Washington Colliery

1760 - A series of boring operations from the surface was in progress in the vicinity of Washington, proving the Main Coal Seam.

1818, Oct 01 - Commenced to sink the No. 1 Pit in Spennymoor Close, Washington New Colliery ; it was put down from the surface to the Main Coal Seam.

1901 - Sinking was commenced at Washington to reach the Harvey Seam at a depth of 720 ft. The first 120 ft. consisted largely of troublesome quicksands, which were sunk through successfully by the Poetsch freezing method-the first instance of its application in Great Britain.

Allen, Ralph, 27 Sep 1889, aged 30, Waggonwayman, crushed by cage at shaft bottom

Arkwright, Anthony, 14 Feb 1874, aged 14, Flatter, killed by jumping off a set of tubs in motion, Chester Ward Coroner's Inquest, place: Washington Coll., cause: accidental death at Washington F pit (DRO Ref: COR/C/2/22)

Atkinson, Philip, 01 Jun 1867, aged 13, Putter, over winding [More information ...]

Barron, G. H., 29 Mar 1948, (accident: 24 Mar 1948), aged 28, Datal, struck by winch handle

Bennett, James, 18 Mar 1898, aged 16, Landing Keeper, Bennett and four others, in defiance of the rules, got on to an empty timber tram attached to a full set as the latter was going out-bye. The tram got off the way at a curve, and Bennett's head coming in contact with a balk, he was fatally injured [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Bewick, Joseph, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 46, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), married, father of Thomas and Michael [More information ...]

Bewick, Michael, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 21, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of Joseph Bewick, brother of Thomas [More information ...]

Bewick, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 25, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of Joseph Bewick, brother of Michael [More information ...]

Black, Thomas, 25 Jan 1905, (accident: 24 Jan 1905), aged 42, Stoneman [More information ...]

Blackburn, John, 09 Oct 1893, 5:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 50, Stoneman, After firing a shot in a stone drift, deceased began kirving again without previously examining the roof, and some stone which had been loosened by the shot fell on to him, crushing him so severely that he died [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Bowman, Thomas, 14 Jun 1736, Pitman, killed in the 1736 disaster, of Biddick, Buried: at Washington on the 14th [More information ...]

Brannon, Patrick, 01 Jun 1867, aged 40, Hewer, over winding, wife and four children [More information ...]

Brennan, Thomas, 07 Feb 1900, aged 21, Hewer, A road was being made through old workings, when a stone fell from between two slips. The place was well timbered, and several props were canted out by the fall. [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Briggs, William, 01 Jun 1867, aged 24, Hewer, over winding, wife and one child [More information ...]

Brown, Robert, 13 Jan 1904, (accident: 11 Jan 1904), aged 30, Hewer, crushed by tubs [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 13 Jan 1904 pg 4] [More information ...]

Carlton, R. W., 13 Dec 1894, 6:25 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 14, Screener, In attempting to cross the railway when some waggons were being shunted, he was run over [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Carlton, William, 28 Apr 1897, (accident: 10 Mar 1897), aged 42, Hewer, This man lost his life by a fall of stone in the longwall face. It appears as if he had been reaching for his shovel at the face when a fall from "slips" caught him, at the same time knocking out some props. Died April 28th [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Carter, Thomas, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 7, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Cochrane, Owen, 19 Jan 1886, aged 47, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Cogan, James, 28 Jul 1903, aged 27, Hewer, crushed by tubs [More information ...]

Cohen, Peter, 26 Jan 1877, aged 19, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Cowie, John, 25 May 1886, aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Cox, Thomas, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 55, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Coyles, John, 01 Jun 1867, aged 39, Hewer, over winding, wife and nine children [More information ...]

Curran, H., 01 Jun 1867, aged 38, Hewer, over winding, wife and five children [More information ...]

Dalton, Henry, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 33, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children [More information ...]

Davison, Abraham, 10 Nov 1898, aged 14, Driver, As Davison was running alongside the tubs to get to the limbers, he came in contact with a prop set in the middle of the flat, and fell between the tubs. It was his first day at driving at this flat, and after he had taken the "dregs" out of the tubs the pony moved away [Inquest attended]

Davison, Joseph, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Dawson, George, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Dawson, Joseph, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 19, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Dobbin, Robert, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 34, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Elliott, Edward, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Elliott, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 43, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children [More information ...]

Eltringham, William, 22 Oct 1859, Driver, explosion [More information ...]

Errington, John, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 49, Furnaceman, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and three children, died rescuing others [More information ...]

