	East Tanfield Colliery	Index	East Tanfield Colliery

East Tanfield Colliery

Location:

nr. Tantobie
6½ miles [10 km] SW of Newcastle

Map Ref:

(Sheet 88) NZ194552, 54° 53' 28" N, 1° 41' 51" W

Maps:

1860s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey

1898 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide

1928 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide

1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)

Opened:

1844

Closed:

09 Jan 1965

Pits:

Engine Pit, locn: (Sheet 88) NZ194550

Shaft details for Engine Pit

Shaft details for East Tanfield Colliery

Owners:

1844 - James Joicey

1917 - East Tanfield Colliery Co. Ltd

1929 - South Derwent Coal Co. Ltd.

1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)

Output:

1855 - Coal.

1860 - Coal.

1865 - Coal.

1882 - Coal.

1883 - Coal. Fireclay.

1888 - Coal. Fireclay.

1890 - Coal. Fireclay.

1894 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1896 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1900 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1902 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1905 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1910 - Coal: Coking, Gas. Fireclay.

1915 - Coal.

1921 - Coal.

1925 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing.

1930 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1935 - Coal: Coking, Gas.

1940 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Manufacturing, Steam.

1947 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam. (169,000 tons)

1950 - Coal: Coking, Steam.

1955 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.

1960 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.

1961 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.

1964 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.

1965 - Coal: Coking, Manufacturing, Steam.

Employment:

Year	Total	Below	Above
1854	Working
1894	495	353	142
1896	646	466	180
1900	584	440	144
1902	599	499	100
1905	729	583	146
1910	602	501	101
1915	Re-opened
1921	152	128	24
1925	107	76	31
1930	428	355	73
1935	780	628	152
1940	899	704	195
1945	827	686	141
1947	869	704	165
1950	745	602	143
1955	635	501	134
1960	540	430	110
1961	520	430	90
1964	510	430	80
1965	430	364	66

NCB Employment Figures

Colliery Management (prior to 1970)

Seams Worked:

1905 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton

1910 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton

1921 - Beaumont, Hutton, Main Coal, Tilley

1925 - Beaumont, Hutton, Main, Tilley

1930 - Beaumont, Hutton, Main, Tilley

1935 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton, Main, Tilley

1940 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Five Quarter, Hutton, Main Coal, Three Quarter, Victoria

1950 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton, Main, Tilley

1955 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton, Main, Tilley

1960 - Brockwell, Busty, Main Coal, Tilley

1961 - Brockwell, Busty, Tilley

1964 - Brockwell, Busty, Three Quarter, Tilley

1965 - Busty, Tilley

Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for East Tanfield Colliery

Notes:

1844 - East Tanfield Colliery was sunk from the surface to the Busty Seam.

1859 - A bore-hole was put down out of the Busty Bank Seam, East Tanfield Colliery, to prove the Brockwell Seam.

1914 - Beaumont, Brockwell, Busty, Hutton, Main Coal, Tilley seams abandoned

1929, 28 Jan - Beaumont, Hutton, Main, Tilley seams abandoned

1950 - Beaumont seam discontinued

Description

The coal royalties in this parish [Tanfield] are very extensive, and the coal is of excellent quality. These are at present being worked by Messrs. James Joicey and Co., Limited. Their Tanfield Lea colliery is worked by two shafts, 65 and 31 fathoms respectively, and the seams are the Hutton, 10 feet ; the Main coal, 3 feet 6 inches ; the Brass Thill, 5 feet ; and the Five Quarter, 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches. These seams employ in all 670 men and boys, and yield 305,540 tons per annum. Tanfield Moor colliery, with one shaft, 60 fathoms, is working the Brass Thill, 5 feet, and the Five Quarter, from 4 to 4 feet 6 inches. Here the Hutton has just been sunk to, which will considerably increase the output, now representing 131,619 tons, and giving employment to 298 hands. At the East Tanfield colliery two shafts are employed, the Busty and the Brockwell, 64 and 78 fathoms deep respectively. By the former is worked the Busty Bank seam, 5 to 6 feet thick, the Hutton, 7 feet, and the Main Coal, 3 feet 6 inches. The Brockwell seam is from 4 feet 6 inches to 5 feet of coal. The average output from these pits is 170,772 tons a year, which employs 390 men and boys connected with the above. There are 224 coke ovens, and a large fire brick manufactory.

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham

Disasters (5 or more killed)

