Medomsley Colliery

Location:

Medomsley
11 miles [17 km] SW of Newcastle

Map Ref:

(Sheet 88) NZ114536, 54° 52' 37" N, 1° 49' 15" W

Maps:

1898 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide

1928 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide

1933 map from the Colliery Engineer magazine, shows the disposition of pits in the Conset iron Co. Ltd. group and the railway links between them

1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)

Opened:

1839

Closed:

06 Oct 1972

Pits:

Busty Pit

Isabella Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ116535, opened: 1898, sinking: 1898

Shaft details for Isabella Pit

Owners:

1839 - Edward Richardson & Co.

1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)

Output:

1873 - Coal.

1888 - Coal.

1896 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing. Fireclay.

1902 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing.

1914 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing.

1921 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing.

1930 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Steam.

1947 - Coal: Coking. (121,000 tons)

1950 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Steam.

1960 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Steam. Fireclay.

1970 - Coal: Coking.

1971 - Coal: Coking.

1972 - Coal: Coking.

Employment:

Year	Total	Below	Above
1854	Working
1896	427	335	92
1902	536	433	103
1914	691	601	90
1921	709	616	93
1930	825	722	103
1940	628	628
1945	563	479	84
1947	606	483	123
1950	654	522	132
1960	225	180	45
1970	169	158	11
1971	157	144	13
1972	155	143	12

NCB Employment Figures

Colliery Management (prior to 1955)

Seams Worked:

1914 - Brockwell, Three Quarter, Top and Bottom Busty

1921 - Brockwell, Main Coal, Three Quarter, Top and Bottom Busty

1930 - Brockwell, Main, Three Quarter, Towneley

1950 - Big Hutton, Brockwell, Busty, Little, Main, Three Quarter, Tilley, Towneley

1960 - Brockwell, Busty, Tilley, Towneley

1970 - Brockwell, Busty, Three Quarter

1971 - Brockwell, Three Quarter

1972 - Brockwell, Three Quarter

Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Medomsley Colliery

Notes:

1839 - Medomsley Colliery commenced working.

1898 - The Isabella shaft, Medomsley Colliery, was sunk from the surface to the Brockwell Seam for the Consett Iron Company, Ltd.

1900 - Hutton seam abandoned - coal exhausted

Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Medomsley Colliery

Description

The Medomsley or Busty pit is a little to the north west of the village, and is worked by a shaft sunk to the Three Quarter seam, but so far the Busty seam only has been worked. The section of this seam varies, giving an average for the upper and lower together of 5 feet 6 inches. About the middle of the seam there is a sagger band, which varies from 6 inches to 2 feet from the shaft southwards, whilst to the north it increases in thickness to such an extent as to cause the seam to worked, in separate sections. Underlying the Busty are the Three Quarter and the Brockwell. There are a good number of coke ovens, the waste heat from which drive the underground engines.

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham

Disasters (5 or more killed)

24th Feb 1923 Cage fell down shaft, 8 lives lost (Show Names)

Those entries marked with , signify a disaster for which a memorial has been erected or for which we have images concerning the disaster, alternately their name may be mentioned on a memorial plaque. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the appropriate web page for the memorial.

