Preston Colliery

Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents

A stone drift, which was being driven from the Bensham to the Yard Seam, had been stopped for three months owing to a feeder of water. The water was nearly all pumped out, when a pumpman went into the drift, against orders, with an open light, and ignited some gas. No gas had been seen when driving the lift, and it had no doubt accumulated while the mouth of the drift was sealed up by the water. Cause open lights.

Source: 1897 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8819), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines, copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian.