	Altham Colliery	Index	Altham Colliery

Altham Colliery

Location:	Moorfield, nr. Accrington 17½ miles [28 km] W of Bradford
Map Ref:	(Sheet 103 Blackburn and Burnley) SD758313, 53° 46' 38" N, 2° 22' 2" W
Opened:
Closed:
Pits:	Moorside Pit
Owners:	Altham Colliery Co. (G. W. McAlpine)
	Altham Colliery Co., Ltd.
	Hargreaves Collieries Ltd.
	1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output:	1894 - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1896 - Moorfield - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1900 - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1905 - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1910 - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1915 - Coal: Coking, Household, Manufacturing. Fireclay.
	1947 - Moorfield - Coal: Coking, Household, Industrial. (99,000 tons)
Employment:	1894 - 374 (324 below, 50 surface)
	1896 - Moorfield - 380 (295 below, 85 surface)
	1900 - 678 (552 below, 126 surface)
	1905 - 560 (446 below, 114 surface)
	1910 - 618 (474 below, 144 surface)
	1915 - 595 (454 below, 141 surface)
	1923 - 1,201 (955 below, 246 surface)
	1933 - 980 (730 below, 250 surface)
	1940 - 688 (513 below, 175 surface)
	1947 - Moorfield - 456 (284 below, 172 surface)
	1954 - 0 [Closed except for pumping. Jan. 21, 1949]
Seams Worked:	1894 - Lower Mountain
	1896 - Moorfield - Lower Mountain
	1900 - Lower Mountain
	1905 - Lower Mountain
	1910 - Lower Mountain
	1915 - Lower Mountain
Notes:	Current Status - Page under construction! and is far, far from complete!

Description

Disasters (5 or more killed)

7th

Nov

1883

Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, 68 lives lost (Show Names)

Those entries marked with , signify a disaster for which a memorial has been erected or for which we have images concerning the disaster, alternately their name may be mentioned on a memorial plaque. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the appropriate web page for the memorial.

