Springwell Colliery

1821, May 08 - Commenced to sink the A and B Pits, Springwell Colliery, 8 May; reached the Hutton Seam and finished sinking operations, 24 February, 1824.

1902 - Springwell Colliery was sunk from the Hutton to the Beaumont Seam.

1933, 15 Nov - Metal, Main, Maudlin, Low Main, Hutton seams abandoned

Aisbitt, Thomas, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 8, killed in the 1833 explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Aisbitt, Thomas, 29 Jan 1869, 2:00 a.m., aged 31, Deputy, killed in the 1869 explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Alexander, Robert, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 8, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Alston, R. W., 23 Sep 1922, (accident: 06 Sep 1922), aged 53, Stoneman, crushed

Atkinson, Nicholson, 20 Dec 1875, aged 18, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Attey, George, 07 Mar 1900, aged 18, Roadman, Four tubs became uncoupled from a full set as it was running down a self-acting incline, and ran over the deceased at the shaft bottom. [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Aurn, George, 09 Aug 1864, he was removing juds in Springwell Pit when a mass of stones fell from the roof and crushed him to death. George Cowell, who was working next to Aurn, was seriously injured and not expected to live. Aurn left a wife and 7 children

Awfflick, Andrew, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 27, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Bailey, John Thomas, 13 Mar 1903, aged 16, Landing Lad, killed by tubs [More information ...]

Baily, Joseph, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 29, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Ball, Charles, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 19, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Ball, Jared Septimus Harbin, 08 May 1913, aged 14, Pony Driver, whilst deceased was taking a set of three full tubs from the siding to the incline bankhead, he was fatally crushed between a prop on the roadside and the middle tub; the width of the road diminishes from 8 feet 7 inches to 6 feet 6 inches at this point, and it is supposed that he was attempting to pass the tubs to open a door, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Banks, Forster, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 26, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Beedling, James, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 22, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Binks, Jacob, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 9, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Blackbird, John, 30 Jul 1869, aged 61, Screener, crushed by waggons

Boggon, George, 29 Jan 1869, 2:00 a.m., aged 27, Hewer, killed in the 1869 explosion [More information ...]

Brown, Frank, 11 Sep 1902, aged 31, Stoneman, fell from ladder [More information ...]

Buglass, William, 23 Jan 1871, aged 70, Horse Keeper, caught by set on incline

Cain, David, 29 Jan 1869, 2:00 a.m., aged 46, Hewer, killed in the 1869 explosion [More information ...]

Claughans, George, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Cook, George, 26 May 1905, aged 55, Hewer, Deceased, who was a hard worker and considered a healthy man, was somewhat eccentric. He had complained of heartburn for a day or two before his death. He was working in a longwall place with his marrow, and had prepared two shots which the deputy refused to fire, saying the place was not ready; deceased worked himself up into a violent temper at the deputy's refusal, and shortly after fell forward and died in a few minutes. A doctor examined the body and certified that death was due to heart failure, and no inquest was held

Coulson, John, 29 Jan 1869, 2:00 a.m., aged 55, Hewer, killed in the 1869 explosion [More information ...]

Cowell, Thomas Gordon, 13 Jan 1896, aged 23, Hewer, He was killed by a fall of stone and top coal when working in a "broken jud." [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Crone, Andrew, 02 Apr 1897, (accident: 27 Mar 1897), aged 34, Banksman, Deceased and another man were cleaning the shaft bottom sump out when the cage came on them. There was plenty of room in the shaft, and he should have stood on one side when he knew the cages were in motion, but he neglected to avail himself of the opportunity. He was accustomed to the work. He died April 2nd [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Dinnery, John, 27 Dec 1924, (accident: 23 Aug 1919), aged 55, Hewer, blow from a pick

Fenwick, Mark, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Fenwick, William (jnr), 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Fenwick, William (snr), 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Fisher, James, 27 Sep 1879, aged 35, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Gowland, Robert, 08 Oct 1875, aged 48, Shifter, Chester Ward Coroner's Inquest, place: West Usworth, cause: fall of stone, New Low seam, Springwell Colliery (DRO Ref: COR/C/2/416)

