from The Illustrated London News, October 5, 1844

Fearful Colliery Explosion and Loss of Ninety-Five Lives

We have the painful task of furnishing the particulars of an awful explosion which took place at Haswell Colliery, near Sunderland, last Saturday afternoon, about three o'clock. The accident is attributed to various causes; but as we give a full account of the evidence taken at the coroner's inquest, where the facts were elicited in an authentic shape, we abstain from noticing the various reports contained in the versions which have reached us. Of the chief melancholy fact, the loss of nearly a hundred lives, there is, unhappily, no doubt.

Haswell Colliery is situate in the very centre of the great Durham coalfield, about seven miles from the City of Durham, and nine from Sunderland. It is the property of Messrs Clark, Taylor, Plumber, and other wealthy coal owners concerned with the district. It is 150 fathoms deep, and the workings are in the well-known Hutton Seam. The character of the mine in respect of ventilation has always stood high. During the pitman's strike a few of the off hand men were employed as hewers, and a few new men introduced; but since the termination of the strike none but experienced workmen have been employed under ground, the others being employed at bank. Not a soul has been left to tell the mournful tale of how the accident occurred, the whole of the men employed in the working having been swept into eternity without a moment's warning. Four men, who were at the bottom of the shaft, escaped, by the fire having burned itself out before it reached them.