and he was fatally crushed

      

Clarke, John, 18 Feb 1880, aged 18, Driver, in coming outbye he lost his light and fell off the set of tubs which ran over him

      

Collins, William, 25 Jan 1883, aged 25, Miner, killed by premature explosion of shot, supposed to have lighted squib instead of the slow match [More information ...]

      

Cook, Sampson, 31 Aug 1877, aged 19, Shiftman, while sitting on the end of a set of tubs another set got off the way, joining the standing ones and crushing deceased between them, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 04 Sep 1877 {NBI}

      

Cooper, William, 21 Dec 1915

      

Cornall, George, 29 Oct 1893, (accident: 24 Oct 1893, 6:00 p.m., 5th hour of shift), aged 47, Deputy, Severely cut on face and head by a shot blowing through from another place. Died on the 29th. [More information ...]

      

Crawford, George, 24 Oct 1898, aged 42, Miner, some small shale fell from the roof at the face of his working place and covered him up, and before he could be got out he was suffocated, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 27 Oct 1898 {NBI} [More information ...]

      

Cudd, Richard, 30 Jul 1895, 11:00 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 41, Deputy, while putting in a baulk, a fall of roof took place from a slip; deceased had been warned that the stone was unsound, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 02 Aug 1895 {NBI}

      

Dale, George Henry, 11 Feb 1951, (accident: 02 Feb 1951), aged 45, Deputy, crushed by a roof fall, died from his injuries, address: 10 East Street, Loftus

      

Davey, Charles H., 26 Jul 1909, aged 15, Horse-leader, This boy was working his first shift as a horse-leader. He was leading the horse down a slight incline whilst the driver put sprags into the tub wheels. He lost his light but continued to hold on to the horse. When the driver arrived at the stopping place, he found the boy underneath the first tub. It is difficult to say how the boy came to be under the tub as the road was in good condition and there were no obstacles in the way. Being new to underground work, and having lost his light, he would probably be alarmed and may have stumbled and fallen. The employment of boys as horse-leaders is undesirable

      

Diamond, William, 08 May 1899, aged 41, Miner, After firing a shot he was barring stone down, when a fall of ironstone and roof took place and killed him.

      

Durham, Henry, 06 May 1885, aged 34, Miner, fall of ironstone and shale from face of place

      

Elland, Ralph, 06 Jun 1877, aged 27, Miner, fall of ironstone while cutting out a leg - it came away without warning

      

Garrett, James, 30 Apr 1873, aged 22, Driver, crushed by tubs, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 03 May 1873 {NBI}

      

Gettings, James, 01 Sep 1906, aged 30, Deputy, They were killed by the bearing girders of a crossing being let down by the stone on which they were placed giving way. The bearing girders falling allowed part of the crossing and the dirt above to fall on to them. [More information ...]

      

Gibson, John, 21 Dec 1915

      

Gilbert, John, 14 Sep 1903, (accident: 17 Jun 1898), aged 38, Shifter, died from injuries by fall of stone when following his employment, on June 17th, 1898

      

Griggs, Leonard, 17 Apr 1875, aged 14, Trapper, crushed by tubs, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 20 Apr 1875 {NBI}

      

Hardy, George, 28 Jan 1897, aged 36, Miner, He had fired a shot and returned to his place, when a large fall of roof took place and killed him

      

Hardy, George Thomas, 30 Mar 1906, (accident: 07 Sep 1905), aged 36, Deputy, When drawing a jud, a large frame of rock fell and caught him. He died on March 30th, 1906.

      

Henry, John Cooper, 17 Dec 1935, 8:30 a.m., died from shock after being rescued from a fall of stone [More information ...]

      

Hicks, James, 31 Oct 1900, aged 15, Horse Leader, He was driving his horse through between a tub and a prop and the trace stretcher caught and pulled the prop out, and a large piece of stone fell from roof and killed him. [More information ...]

