Walbottle Colliery

Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents

An explosion of gas, of which no notice in writing was sent me, as required by Section 80 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, occurred at Walbottle Percy Colliery, Northumberland, on 30th April, 1933.

Some months later allegations were made from an outside source that a workman had been injured by an explosion of gas, and I immediately had inquiries made by a member of my staff.

The manager informed my assistant that a slight accident had occurred on the date mentioned but that it was due to an explosion of an acetylene lamp which the injured person was using at the time. The injured workman, upon being interviewed, definitely stated that he had been burned by firedamp; this was later confirmed by the doctor who attended him.

As a result of our inquiries it was further alleged by workmen that a second explosion had occurred in the same working place on 26th May, 1933, causing injuries to another man. This was also denied by the manager, who said the injuries were caused at the pit-heap, again by an explosion of an acetylene lamp.

The evidence we were able to collect did not agree with the manager's version, and a number of other irregularities were disclosed in connexion with the accidents.

By your direction, legal proceedings were taken against the owner and manager. The hearing at the Police Court lasted five days, a large number of witnesses appearing for both sides. As will be seen in Appendix I, the owner and manager were convicted on all charges, fines and costs to a total of £136 10s. 0d., being imposed.

Source: 1933 Mines Inspectors Report