Grant, William, 02 May 1870, aged 48, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Greenwell, William, jnr., 25 Feb 1908, aged 15, Driver, probably fell before his set of tubs while attempting to get on to limbers, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Hall, Ralph Morton, 16 Feb 1911, aged 18, Driver, crushed by tubs

Harrold, George, 15 Aug 1890, aged 17, Screenman, crushed between waggons

Hedley, Thomas, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Henderson, James, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 30, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Herron, Robert, 12 Jul 1913, (accident: 30 Jun 1913), aged 26, Shifter, whilst sitting with another shifter by the side of the road at the inbye end of the main endless rope haulage plane, waiting for orders where they had to work, a piece of stone, 5 feet long, 6 inches wide and 2 feet 6 inches deep, came away from the side of the road, above the coal, causing injuries to deceased from which he died on July 12th; the place had been used for sitting at for some years

Holt, William, 26 Feb 1914, aged 14, Tub Coupler, Deceased and another lad were taken by a rope examiner and were being lowered down a staple 20 fathoms deep, between two seams. The staple was not used for lowering men, and the cages though provided with a cover had no gates. The cages ran stiffly owing to the newness of the rope, and the two lads were taken to add weight to the descending cage, and even this not being sufficient it was necessary to work a winch attachment on the overhead drum actuated by a handle fixed on to the pinion wheel shaft. The lad turning this lost control of it as soon as the cage restarted, and the handle flying off fell through a space in the planking on to the cage top, and piercing the cover struck deceased on the head knocking him out of the cage. The whole of the proceeding was irregular, and will not be repeated. The handle was afterwards fastened on the winch. [More information ...]

Hood, Samuel, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 12, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Hook, Henry, 31 Jan 1900, (accident: 20 Jan 1900), Hewer, It was alleged that he had received an injury in the mine on January 20th, but the jury returned a verdict that he died from "blood poisoning, caused by a burn to his right forearm and some injury to his side, but how or by what means there was not sufficient evidence to show."

Hunt, Lawrence, 13 May 1872, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hunter, George, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Jefferson, Clark, 29 Jul 1904, aged 16, Driver [More information ...]

Jordan, M (Jnr.), 13 Sep 1929, aged 30, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Lisle, William, 05 Dec 1871, aged 13, Assistant Horse Driver, run over by waggons

Maddison, Michael, 21 Dec 1888, fell down dead in Springwell Colliery whilst following his employment

Maddison, William, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 21, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Mannister, John William, 06 Jun 1900, aged 40, Shifter, He was hewing at a longwall face when some top coal and stone fell from a slip between the timber and the face. [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Martin, John, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 9, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Mason, Joseph, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

McGee, Alexander, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 50, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

McGee, George, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Naughton, Michael, 20 Jul 1912, aged 38, Hewer, deceased was travelling out-bye, and was in the siding when an empty set was being landed from the main and tail rope haulage; the empty set missed the points and ran into the full set; instead of taking a refuge hole he got between full tubs, and was fatally injured

Oliver, George, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 41, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: Lightpipe Row, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Oliver, George, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., killed in the 1833 explosion, father of James who was also killed [More information ...]

Oliver, James, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., killed in the 1833 explosion, son of George who was also killed [More information ...]

Oliver, William, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 8, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: Lightpipe Row, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Price, Edward, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 40, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Price, Robert, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 24, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Puncheon, William, 04 Oct 1834, Brakeman, by the fall of a large piece of timber down the shaft, a scaffolding or "cradle" on which they were standing, in the act of repairing the shaft, was carried to the bottom, a depth of thirty fathoms, and both were killed on the spot, left a widow and six children [More information ...]

Raffle, John, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 25, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: South Shields, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Ramsey, Joseph, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 37, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Ridley, G., 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 16, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Ridley, John, 14 Jan 1869, aged 13, Driver, head caught between tub and roof

Ridley, Lancelot, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 18, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Ritchie, Joseph, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 30, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Ritson, Robert, 20 Jul 1894, 11:45 a.m., 11th hour of shift, aged 32, Deputy, Deceased and another experienced man were drawing out chocks, &c., between the goaf and the coalface, when some stone fell [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Robson, -, 09 Mar 1840, aged boy, they were killed when the chain gave way on the cage in which they were travelling at Springwell Colliery, causing them to fall to the bottom of the shaft [More information ...]