      

Jackson, Thomas A., 20 May 1897, aged 28, Deputy, He and his mate were cutting holes to put a baulk of timber in to support the roof, when a piece of top stone fell and injured him fatally

      

Lightfoot, Thomas, 10 Jun 1938, aged 65, crushed by a roof fall, rushed to Middlesbrough General Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, address: 20 High Row, Loftus

      

Little, William, 04 Aug 1911, (accident: 25 Jul 1911), aged 51, Miner, having finished a lift off a pillar, deceased and his mate were about to commence to bring back a thin rib of stone, when the roof, which was well secured by timber, collapsed; this was due to the intersection of two backs; he died in Skinningrove Hospital of Pneumonia on August 4th; he was not seriously injured

      

Markham, Charles Edward, 27 Nov 1915

      

May, George, 02 Aug 1897, aged 49, Cartman, While loading a cart with bricks, the horse took fright at a passing engine and bolted, and he, in trying to stop it, got run over by the cart and was killed

      

Metcalfe, Arthur G., 24 Oct 1895, 10:40 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 19, Drover, head crushed between two full tubs while coupling them when in motion, contrary to orders, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 27 Oct 1895 {NBI}

      

Metcalfe, George, 02 Jun 1902, aged 51, Inclineman, died from heart failure while getting a meal in the pit

      

Minican, James, 16 Sep 1897, aged 17, Horse Leader, He was spragging a tub down a going bord, when he slipped and fell in front of the tub, and was run over. He was taken to the infirmary, but died shortly after being admitted

      

Minnikin, Robert, 09 Jul 1900, aged 67, Labourer, Died from heart failure when coming out of pit at end of shift.

      

Mist, Henry, 09 Oct 1879, aged 50, Miner, fall of ironstone from the face of working place

      

Mogridge, Frederick, 23 Jun 1902, aged 17, Horse Driver, left his work and went out at a holing in the sea cliff, and while clambering up the cliff he slipped and fell a distance of 200 feet to beach below and was killed

      

Murrell, Henry, 17 Dec 1935, 8:30 a.m., died from shock after being rescued from a fall of stone [More information ...]

      

Newton, John Sabel, 25 Sep 1914, aged 37, Assistant Deputy, A balk, next the face of a stenton, had been shot out. A deputy went to replace it with the help of deceased. Some roof stone had come down with the balk. The deputy started to cut out a hole at one side to receive the balk, and set on deceased to do the same at the other side. They were just completing the work when a large stone fell from the roof, carrying out the next balk outbye. It caught deceased, and crushed his skull. The deputy ought to have set a temporary middle prop.

      

Parkin, Thomas David, 02 Mar 1903, aged 31, Shifter, he and another man were timbering an old bord, when a large fall of roof occurred and killed him [More information ...]

      

Partlett, George, 31 Jul 1886, aged 32, Miner, fall of shale and dogger after a shot; he neglected to dress off the sides and top of the place

      

Potter, Thomas, 19 Nov 1883, aged 27, Miner, explosion of powder while charging a shot; he was putting the powder in [More information ...]

      

Raw, James, 30 Jan 1906, (accident: 22 Jan 1906), aged 42, Shot Firer, When about to light up a shot, a piece of stone fell off the face and cut his head. He was bandaged up by the deputy, and finished his shift. Subsequently erysipelas set in and caused his death eight days after the accident.

      

Reed, James, 01 Sep 1906, aged 48, Overman, They were killed by the bearing girders of a crossing being let down by the stone on which they were placed giving way. The bearing girders falling allowed part of the crossing and the dirt above to fall on to them. [More information ...]

      

Rispin, Frank, 22 Jun 1904, aged 29, Deputy, he and his mate were arranging to put a baulk of timber in the face of a working place when a large cauldron shaped stone 4 ft. 6 ins, by 10 ft., with glossy slips all round it, fell from the roof and caught and killed him

      

Robinson, William, 13 May 1899, (accident: 11 May 1899), aged 18, Horse Shoer's Assistant, Face severely injured by a kick from a horse when examining its feet. Died on the 13th inst.

      

Ross, Thomas, 26 Sep 1895, 12:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 64, Engine Plane Man, engaged oiling a return wheel, he did not give notice, engine started, and he was dragged in by rope and killed [More information ...]

      

Scott, John Thomas, 21 Feb 1913, (accident: 16 Feb 1913), aged 49, Enginewright, deceased was supervising some repairs to a gantry when he walked on to a plank sawn at one end; the end broke off and he fell a distance of 18 feet; he died five days later

      

Sewell, Henry, 26 Dec 1884, (accident: 09 Dec 1884), aged 56, Labourer, broken leg by falling of timber bogey

      

Siddle, Jonathan, 22 Mar 1906, aged 16, Horse Leader, When leading a horse pulling three tubs down a going bord he stumbled and fell in front of the tubs, which ran on to him and killed him instantly.