Names of those killed at this colliery

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

						Almond, Cuthbert, 07 Nov 1883, aged 12, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Almond, George, 22 May 1884, (accident: 1883), aged Boy, Injured in Altham Colliery in 1883, died at the Convalescent Home, Buxton, whilst having teeth extracted under the influence of chloroform. Verdict accordingly. He was running about until about a fortnight previously
						Almond, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 20, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Alston, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 15, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Alston, William, 20 Oct 1899, 11.20 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 47, Dataller, Fall of roof in working place ; after taking out five props, although a pronounced break was seen in the roof, he placed himself under the unsecured area, shovelling stones from a shot
						Ashworth, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 39, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Ashworth, James, 18 Sep 1899, 10.30 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 27, Dataller, Fall of roof from pronounced break in working place whilst repairing ; a few minutes after taking out three props he placed himself under
						Atherton, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 10, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Barnes, Thomas, 04 Apr 1915, aged 16, Drawer, Injured stomach while riding a sled
						Baxter, Joseph, 18 Jan 1904, (accident: 23 Dec 1903, 3 p.m., 8th hour of shift), aged 57, Collier, Whilst riding out on sled was thrown off, slight scar made on left knee, blood poisoning ensued. Died 18th Jan. 1904 (Mountain seam)
						Bentley, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 32, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Berry, James, 03 Aug 1906, (accident: 14 Jul 1906, 7.30 a.m., 1st hour of shift), aged 17, Drawer, Fall of stone from side of drawing road, stone 2 feet 6 inches long, 18 inches wide at the top, tapering to a point ; two drawers preceding deceased had stopped four minutes having heard slight weighting, becoming quiet they passed along ; as deceased went by, this stone fell on his leg, fracturing it. Following amputation, he died on 3rd August
						Blackburn, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 38, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Brindle, Benjamin, 11 Nov 1925, (accident: 03 Nov 1925), aged 38, Collier, Cut hand — sceptic poisoning. Died 11th
						Broadley, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 40, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Broadley, Westwell, 07 Nov 1883, aged 28, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Brown, Waddington Walter, 07 Nov 1883, aged 23, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Clegg, George, 07 Nov 1883, aged 18, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Clegg, Henry William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 19, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Clough, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 27, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Clough, Stephen, 07 Nov 1883, aged 19, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Coles, Walter Henry, 07 Nov 1883, aged 32, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Comling, James Henry, 29 Oct 1929, (accident: 16 Sep 1929), aged 51, Labourer, Hand crushed by tubs. Died 29th Oct
						Crabb, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 40, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Cronshaw, Jackson, 07 Nov 1883, aged 21, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Cronshaw, James, 29 Apr 1868, aged 39, Miner, Roof falling in some old workings near the outcrop in a clough
						Cronshaw, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 27, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Cronshaw, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 25, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Crossley, Henry, 07 Nov 1883, aged 11, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Eddleston, William, 08 Jul 1903, 1.30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 17, Chain Jenny, Crushed between chain and jenny wheel, although forbidden, he placed himself inside the ongoing chain to help another tenter to put the wheel in gear. Notices posted forbidding this and further fencing provided (Mountain seam)
						Edge, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 16, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Edge, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 14, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Garman, William, 08 Oct 1898, aged 35, Banksman, Cut in two by hauling chain running away whilst being lowered down shaft
						Gimm, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 26, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Gordon, -, 07 Nov 1883, aged 30, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Gordon, Samuel, 09 Jun 1904, 8 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 27, Banksman, Crushed by upper deck of cage. Deceased had changed the tubs in the lower deck. As the cage descended he must have slipped on the iron plates so that he came in contact with the cage, which bore him down against the edge of the opening when cage was stopped. Probably stood too near
						Grimshaw, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 20, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Grimshaw, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 26, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Hall, John Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 15, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Hamriding, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 36, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Hartley, Walter, 12 Nov 1909, aged 27, Fireman, In roadway, preparing to make it chain road. Had taken down a long length of roof to increase the height, and this was almost removed. The fireman was passing along, preparing to leave, when a huge stone crashed on to them from the roof, 12 ft. long, 4 ft. wide. There was no indication of slips, it was a strong shale. Although several good men had examined the place, no danger was discovered. (Roof good) (Mountain seam) [More information ...]
						Haworth, James, 24 Oct 1894, aged 31, Collier, Fall of roof in working place from pronounced slips known to be there, utter want of props
						Haworth, Job Whittaker, 07 Nov 1883, aged 11, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Haworth, Robert, 07 Nov 1883, aged 36, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Haworth, Rothwell, 07 Nov 1883, aged 34, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Haworth, William Henry, 07 Nov 1883, aged 32, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Higginson, Thomas, 17 Sep 1895, (accident: 09 Sep 1895), aged 17, Drawer, Alleged to have been injured on 9th by tub. Died on 17th doctor stated from typhoid fever
						Hill, Adam, 02 Jul 1909, aged 23, Dataller, In the working place, whilst building a pack, roof fell 12 ft. long by 5 ft. wide, props had been withdrawn by collier ; they should have been re-set by deceased before commencing to work, large space unsupported. (Roof good) (Mountain seam)
						Hindle, Richard, 09 Jul 1918, aged 52, Dataller, Killed by a fall of roof
						Hollin, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 25, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Hope, David, 16 Oct 1904, aged 58, Fireman, Died from erysipelas and blood poisoning, alleged to have received a blow on the knee, skin not broken, when and how the blow received no evidence
						Hopkinson, Tom, 12 Nov 1909, aged 21, Dataller, In roadway, preparing to make it chain road. Had taken down a long length of roof to increase the height, and this was almost removed. The fireman was passing along, preparing to leave, when a huge stone crashed on to them from the roof, 12 ft. long, 4 ft. wide. There was no indication of slips, it was a strong shale. Although several good men had examined the place, no danger was discovered. (Roof good) (Mountain seam) [More information ...]