Robson, Lionel, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1837 explosion, Buried: St. Andrews Churchyard, Lamesley [More information ...]

Rodgers, J., 17 Sep 1930, aged 59, Stoneman, slipped

Routledge, James, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 22, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Routledge, Walton, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 20, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Rushey, Joseph, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 30, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Rushey, Luke, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Ryan, John, 12 Jul 1869, aged 13, Wailer, crushed by waggons

Scott, Henry Henderson, 04 Dec 1914, (accident: 03 Dec 1914), aged 47, Shotfirer, Deceased was holding a light for two stonemen who were working at a top canch in jointly sandstone. The roof had been weighing and the stone was drawn. The stonemen had neglected to make their working place secure, and a fall of canch followed by roof stone occurred. He died at the Infirmary on the following day.

Simpson, George, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 31, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Smith, John, 04 Oct 1834, Wasteman, by the fall of a large piece of timber down the shaft, a scaffolding or "cradle" on which they were standing, in the act of repairing the shaft, was carried to the bottom, a depth of thirty fathoms, and both were killed on the spot [More information ...]

Smith, Matthew, 16 Apr 1917, aged 51, Hewer, accidentally killed by a fall of stone whilst on rolleyway within Main Coal Seam; residence: 9 Springwell Road, Wrekenton (Inquest: 19 Apr 1917)

Steel, Charles, 09 Mar 1840, aged 51, they were killed when the chain gave way on the cage in which they were travelling at Springwell Colliery, causing them to fall to the bottom of the shaft, Buried: St. Andrews Churchyard, Lamesley [More information ...]

Steel, Samuel, 09 Jul 1879, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Stephenson, George Crow, 05 Jun 1899, aged 18, Switch Keeper & Small Trimmer, While riding between two waggons he fell, and was run over. He should have been at the back of the last waggon, on which he was allowed to ride up to the switches when going to change them [Inspection made]

Storey, William, 05 Sep 1873, aged 25

Tate, Lancelot, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 17, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: The Mount, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Thompson, Christopher, 09 Mar 1840, they were killed when the chain gave way on the cage in which they were travelling at Springwell Colliery, causing them to fall to the bottom of the shaft [More information ...]

Thompson, Edward, 06 Mar 1877, aged 23, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone from roof

Thompson, Thomas, 09 May 1833, 2:00 p.m., aged 13, killed in the 1833 explosion, address: Moorhouse Farm, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Washington, on 9th May 1833 [More information ...]

Wakefield, Todd, 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., aged 32, killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Watson, James, 19 May 1883, aged 18, Putter, crushed between tub and prop

Wear, T., 06 Dec 1837, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1837 explosion [More information ...]

Weedy, John, 03 Oct 1896, aged 35, Hewer, Deceased and his marrow were working in a longwall lift about 11 yards wide 3 feet 3 inches high with solid goaf on one side, and stone pillaring on the other, when a fall came away from slips. The deputy had left the place about an hour before as he thought perfectly safe [Inspection made & inquest attended]

White, Thomas, 14 Nov 1898, aged 16, Wailer, Instead of attending to his work, the deceased had got over a fence and was looking down the small coal lift, when the cage on being lowered crushed his head [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Wilkinson, Robert, 11 Sep 1899, (accident: 31 Aug 1899), aged 21, Hewer, While a deputy was firing a carbonite shot by means of an electric battery, deceased retired 37 yards along a gateway, but was struck in the chest by a small piece of coal projected from the shot [Inquest attended], Buried: St. Lawrence Churchyard, Pittington

Willis, James, 01 Mar 1873, aged 26, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Wilson, William, 08 Nov 1884, aged 55, Banksman, cradle got amain in the shaft

Wind, John, 29 Jan 1869, 2:00 a.m., aged 20, Hewer, killed in the 1869 explosion [More information ...]

Wood, Dennis, 10 Jun 1881, aged 54, Hewer, crushed by tubs on inclined plane

Wood, Wilson, 24 Apr 1900, aged 53, Hewer, While hewing, a fall of grey coal occurred. A deputy had examined the working prior to the accident, and considered it well timbered and safe. [Inquest attended]

Wright, William, 10 Nov 1886, aged 70, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Wyke, Andrew, 06 Dec 1872, cage chain broke as they were ascending the shaft