      

Sivers, Robert, 08 Nov 1880, aged 43, Miner, died from natural causes while leaving his work in the mine

      

Slattery, James, 04 Dec 1912, aged 21, Horse Driver, he was bringing two full tubs from the face when by some means unknown he was crushed between the tubs and the prop; the prop was one of several which had been purposely set as extra supports on account of the road being on "creep," there was very little room between the tubs and the props, but plenty of room behind the props

      

Stephens, Isaac, 22 Dec 1905, aged 24, Filler, when putting up a crossing a heavy fall of dogger occurred thrusting out timbers and killing them instantly [More information ...]

      

Waite, George, 02 Jun 1906, aged 55, Waggonwayman, He was struck by an ingoing set, several tubs of which were off the way. By the wheel marks on the floor it was evident that the set was off the way before it reached him. Presumably he had been signalling for the set to be stopped, and had whilst so doing been struck by the tubs.

      

Walker, John, 13 Jul 1883, aged 33, Miner, killed by a shot being fired in a place when it blew through; not sufficient warning being given to deceased [More information ...]

      

Webster, James, 04 Jul 1911, (accident: 30 Jun 1911), aged 27, Miner, he was working along with another miner in a siding over 13 feet wide which had been driven out of a split and which was nearly holed; while in a stooping position a small piece of shale 2 or 3 lbs. in weight dropped from the roof and inflicted a scalp wound on the back of his head; he walked outbye, and also twice to the hospital, but on July 4th he became rapidly worse and finally had a fit; later on the same day he died of haemorrhage of the brain at the base of the skull, no doubt set up by the injury

      

Wilson, Matthew, 22 Dec 1905, aged 38, Back Overman, when putting up a crossing a heavy fall of dogger occurred thrusting out timbers and killing them instantly [More information ...]

      

Wilson, Robert, 15 Jan 1875, aged 35, Miner, killed by a fall of stone

      

Wilson, William, 26 Feb 1900, aged 19, Driver, Fatally injured by head being crushed between tub and side of place, owing to tub getting off way.

      

Winter, George, 14 Mar 1881, aged 47, Deputy, fall of stone while engaged drawing a broken jud with other deputies

      

Wiseman, William, 23 Jul 1895, (accident: 01 Jul 1895, 7:30 a.m., 2nd hour of shift), aged 53, Miner, injury to back by fall of stone after a shot, Buried: St. Margaret's Church, Brotton on 26 Jul 1895 {NBI}

 
  61 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.

  more information on some of the fatalities shown above


  Summary Description Disasters Names Credits  

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

  a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Loftus (Ironstone)

  list of collieries/pits etc. near to Loftus (Ironstone)


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries  

Credits

Sources:

  • 1873 Mines Inspectors Report (C 1056)
  • 1873-4 List of Mines
  • 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C 1499)
  • 1877 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2003)
  • 1879 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2604)
  • 1880 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2903)
  • 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)
  • 1886 Mines Inspectors Report (C 5090)
  • 1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1890 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1893 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7339), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1895 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8074), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines
  • 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
  • 1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590)
  • 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)
  • 1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1909 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5177)
  • 1911 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6237), Durham District (No. 3) by A. D. Nicholson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1912 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6983), Durham District (No. 3) by A. D. Nicholson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1913 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 1934 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1940 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory published by Louis Cassier Co. Ltd.
  • 1950 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • Bulmer's History and Directory of North Yorkshire, published in 1890
  • Contributions by members of the Public

  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Related Links:

On this site
 Newspaper articles
 Awards for Bravery
 Article on the discovery of Ironstone in Cleveland (published in 1857)
External sites
 Cleveland Ironstone Mines web site by Peter Tuffs
 Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum web site, known locally as the Tom Leonard Mining Museum

Further Reading:

  • The Cleveland Ironstone Industry and its Impact on Teesside by S. Keith Chapman, published by Peter Tuffs
  • The Ironstone Mines and Railways of Cleveland and Rosedale by T.E. Rounthwaite, published by Peter Tuffs
  • Cleveland Mining Incidents by Simon Chapman, published by Peter Tuffs
  • Catalogue of Cleveland Ironstone Mines by Peter Tuffs, Cleveland Ironstone Series, published by Peter Tuffs
  • Cleveland Ironstone by S. Keith Chapman, published by Peter Tuffs
  • Cleveland Ironstone Mines and Iron Industry by Richard Mead, published by Peter Tuffs

Further Research:

  Research Notes for Loftus (Ironstone)

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