HEBBURN. Hebburn, Durham. 12th. August, 1814.

The explosion killed the underviewer and all his assistants who were in the pit at the time, a total of eleven persons. Elias Mould, the underviewer and the men went in to do the work when the pit fired and all were burnt to death. The men were changing the direction of the air current and it was thought that they had not left enough time for the firedamp to clear away. Evidence given to the Select Committee by John Buddle, who was the head viewer at the mine, said that there were no lamps in the pit and it was thought safe for the men to work with candles.

Most of the victims were buried at Jarrow St. Paul’s. They were:

  • John Dixon aged 38 years.
  • John Rutlidge aged 51 years.
  • John Johnson aged 29 years.
  • Edward Marshall aged 25 years.
  • Richard Defty aged 35 years.
  • Elias Mould aged 37 years.
  • Robert Hepplewhite age 28 years.
  • George Smith.
  • Peter Pratt aged 24 years.
  • Robert Thackwrayferry aged 38 years.
  • Thomas Johnson buried at Wallsend.

 

REFERENCES
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway. Vol.1, p.404.
A History of Coal Mining in Great Britain. Galloway, p. 161.
The Select Committee on Accidents in Coal Mines, 1835, 2,361-3.
Burial Register, St. Paul’s, Jarrow.

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

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