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  Axwell Park Colliery  Index  Axwell Park Colliery  
/ Index \

Axwell Park Colliery


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Location: Swalwell
3½ miles [5 km] WSW of Newcastle
Map Ref: (Sheet 88) NZ202618, 54° 57' 1" N, 1° 41' 4" W
Maps: Map 1896 map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
Map 1928 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
Map 1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)
Opened: 1839
Closed: 07 Aug 1954
Owners: 1880s - Mrs. Mary Hannington
1880s - Hannington & Co.
1890s - Hannington & Co. Ltd.
1903 - Priestman Collieries Ltd.
1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output: 1880 - Coal. Fireclay.
1882 - Coal. Fireclay.
1883 - Coal. Fireclay.
1888 - Coal. Fireclay.
1890 - Coal. Fireclay.
1894 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1896 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1900 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1902 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1905 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1910 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.
1915 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam. Fireclay.
1921 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.
1925 - Coal: Coking.
1930 - Coal: Coking.
1935 - Coal: Coking, Steam.
1950 - Coal: Coking. Fireclay.
Employment:
Year Pit  TotalScale Below Above
189433427856
189621917742
190041634769
190245836692
190546239468
1910693574119
191546938881
1921760609151
1925798686112
193039232468
193544337172
194054045288
194529124249
195027222349
NCB  NCB Employment Figures
Manager  Colliery Management (prior to 1970)
Seams Worked: 1905 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Five Quarter
1910 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Five Quarter
1915 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Five Quarter, Stone Coal, Three Quarter
1921 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Five Quarter, Stone Coal, Three Quarter
1925 - Brockwell, Five Quarter, Three Quarter
1930 - Brockwell, Five Quarter, Stone, Three Quarter
1935 - Brockwell, Five Quarter, Stone, Three Quarter
1950 - Brockwell, Five Quarter, Stone, Three Quarter
  Abandoned Seams  Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Axwell Park Colliery
Notes:

1839 - Engine pit sunk from the surface to the Main Coal seam, and a deep boring continued lower

1873 - The No. 2 Pit, Axwell Colliery, was sunk from the surface to the Brockwell Seam

1887 - Cannel, Top Busty, Bottom Busty, Brockwell seams abandoned

Incident  Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Axwell Park Colliery


  Description Summary Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Description

From an early period, coal mining has formed a chief item of industry in this parish [Whickham], and we find, as early as 1333, Bishop Bury granted leases for the mines to Sir Thomas Gray and John Pulhore, rector of Whickham. The Upper seams in many places have been almost entirely worked out, and disused shafts are numerous throughout this parish. There are now two collieries working, the Axwell and Swalwell. At the former, which was sunk about 1841, there are being wrought the Stone coal, 20 inches thick, with the same thickness of good fireclay. This seam is about 32 fathoms deep at Whickham, but comes to clay at Swalwell. Ten fathoms lower, the Five Quarter is met, 2 feet 3 inches thick. This colliery was flooded out soon after sinking, and was re-opened in 1889, and is now worked by Messrs. Hannington & Co. The coals are drawn through a drift to Swalwell, the average output being about 360 tons per day, giving employment to 250 men and boys. Swalwell colliery, worked by G. R. Ramsay, Esq., was sunk in 1882. There are two seams being wrought here: the Stone coal, 21 fathoms deep, 2 feet 3 inches in thickness ; and the Five Quarter, 28 fathoms, with an average thickness of 2 feet, with fireclay at top and bottom ; the daily output is about 100 tons of coal and 70 tons of clay, which is made into bricks, &c. The number of hands employed is 120.

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham


  Disasters Summary Description Names Local Collieries Credits  

Disasters (5 or more killed)

None Found


  Names Summary Description Disasters Local Collieries Credits  

Names of those killed at this colliery

Please note that this collection of names is by no means complete!

In Memoriam
  Individal page   

Armstrong, John, 22 Apr 1896, aged 48, Hewer, A large fall of stone about 6 inches thick in the centre and thinning out to a feather edge all round fell out from over the coal face and knocking out two props [Inspection made]

  Individal page   

Dawson, Thomas, 06 Dec 1905, aged 17, Putter, killed by a fall of roof, Buried: St. Mary the Virgin, Whickham [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Dawson, William, 10 Nov 1899, aged 21, Hewer, He had finished removing the bottom coal, when the stone band, 16 inches in thickness, fell from slips and killed him [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Diamond, Henry S., 29 Aug 1923, aged 14, Driver, killed by a fallen girder

  Individal page   

Dodds, George, 02 Aug 1893, 3:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 34, Deputy, Whilst drawing props out of an old bord, contrary to the overman's orders, and without the usual assistance, a fall took place and killed him. The overman was the deceased's brother [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Gill, Richard, 20 Dec 1929, aged 24, Landing Lad, killed through being crushed between a tub and the roof

  Individal page   

Hailes, J., 05 Jul 1933, aged 31, Onsetter, fell down shaft [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Handy, Jacob, 10 Feb 1896, aged 49, Deputy, Explosion of gas, owing to the men going into the place, one with a safety lamp and the other with a naked light [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Henry, Whishart, 07 Jan 1901, aged 25, Hewer, While working in a broken working a large stone fell away from a slip in the roof. The place was apparently well timbered, but a prop and several planks were broken or knocked out by the fall [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Hurst, William, 23 Jun 1875, aged 24, Hewer, Chester Ward Coroner's Inquest, place: Winlaton, cause: fall of stone at Axwell colliery (DRO Ref: COR/C/2/306)

