WILLINGTON. High Pit. Willington, Durham. 20th. September, 1831.

The colliery was the property of Messrs. Bell and Dixon and the Bensham Seam was 39 fathoms below the Main High Coal and was reached by a staple which was sunk some distance from the shaft. A large blower was encountered in the seam and Mr. Johnson gave orders that the seam should be allowed to fill with water. This was done but the gas forced its way through the water and entered the High Main Seam where it ignited at the naked light of the men who were working there. There was no warning.

In evidence to the Select Committee, George Johnson recollected the explosion which claimed the lives of eight, four men and four boys and scorched several others. The whole of the workforce was in the pit at the time and most of them escaped by another shaft. After the accident, the staple was covered by a strong iron cap in which there was a three-inch pipe through which the gas was taken to the surface and burnt.

Those who died were:

  • Thomas Nichols
  • Joseph Armstrong.
  • Michael Martin.
  • Thomas Cowell.
  • Benjamin Twigs.

Nichols left a widow and five children and Armstrong and Cowell each a widow and three children.

The inquest was held before Mr. S. Reed at Mr. Wardel’s house when it was heard that candles were used in the mine. Had safety lamps been used, the accident might perhaps have been avoided. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

 

REFERENCES
Annals of Coal Mining. Galloway, Vol.1, p.499.
Report from the Select Committee on Accidents in Mines. 4th September 1835. p.1,262.
Sketches of the Coal Mines in Northumberland and Durham. T.H. Hair.
Northumberland Advertiser.
Durham Advertiser.

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

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