						Jones, William Edward, 07 Nov 1883, aged 13, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Leeson, Joseph, 07 Nov 1883, aged 12, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Mackrell, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 21, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Mahon, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 15, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Mahon, Michael, 07 Nov 1883, aged 13, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						McIntosh, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 56, Colliery Manager, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						McIntosh, Thomas Henry, 07 Nov 1883, aged 35, Assistant Fireman, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Metcalf, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 33, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Ormerod, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 41, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Osbalderston, Richard, 07 Nov 1883, aged 12, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Osbalderstoon, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 33, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Perry, Matthew Henry, 07 Nov 1883, aged 17, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Riding, Aaron, 07 Nov 1883, aged 10, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Riley, Robert, 07 Nov 1883, aged 17, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Riley, Robert, 11 Jul 1900, aged 60, Surface Labourer, On July 11th, Robert Riley, 60, surface labourer, employed at Altham Collieries, Accrington, died whilst at work. At the inquest, verdict — died from natural causes [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]
						Rosevere, John, 06 Mar 1902, (accident: 05 Mar 1902, 2 p.m., 8th hour of shift), aged 17, Jenny Tenter, He took hold of the endless chain near to jenny Wheel, and was carried twice round receiving injuries from which he died on the following day
						Rushton, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 27, Fireman, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Rushton, Lawrence, 07 Nov 1883, aged 44, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Rushton, Willam, 07 Nov 1883, aged 14, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Rushton, William, 22 Aug 1925, (accident: 18 Aug 1925), aged 51, Winding engineman, Injury to side while oiling. Died 22nd
						Scholes, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 19, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Shorrock, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 19, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Smith, John Edward, 07 Nov 1883, aged 11, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Smith, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 45, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Tapper, George, 07 Nov 1883, aged 18, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Taylor, James, 07 Nov 1883, aged 35, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Taylor, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 29, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Taylor, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 24, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Taylor, Wilson, 07 Nov 1883, aged 29, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Thornton, Joseph, 07 Nov 1883, aged 24, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Threfall, John, 07 Nov 1883, aged 46, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Threlfall, Robert, 07 Nov 1883, aged 25, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Tillotson, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 28, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Tomlinson, Peter, 07 Nov 1883, aged 19, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Walmesley, James, 25 Apr 1890, aged 60, Labourer, Walmsley killed and Walsh injured. A knot in one of the guy ropes slipped when an iron girder was being raised [More information ...]
						Walsh, Thomas, 07 Nov 1883, aged 27, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Whalley, Albert, 19 Sep 1906, (accident: 08 Sep 1906, 9.30 a.m., 3rd hour of shift), aged 16, Drawer, Whilst pushing an empty waggon, punched the skin off his left big toe. From this slight wound blood poisoning caused death on September 19th
						Whittaker, John, 14 May 1929, aged 14, Coal drawer, Killed by a fall of roof
						Woodhouse, James, 25 Jan 1899, 7 p.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 22, Dataller, Fall of roof in working place at lip of ripping in roadway, five feet from coal face. After knocking out a prop, although roof sounded heavy and two breaks could be seen in it, deceased stooped under to get prop out, when roof fell upon his head
						Yates, Timothy, 07 Nov 1883, aged 29, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]
						Yates, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 46, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, Explosion of gas [More information ...]

						93 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.

For those names marked the text of the Mines Inspectors report into the incident is available online. Click on the icon to display the report.

Those names marked with , were killed in a disaster for which a memorial has been erected or for which we have images concerning the disaster, alternately their name may be mentioned on a memorial plaque. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the appropriate web page for the memorial.

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

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this page have been kindly provided by Ian Winstanley of the Coal Mining History Resource Centre (CMHRC) and are marked with . The CMHRC is available here.

more information on some of the fatalities shown above

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Altham Colliery

list of collieries/pits etc. near to Altham Colliery

Memorial Images:

Memorial: 1883 Altham, Moorfield Pit Colliery Disaster

Credits

Sources:

1868 Mines Inspectors Report, Manchester District by Joseph Dickinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines
1883 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4078), Manchester District by Joseph Dickinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1884 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4429), Manchester District by Joseph Dickinson, 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
1899 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 134), Manchester District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, 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), Manchester District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590), Manchester and Ireland District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Manchester and Ireland District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1904 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2506), Manchester and Ireland District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1905 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Manchester and Ireland District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1909 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5177), Manchester and Ireland District (No. 6) by John Gerrard, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1910 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1915 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1923 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
1933 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
1940 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
1947 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
1954 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
OS Grid Reference from Adit Now website