  Individal page JG 

Jefferson, Robert Pearson, 09 May 1918, aged 15, Apprentice Fitter, he was descending an old pumping shaft at Swalwell by means of an iron ladder when he accidentally fell down the shaft and was killed

  Individal page   

Johnson, Robert, 1918, aged 46, Hewer, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Jones, George H., 24 Nov 1943, (accident: 23 Nov 1943), aged 18, Putter, crushed by tubs

  Individal page   

Keepin, W., 06 Jun 1941, aged 48, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page JG 

Kennedy, William, 06 Apr 1923, aged 71, Shifter, he was found dead on the engine plane, the master shifter had told him to get some tools from the stable and not to go on the engine plane, Kennedy's decision to seek his own pick and shovel cost him his life

  Individal page   

Layburn, Charles A., 15 Dec 1921, aged 23, Set rider, crushed by tubs

  Individal page   

Lyons, Michael Edward, 06 Oct 1908, aged 38, Onsetter, fell on to cage in shaft from surface

  Individal page   

Maddison, John Thomas, 29 Sep 1910, aged 24, Oiler, Caught by Shafting

  Individal page   

McAlister, M., 15 Jul 1881, aged 13, Driver, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Metcalf, James A., 12 May 1926, (accident: 16 Apr 1926), aged 51, Stoneman, through a blow on the head by a piece of stone

  Individal page   

Milburn, Matthew, 17 Apr 1882, aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone from roof

  Individal page   

Owens, James, 19 Feb 1909, aged 31, Hewer, fall of stone at working face

  Individal page   

Pentland, F., 19 Apr 1943, (accident: 30 Mar 1932), aged 43, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Routledge, John, 08 Dec 1898, aged 47, Screener, The deceased was walking past a truck unknown to the waggon-picker, when he was struck on the head by a piece of ironstone, which the latter had thrown out in the course of his duties [Inspection made]

  Individal page   

Shaw, Robert, 21 Aug 1912, aged 38, Hewer, whilst working in a longwall face, a "cauldron" or pot-hole fell out, fatally injuring him; the roof was blue metal, and three props were canted out by the fall

  Individal page NEEMARC 

Simpson, Thomas, 11 Mar 1916, (accident: 03 Mar 1903), aged 34, Hewer, died from pneumonia in a hospital in France, it was alleged that the pneumonia resulted from injuries received when his piece of stone flew from his pick and injured his eye

  Individal page JG 

Steele, William, 19 Jul 1923, aged 55, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Stewart, Thomas, 13 May 1898, aged 15, Attending drop staple bottom, When in the act of pushing a full tub out of the cage at the staple bottom, he, for some reason unknown was attempting improperly, and contrary to rules, to follow it through the cage, when the latter moved away, and he was crushed against the woodwork at the top. There was a road round at the bottom to be used in case of need [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Tennant, Robert, 12 Nov 1900, Deputy, died suddenly in the lamp room ; it was alleged that his death was the result of an accident which he sustained a week before, but the medical testimony attributed his death to syncope

  Individal page   

Whinham, T., 13 May 1932, aged 45, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Wilkinson, T., 20 Mar 1941, aged 20, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Wilson, John, 10 Jun 1922, (accident: 01 Mar 1922), aged 22, Hand Putter, died from injuries received

  Individal page   

Wilson, William, 10 Feb 1896, aged 34, Hewer, Explosion of gas, owing to the men going into the place, one with a safety lamp and the other with a naked light [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...]

 
  33 names found

If you know of any fatalities missing from the above list then please contact us with the details and we will add them to our database.

Those names marked with image, have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the image symbol next to the name to see the web page.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been kindly provided by Jim Grainger from his research into early newspapers (primarily the Durham Advertiser and Durham Chronicle) and are marked with image.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been extracted from material deposited at the North East England Mining Archive and Research Centre (NEEMARC) — principally the records of the Durham Miners' Association and are marked with image.

More information  more information on some of the fatalities shown above


  Local Collieries Summary Description Disasters Names Credits  

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

Colliery Map  a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Axwell Park Colliery

Nearby Collieries  list of collieries/pits etc. near to Axwell Park Colliery


  Credits Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries  

Credits

Sources:

  • NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/1/6/43, D.M.A. Minutes, Circulars etc. for 1918 (two volumes: covers Jan-Jun, Jul-Dec)
  • 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Newcastle-on-Tyne District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1880 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241)
  • 1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241), Newcastle District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1882 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3621) Where to find this report
  • 1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1890 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1893 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7339), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1894 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1896 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, also available online at Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd
  • 1896 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8450), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1899 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 134), Newcastle District (No. 3) by John L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1900 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1900 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 536), Newcastle District (No. 3) by John L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1901 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1062), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1902 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1905 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1905 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2910), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1908 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4672), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1909 List of Mines - from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
  • 1909 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5177), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1910 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1910 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5676), Newcastle District (No. 2) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1912 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6983), Newcastle District (No. 2) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1915 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1919 List of Mines - from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
  • 1921 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1925 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1930 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1933 Mines Inspectors Report
  • 1935 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1940 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory published by Louis Cassier Co. Ltd.
  • 1945 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1950 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • Banners of the Durham Coalfield, Norman Emery, 1998, Sutton Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-7509-1708-3
  • Contributions by members of the Public
  • Headstone(s) in St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Whickham
  • History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan. Second edition published in 1894.
  • Mineral Statistics for 1883 - Government report from the Mines Department (C 4058), published in 1884 — includes List of Mines and Mineral Works
  • Victoria History of the Counties of England – Durham. Published in three volumes in 1907.

  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Related Links:

On this site
Newspaper articles Newspaper articles

Further Research:

Goto Research Notes  Research Notes for Axwell Park Colliery

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