Falmer, Stephen, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 63, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Flinn, John, 07 Nov 1877, aged 21, Hewer, fall of stone in longwall working

Foster, John, 01 Jan 1849, shaft accident [More information ...]

Fullerton, Robert, 05 Jun 1894, 10:40 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 31, Engine Plane Man, A fall of stone came on to him, caused by a socket on the rope getting fast to a sheave and drawing the props out. The road and arrangements were in good order, and it is difficult to understand how the socket became jammed between the sheave and the frame, which are made with a view to prevent such an accident [Inspection made]

Furness, William Isaac, 20 Dec 1904, aged 45, Jack Engineman, Part of deceased's duty was to oil the screening machinery. He came to work about 9 p.m., or an hour late and was last seen by the underkeeker getting into an empty wagon under the screens, probably with a view to examine the sheaves and a short length of shafting carrying the underside of the coal-cleaning belt. The ends of the wagon only cleared the beams of the floor above by 2 inches, and on the wagon being moved by the wagon shifter, who was unaware of deceased's position, he was crushed between one of its ends and one of the beams

Galmey, Henry, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 9, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Gardener, William Edward, 14 Feb 1907, (accident: 05 Feb 1907), aged 20, Hewer, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 15 Feb 1907] [More information ...]

Gatenby, Edwin, 23 Aug 1939, aged 62, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Gaviston, James, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 17, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Gaviston, John, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 15, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Glen, Robert, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children [More information ...]

Graham, Edward, 27 Jun 1907, aged 13, Driver, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 27 Jun 1907] [More information ...]

Gray, John, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Haggan, Patrick, 18 Jul 1904, (accident: 29 Jan 1904), aged 62, Hewer [More information ...]

Hall, Charles, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Hall, Edward, 10 May 1878, aged 42, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hall, Peter, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 11, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Hall, William, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 44, Deputy, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and seven children [More information ...]

Hanning, James, 09 Apr 1867, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hanson, Robert, 13 Jan 1875, (accident: 26 Dec 1874), aged 26, Shaftsman, arm crushed by cage

Harding, James, 20 May 1884, aged 64, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone

Harkness, Robert, 06 May 1891, 8:00 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 13, Rapper Boy, the empty set of tubs got off the way and jammed deceased between the tubs and a prop [Inspection made & Inquest attended]

Harkness, William, 27 Feb 1890, 7:30 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 44, Engineman, Killed whilst oiling parts of an engine when in motion

Harrison, James, 14 Apr 1870, aged 16, Putter, crushed between tub and timber

Harrison, John (snr), 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Furnaceman, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children, father of John (jnr) [More information ...]

Harrison, William, 14 Mar 1891, aged 67, he had been discharged from the Washington Colliery in May 1889, on the doctors certificate that he was suffering from softening of the brain, wandered to the pit, and, climbing over the fence, fell down the shaft

Hartley, Andrew, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 13, Driller, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle) [More information ...]

Hawks, William H., 30 Nov 1895, 7:30 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 20, Putter, deceased was following his tub up an incline when the pony fell, which knocked the limmers off, and the tub running back jammed him against some props

Hedley, Anthony, 14 Jun 1736, Pitman, killed in the 1736 disaster, of Biddick, Buried: at Washington on the 14th [More information ...]

Henderson, William, 26 Dec 1893, 7:00 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 32, Hewer, Fall of stone. He was starting in with a new lift, and after working a short time bared a "slip" in the roof, which brought down the stone, capping two props [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 27 Dec 1893 pg 3 col 4]

Hepplewhite, John, 25 Mar 1878, aged 63, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Hoare, Herbert, 18 Jun 1873, aged 26, Shifter, crushed by cage

Hoare, Matthew, 28 Oct 1892, 11:00 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 59, Hewer, A set on the incline had run amain, and the men at the pit bottom waiting to ride pressed forward to see the smash, but the tubs, missing the points, ran into them [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Holmes, Thomas, 01 Mar 1798, aged 18, Pitman, killed in the 1798 disaster, of New Washington, son of John and Jane Holmes, Buried: at Washington on 2nd March [More information ...]

Hooper, Nicholas, 27 Mar 1876, aged 40, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hooper, William, 15 Apr 1873, aged 34, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Howse, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Hughes, Henry, 04 Oct 1898, (accident: 20 Apr 1898), aged 17, Run Rider, Deceased was caught whilst attempting to jump on to the last tub of the empty set. He subsequently died from blood poisoning on October 4th [Inquest attended]

Hunt, Thomas, 18 May 1870, aged 51, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hutchinson, George, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 62, Furnaceman, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children, died rescuing others [More information ...]

Hutchinson, Henry, 20 Nov 1828, 3:00 p.m., aged 8, killed in the 1828 explosion [More information ...]

