Halsnead Colliery

The colliery was in Whiston and appears in the Inspector’s Reports in 1850 as being owned by Richard Willis. In 1855 it was owned by Lee, Williams and Pugh. The colliery then disappeared form the Reports for a number of years but it appeared again in 1888 under the name of the Halsnead Colliery Co., Whiston, Prescot. It was reported as closing in 1895.

20th March 1869
Colliery explosion at Whiston.
On Tuesday week an explosion took place at the Bye pit at the Haldsnead colliery by which three miners were burnt to the body. It was about two months since water got into the pit and it had been cleared only a few days ago. Three men John Cross a fireman Samuel Briscoe, miner and Turbeck William Swift of Whiston went to fill a hollow in the roof when a quantity of gas that had accumulated burnt the men about the head and hands Naked lights were used. (St. Helens Standard)

4th. May 1867.
Explosion at Halsnhead.
On Monday morning almost as soon as the men had gone down the pit, there was an explosion in No.1 pit at the colliery belonging to Messrs. Lea, Williams and Pugh of Whiston. Early in the morning a fireman went down to make his examination and he reported that all was right but almost immediately as the men got into the mine there was an explosion. Two men named Thomas and Henry Lunt were severely burnt about the head face and upper parts of the body and Thomas Swift was slightly burnt and a young man named Berryll was slightly burnt on his legs. (Prescot Reporter)

13th. March. 1869
Explosion At Whiston
An explosion occurred at Bye Pit, Halnshead colliery, by which three miners were burnt about their body. Water had got into the pit which had been cleared only a few days before. The water had caused a portion of the roof to cave in. On Thursday morning with John Cross, fireman, and miners Samuel Briscoe and William Simm were preparing to fill up the hollow in the roof when a quantity of gas which had accumulated in the hollow ignited. The men were using naked lights. (Prescot Reporter)

12th. December 1874.
Fatal Accident at Whiston.
On Wednesday at about 2 o’clock, a collier, William Mason aged 70 years was working in the Halneshead colliery, Whiston when a portion of the roof fell and crushed him to death. Several others were working nearby and escaped injury. The unfortunate man lived in Whiston and had worked in the colliery for a great number of years. The inquest was held at the Railway Hotel, Whiston. (Prescot Reporter)

12th. June 1880.
Fire at Whiston Colliery.
A fire was reported at Halnshead colliery which was attended to without loss of life or limb. There are four pits known as Nos. 1 and 2, Bye and Engine pit. The latter was the pumping pit. The fire broke out in the no.2 pit when the men had gone home and bricklayers were engaged in strengthening the shafts and they were using paraffin lamps. It is believed that one f these lamps was dropped and the timber caught fire. There was also a suspicion that an escape of gas had occurred. Work was going n to control the fire but it was reported that the efforts were unavailing. It is hoped that the pits will be opened in a day or two. On the 17th. July 1880 it was reported that it was thought the fire had bee extinguished but it seems to have gained ground and various experiments have been tried and proved futile. A violent explosion of gas took place at the No.2 pit while operations were being carried on but no one was injured. The explosion caused great consternation in the district with many rushing to the pit fearing a calamity. The pit has again been closed. (Prescot Reporter)

28th January 1882.
Colliery Accident at Whiston.
John Banyon, a miner at Halnshead colliery when a quantity of coal fell and crushed his foot. he is now doing well. (Prescot Reporter)

28th January 1882.
Colliery Accident at Whiston.
James Cooper was driving a road at the Halnshead colliery when a fall of the roof took place and he was injured in the chest. He was attended to by Dr. Brindle and is now well. (Prescot Reporter)

10th. June 1882.
Colliery Accident at Whiston.
A young man named George Roscoe, collier at Halnshead colliery was moving his tools when a side fell in on him and he was severely crushed. He was attended to at home by Dr. Brindle when it was ascertained that his back was injured and there was internal damage. He was in a critical condition but later reports said that he was improving. (Prescot Reporter)

30th. June 1883.
Accident at Whiston Colliery.
On Tuesday afternoon at Halnshead colliery, five men were employed pulling down an old engine house when the wall suddenly fell and a large portion fell on the back of James Derbyshire and Charles Galloway of Church Lane was struck on the foot. Both men were attended to by Dr. Brindle and were not found to be seriously injured and it was expected that they would soon resume work. (Prescot Reporter)

18th. August 1883.
Colliery Accident at Whiston.
George Travis, a young man, who was employed at Leigh’s colliery, Whiston on the pit bank. He was coupling some wagons when one of his hands accidentally got caught between two buffers and several fingers were crushed off. he was taken home and attended to by Dr. Brindle and was reported to be progressing favourably. (Prescot Reporter)

15th. September 1883.
What Might Have Been A Fatal Accident?
At Halnshead colliery property of Messrs. Leighs a middle-aged man, William Turner who lived in Stank Lane, was engaged as a miner when a large stone fell from the roof. fellow-workmen plucked Turner away just in time to prevent the stone from falling on him. The stone bruised his thigh and he was taken home and attended to by the Doctor and was reported to be doing well. (Prescot Reporter)

29th. September 1883.
Narrow Escape at Whiston Colliery.
Samuel Briscoe, collier, an elderly man was working at Halnshead colliery when about a ton of roof gave way and fell on him. William Mason and eight other colliers managed to get him out. This took about an hour and he was found to be alive. His right arm was broken and he was severely crushed and shaken. he was taken home and attended to by the doctor who reported him to be in a dangerous condition. (Prescot Reporter)

29th. September 1883.
Narrow Escape at Whiston Colliery.
John Hampson, collier, met with an accident at the Wigan and Whiston colliery ad was reported to be progressing favourably. (Prescot Reporter)

26th. July 1889.
Fall of Roof at Whiston (Halnshead).
John Henry Lawrenson of Whiston while he was engaged in getting coal when a portion of the roof fell in on him. He was badly bruised and the Dr. saw him and said he was progressing favourably. (St. Helens Reporter)

25th. September 1891.
Closing of Halnshead Colliery.

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.