Names of those killed at this colliery

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

						Anderson, John, 17 Nov 1903, aged 25, Hewing Putter, killed by slipping when getting off a set of trucks on a surface railway, on which he was improperly riding after his work at the mine was finished
						Armstrong, A., 12 Oct 1877, aged 24, Collier, burnt on face and head by explosion of a shot - he had too short a fuse
						Barron, Ridley Surtees, 08 Oct 1912, aged 28, Hewer, he was kirving in a longwall gateway in a seam 2 feet 2 inches thick, when a large stone fell from between slips, and, canting out some props, killed him
						Bell, J., 22 Jul 1945, aged 64, Horse Keeper
						Brown, Richard, 29 Feb 1960, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone whilst working in the Brockwell Seam
						Brown, William, 07 Mar 1903, (accident: 21 Sep 1901), aged 72, Fan Engineman, died from the effects of an injury received while following his employment on September 21st, 1901
						Cant, Thomas, 24 Feb 1923, aged 49, Onsetter, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Chatt, Joseph, 22 May 1900, aged 52, Hewer, While setting some timber under a stone it fell away at a slippery parting and caught and killed him. Stone measured 5 ft. 6 ins, by 7 ft. 11 ins, by 8½ ins. thick.
						Collinson, T., 19 Apr 1937, aged 53, Shaftman, caught by cage
						Cooper, Thomas Anthony, 24 Feb 1923, aged 16, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Davison, Joseph, 15 Jun 1887, aged 42, Deputy, broken leg and other injuries by fall while drawing out a jud
						Davison, W., 07 Jun 1932, aged 59, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Dinning, Bob, 15 Apr 1886, aged 14
						Forster, Thomas, 20 Jul 1872, aged 30, Shifter, killed by a fall of coal
						Freeman, E., 10 Jul 1947, aged 20, Putter, killed by a fall of stone
						Graham, G. N. (Walton), 25 Nov 1927, (accident: 31 Oct 1927), aged 20, Putter, fall of stone, died from injuries received [More information ...]
						Graham, Joseph, 18 Nov 1898, (accident: 17 Nov 1898), aged 58, Shifter, while at work in the pit he was seized with an apoplectic fit and died the following morning
						Hall, Robert, 19 May 1881, aged 71, Screenman, crushed between one of the screen legs and truck while taking it out
						Hardy, Robert, 09 Aug 1878, (accident: 01 Dec 1877), aged 27, Collier, died from injuries received by fall of top coal
						Henderson, Isaac, 18 Nov 1880, aged 13, Screen Boy, run over by waggons while setting them from under screens
						Henderson, Joseph, 12 Mar 1935, aged 55, Blacksmith, collapsed and died at the pit
						Hodgson, John, 20 Dec 1923, (accident: 16 Dec 1923), aged 60, Shifter, crushed
						Hodgson, John William, 13 Aug 1925, (accident: 05 Aug 1925), aged 47, Hewer, burned by a shot
						Hornsby, James, 24 Feb 1923, aged 31, Onsetter, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Jackson, Emmerson, 07 Nov 1882, aged 36, Deputy, fall of roof while drawing a jud in Busty Seam
						McGraham, Peter, 12 Jul 1923, (accident: 10 Jul 1923), aged 15, Driver, crushed
						Newby, John Wilson, 25 Mar 1904, aged 26, Hewer, while hewing, he dislodged a slip and hitch leader running at right angles to each other, at which a stone measuring 12 ft. long by 4 ft. by 2 ft. fell and knocked out all the timber and killed him [More information ...]
						O'Hanlon, Francis, 24 Feb 1923, aged 18, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						O'Neill, Denis, 24 Feb 1923, aged 17, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Pogue, Clarence, 24 Feb 1923, aged 17, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Redshaw, Paul, 26 Jan 1901, aged 56, Shifter, when travelling out-bye at the end of his shift he fell into the arms of another shifter and died from heart disease
						Rule, Isaac, 30 Dec 1880, aged 16, Putter, crushed between two tubs, the load being heavy his tub overpowered him and ran him back against another
						Saunders, Thomas T. B., 10 Oct 1915, (accident: 28 Sep 1915), aged 40, Stoneman, struck his head [More information ...]
						Scarr, George, 22 Feb 1923, aged 32, Filler, killed by a fall of stone
						Searr, James, 15 Nov 1905, aged 25, Pony Putter, run over by trucks on private railway, riding on which is strictly prohibited
						Smith, James, 24 Feb 1923, aged 17, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						Stoddart, Robert, 06 Jul 1893, (accident: 25 Aug 1891), aged 24, Hewer, died today from injuries received by a fall of stone on August 25th, 1891
						Thompson, John James, 07 Feb 1921, (accident: 12 Aug 1920), aged 56, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone
						Thompson, Thomas, 02 Jan 1897, aged 44, Hewer, He was holing a lift when a fall of roof took place and breaking over the timber killed him
						Thorburn, Thomas William, 24 Feb 1923, aged 16, Shaft Lad, killed in the 1923 disaster (cage fell down shaft), cage fell in shaft [More information ...]
						White, Cecil, 27 Apr 1944, aged 18, Putter, killed by a fall of stone
						Young, George, 11 Sep 1952, Shifter, killed by a fall of roof

						42 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.

For those names marked the text of the Mines Inspectors report into the incident is available online. Click on the icon to display the report.

Those names marked with , were killed in a disaster for which a memorial has been erected or for which we have images concerning the disaster, alternately their name may be mentioned on a memorial plaque. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the appropriate web page for the memorial.

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.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this page have been kindly provided by Ian Winstanley of the Coal Mining History Resource Centre and are marked with , further details may be obtained by contacting Ian by email at ian.winstanley@blueyonder.co.uk

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
04 Oct 1855	1	–	–	–	–	1	sinking pit
14 Feb 1857	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of coal
22 Jan 1859	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of coal (top)
19 Jan 1860	3	–	–	–	–	3	breaking of rope, More information ...
01 May 1860	1	–	–	–	–	1	fell down shaft
10 Dec 1860	1	–	–	–	–	1	fell down shaft
26 Sep 1862	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of coal
10 Jun 1864	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of stone
29 Apr 1865	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of stone
20 Nov 1865	–	–	–	1	–	1	fall of coal

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Medomsley Colliery

list of collieries/pits etc. near to Medomsley Colliery

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
1869 List of Mines
1872 Mines Inspectors Report (C 840)
1873-4 List of Mines
1877 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2003)
1878 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2321)
1880 List of Mines
1880 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2903)
1881 Mines Inspectors Annual Report
1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241)
1882 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3621)
1884 List of Mines
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
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
1896 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, also available online at Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd
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
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)
1909 List of Mines - from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
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
1914 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
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
1927 Mines Inspectors Report
1930 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.
1945 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
1947 The Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., 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
1960 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1970 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1971 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1972 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
Mines Inspectors Report into the 1923 Accident (Cmd. 1965)
An Account of the strata of Northumberland & Durham as proved by Borings & Sinkings, Supplement, published by the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, 1910
An Account of the strata of Northumberland & Durham as proved by Borings & Sinkings, Volume L-R, published by the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, 1887
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.
Victoria History of the Counties of England – Durham. Published in three volumes in 1907.

Pictures:

Picture from the Derwentdale Local History Society web site - used with permission.

Further Research:

Research Notes for Medomsley Colliery



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