Hutchinson, J., 01 Jan 1849, shaft accident [More information ...]

Jones, George, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 35, Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and two children [More information ...]

Kearney, Patrick, 01 Jun 1867, aged 40, Hewer, over winding, wife and seven children [More information ...]

Kellet, Samuel, 25 Oct 1906, (accident: 04 Oct 1905), aged 58, Deputy & Chargeman, affected by gases from powder smoke [More information ...]

Kelley, John, 19 May 1881, aged 42, Screenman, crushed between truck and screen framing

Kirtley, John, 28 Apr 1897, aged 25, Hewer, Fall of stone. The stone fell from a slip, and was thick at one end and tapered to nothing. Another hewer was in this place about ten minutes before the accident, and he described it as being well timbered and in good working order [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 29 Apr 1897 pg 3]

Lee, John, 12 Jul 1894, 4:15 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 40, Hewer, Deceased was riding on the full set, contrary to rules, and for some reason did not get off when approaching the "kip," and was caught against a baulk [Inspection made]

Leeman, Thomas, 09 Jun 1897, (accident: 29 May 1897), aged 61, Shifter, He and others were riding on a timber tram drawn by a pony taking some "frame work" in for an incline wheel. Deceased was caught between the roof and the tram and severely injured. He died June 9th. A man with him, with 44 years' experience, admitted they knew they were doing wrong [Inquest attended]

Marley, Peter, 06 Feb 1906, aged 35, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Marshall, John, 14 Oct 1905, (accident: 07 Mar 1905), aged 59, Hewer, Deceased sustained slight injury to his right eye on March 7th by a piece of coal flying from the pick and striking it while he was hewing; he saw a doctor at the time, who found the covering of eye had been cut, and advised him to stay at home and shade it for a few days, but deceased would not stay from work more than two days. On the 14th October, while carrying home some wood during a high wind, he died on the highway. Medical evidence, after a poet-mortem was given at the inquest, that the injury to the eye had no connection with the death, which was due to the rupture of an artery, and so the Jury found

Martin, John George, 06 Apr 1906, (accident: 05 Apr 1906), aged 30, Hewer [More information ...]

McCourt, Joseph, 06 Dec 1902, (accident: 28 Nov 1902), aged 26, Screener, a small stationary engine, by means of a rope, is used to move trucks on the colliery sidings near the screens ; to get a lead on to the East line of rails the rope was placed over a guiding sheave and lay in such a position that when tightened up it had to cross the top of a pipe staple, covered with a wood frame, which projected a few inches above the ground ; the staple was 14 feet deep and 4½ feet in diameter, and there was 4 feet of water in it ; when the rope tightened up it caught the wood frame and pulled it off the staple top, and about 3.30 a.m. deceased fell into the staple ; he was got out at once, but inflammation of the lungs set in and he died a week after the accident

McGlone, Thomas, 21 Oct 1895, 11:00 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 29, Hewer, caught by a fall of stone in a place he had no right to be in

McLaren, John, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), married, father of John jun [More information ...]

McLaren, John, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of John sen. [More information ...]

McNair, William (jnr), 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of William snr [More information ...]

McNair, William (snr), 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), father of William jnr [More information ...]

Middleton, John William, 25 Jul 1941, aged 57, gassed, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Miller, Ralph, 19 Aug 1895, 7:45 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 14, Driver, on driving down a slight incline the deceased lost control of the pony, and was thrown against a prop

Milner, Hiram, 01 Jun 1867, aged 51, Hewer, over winding, wife and three children [More information ...]

Morrowlee, Thomas, 01 Mar 1798, aged 30, Pitman, killed in the 1798 disaster, of New Washington, son of Thomas Morrowlee and Margaret his wife, Buried: at Washington on 2nd March [More information ...]

Mould, Christopher, 22 Oct 1859, Hewer, explosion [More information ...]

Mould, William, 22 Oct 1859, Hewer, explosion [More information ...]

Mulaney, Michael, 01 Jun 1867, aged 15, Putter, over winding [More information ...]

Mullen, Michael, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Nevins, William, 10 Feb 1873, aged 14, Driver, fell down a staple [More information ...]

Newby, Thomas, 14 Jun 1736, Pitman, killed in the 1736 disaster, of Biddick, Buried: at Washington on the 14th [More information ...]

Pearson, James, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 14, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle) [More information ...]

Pickering, George, 01 Mar 1902, aged 54, Stoneman, deceased, with another stoneman, was engaged in enlarging and re-timbering an old road in the Hutton Seam ; he appears to have undermined one of the original props set in the road, and it with a plank and another prop fell out and relieved a mass of stone from the face of the canch which fell on him

Pringle, John, 08 Jan 1894, 12:30 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 57, Shifter, The deceased, with other men, was walking along an engine plane going to work, when a fall of stone took place, part of which caught the deceased. The roof was considered to be good [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Quinn, Patrick, 15 Oct 1878, aged 13, Coupler, crushed by tubs

Richardson, William, 22 Oct 1859, Horsekeeper, explosion [More information ...]

Robinson, Jacob, 14 Jun 1736, Pitman, killed in the 1736 disaster, of Biddick, Buried: at Washington on the 14th [More information ...]

Robinson, William, 14 Jun 1736, Pitman, killed in the 1736 disaster, of Biddick, Buried: at Washington on the 14th [More information ...]

Robson, George, 05 Jan 1900, (accident: 02 Jan 1900), aged 36, Hewer, The deceased was working at the coal face when a stone fell away from a slip, causing injuries from which he died on 5th January.

Sadler, James, 24 Sep 1868, aged 16, Putter, crushed by cage

Scorer, James, 07 Dec 1880, aged 14, Driver, crushed by tubs on the engine plane

Scott, Matthew, 31 Jul 1895, 1:30 p.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 27, Hewer, the deceased, in order to work more freely, was taking out some props out to set elsewhere, when some stone fell on him from a "hitch leader" and "slips"

Shepherd, Thomas, 24 Nov 1896, aged 37, Hewer, Deceased and his marrow were working in a "broken jud." At the commencement of the shift the deputy had examined the place, and timbered it with chocks, props, and planks. After working for some time the men examined the roof and saw a "slip" across the face. They set a prop and headtree and were making room to set an end prop when the stone fell [Inquest attended]

Shevills, James Edward, 17 Dec 1931, aged 39, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Simpson, Joseph, 20 Mar 1896, aged 24, Putter, He was driving a pony and sitting on the tub limmers, when the pony stepped on to a broken sleeper which was lying in the middle of the way. The broken wood got fast against one of the sleepers, and stuck into the lower part of Simpson's body [Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 24 Mar 1896 pg 3; inquest - 25 Mar 1896 pg 3]

Simpson, William, 14 Apr 1899, aged 43, Shifter, Died in the pit at night on 14th April, on his way from his work. Verdict, "Died from rupture of blood vessel in the lung." [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Smith, John, 01 Jun 1867, aged 33, Hewer, over winding, wife and seven children [More information ...]

Smith, Robert, 13 Jul 1878, aged 59, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

Smith, Simon, 24 Apr 1885, aged 14, Helper Up, riding in empty tub, which got off the way and drew a fall upon him, a large stone of which broke his neck

Stafford, James, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Trapper, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), young boy [More information ...]

Telford, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 12, Trapper, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle) [More information ...]

Thompson, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 22, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Thompson, Thomas, 24 May 1917, aged 51, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Todd, Henry, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 17, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Todd, James, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 13, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Todd, John, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 23, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Todd, Jonas, 01 Jun 1867, aged 30, Hewer, over winding, wife and two children [More information ...]

Turnbull, John, 30 Dec 1870, aged 28, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Turnbull, William Matthew, 11 May 1869, aged 18, Fireman at bank, crushed by shaft water tub falling on him whilst at bank

Urwin, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and six children, father of William [More information ...]

Urwin, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Deputy, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and four children [More information ...]

Urwin, William, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of Thomas [More information ...]

Virk, William, 22 May 1883, aged 56, Engineman, struck by the crank of the ventilating engine

Ward, John, 01 Mar 1798, aged 37, Pitman, killed in the 1798 disaster, of New Washington, Buried: at Washington on 2nd March [More information ...]

Watson, William, 26 Jan 1892, (accident: 21 Dec 1881, 8:00 a.m., 2nd hour of shift), aged 17, Landing Keeper, He was running alongside a pony, which was drawing eight loaded tubs, when he tripped and fell in front of the tubs, receiving a compound fracture of the thigh. Injured 21st December 1891 [Inquiries made]

Whittle, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), wife and eight children, father of William [More information ...]

Whittle, William, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), son of Thomas [More information ...]

Wilson, Joseph, 01 Mar 1798, aged 13, Pitman, killed in the 1798 disaster, of New Washington, son of Thomas Wilson, Pitman, and Anne his wife late Graydon, Buried: at Washington on 2nd March [More information ...]

Wright, Charles, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 14, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]

Wright, Thomas, 19 Aug 1851, 11:30 p.m., aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1851 explosion (ignition caused by lighted candle), single [More information ...]