None Found

Names of those killed at this colliery

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

						Allan, John, 24 Nov 1899, aged 31, Hewer, Deceased was working at the top coal when a fall of coal and roof stone suddenly occurred. The place was timbered up to within three feet of the lip of the coal and no signs of slips were seen previously [Inspection made]
						Anderson, William, 24 Sep 1892, 7:45 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 14, Driver, Driving recklessly down an inclined road, without sprags in the wheels, the limmers caught against a prop, knocking it out, and the roof fell on the deceased [Inspection made & inquest attended], Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Baker, Robert, 24 Mar 1908, aged 16, Driver, pony fell and deceased was thrown from tubs and crushed
						Ball, Thomas, 02 Nov 1906, aged 28, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]
						Bendilow, James, 29 Jul 1904, aged 31, Hewer, Deceased was sitting on his cracket kyrving in the bottom coal of the Brockwell seam in a longwall place when a piece of band stone, 2 feet thick, fell on his left leg, which was badly broken. The fall was 3½ feet long, and came away at one end from a small hitch which crossed the place, and about which deceased had been cautioned by the manager the day before. The leg was amputated the same day, but small-pox broke out, the wound suppurated and gangrene set in. The Local Inspectors reported "it was a pure accident."
						Bertram, Andrew, 09 Nov 1939, aged 30, Onsetter, fell down the shaft
						Bewick/Robson, George, 24 Jun 1890, aged 54, Hewer, fall of stone and coal, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Blackmore, William George, 26 Sep 1935, aged 35, Stoneman, killed during shot-firing operations, address: Dipton
						Bridge, Edward, Apr 1947, killed by an explosion, Buried: Stanley Cemtery
						Brown, Charles, 11 Jan 1887, aged 57, Rolleywayman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Brown, Edward, 10 Feb 1921, aged 26, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Campbell, Alexander, 30 Jul 1906, aged 15, Pony Driver, killed by a fall of roof, Buried: St. James' Churchyard, Burnopfield {NBI} [More information ...]
						Carr, Nicholas Smiles, 08 Nov 1887, aged 24, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal, Buried: St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Churchyard, Stanley
						Chapelhow, E., 19 May 1941, aged 37, Cutter, electrocuted
						Connall, Matthew, 26 Mar 1889, aged 29, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof
						French, F., 14 Nov 1936, (accident: 12 Oct 1936), aged 59, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Gibson, Sidney Henderson, 07 Jun 1910, aged 26, Locomotive Fireman, fell before trucks, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Harrison, William, 20 Jan 1903, aged 22, Hewer, Deceased and another hewer were hewing in a lift in the broken workings of the Busty seam when a large stone, relieved by a joint and micaceous parting, fell from the roof at the fast side upon him. The place had been properly examined by the deputy, and there was an ample supply of loose props near. The Local Inspectors after examining the place reported that in their opinion "it was a pure accident, and no one was to blame."
						Hart, Charles, 10 Mar 1905, aged 52, Hewer [More information ...]
						Horner, George, 02 Apr 1879, aged 38, Hewer, explosion of gunpowder
						Johnson, Robert Edward, 07 Nov 1911, aged 40, Hewer, crushed by tubs
						Mason, John, 21 Jan 1908, aged 32, Hewer, fall of stone at face of longwall, Buried: St. James' Churchyard, Burnopfield {NBI}
						McKenna, J., 11 Jul 1942, aged 52, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Moore, William, 07 Aug 1941, aged 29, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Moses, T., 30 May 1937, (accident: 24 May 1937), aged 50, Filler, killed by a fall of stone
						Neads, James, 14 Jul 1898, aged 32, Hewer, Died from septic blood poisoning caused by a slight wound to the palm of left hand. The accident was not reported to any official, but was afterwards alleged to have been received when at work.
						Robinson, Joseph, 24 Jan 1890, aged 33, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Robson/Bewick, George, 24 Jun 1890, aged 54, Hewer, fall of stone and coal, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Rock, Patrick, 30 Jul 1886, aged 26, Hewer, fall of band stone, Buried: St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Churchyard, Stanley
						Scurr, Robert Hindhaugh, 10 Feb 1934, aged 14, Screener, he got his clothes entangled in the machinery and was drawn in; he sustained severe multiple injuries and he died a few hours after being admitted to Newcastle Infirmary, he had only worked at the pit for six weeks, Buried: Harelaw Cemetery (new) [More information ...]
						Stephens, William, 23 Nov 1894, 11:30 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 43, Deputy, Deceased and another deputy were engaged drawing timber out of an old place, and when the work was nearly finished a fall of roof occurred, canting out some of the remaining props [Inspection made & inquest attended]
						Swinburne, William Alfred, 25 Mar 1926, aged 42, died from injuries received, Buried: Tanfield Cemetery
						Thirlwell, Thomas, 14 Sep 1896, (accident: 31 Aug 1896), aged 24, Hewer, This accident appears to have been very simple, a small stone having fallen from between timbers. It would have been better had he had another prop set. He died September 14, 1896 [Inspection made]
						Thompson, George Alexander, 19 Sep 1940, aged 24, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone
						Walton, Samuel Norman, 24 Oct 1945, aged 30, Buried: Harelaw Cemetery (new)
						Warwick, Thomas Henry, 01 May 1899, aged 16, Wailer, Three empty waggons were lowered with too great a force against three full ones which were standing under the screens, with the result that deceased was knocked off a full waggon and run over by an empty one. The rails were greasy at the time [Inspection made & inquest attended]
						Watson, Charles, 23 Mar 1870, aged 15, Wailer, crushed by apparatus cage
						White, J., 07 Apr 1942, (accident: 06 Apr 1942), aged 49, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone
						Wilson, Anthony, 20 Dec 1940, aged 51, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, address: 10 Langley Terrace, New Kyo [Inquest: 23 Dec 1940]
						Wilson, William, 31 Dec 1947, (accident: 30 Dec 1947), aged 42, Bargain Stoneman, his pick exploded exploded a shot and he suffered severe injuries from which he died the following day
						Woodcock, John, 04 Jan 1872, aged 26, Hewer, walked into shaft

						41 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 , 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.

more information on some of the fatalities shown above

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of East Tanfield Colliery

list of collieries/pits etc. near to East Tanfield Colliery

Credits

Sources:

1854 List of mines by T. Y. Hall, published in Vol II (1853-4) of the Transactions of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers
1870 Mines Inspectors Report (C 456) Where to find this report
1872 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 840), Northumberland, North Durham, and Cumberland District by George William Southern, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1879 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2604) Where to find this report
1880 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241)
1886 Mines Inspectors Report (C 5090) Where to find this report
1887 Mines Inspectors Report (C 5450) Where to find this report
1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1889 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6015), Newcastle District (No. 3) by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1890 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1890 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6346), Newcastle District (No. 3) by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1892 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6986), 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
1894 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7667), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
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
1902 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
1904 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2506), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
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
1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), 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
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
1911 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6237), 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
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
1947 The 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
1950 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
1955 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1960 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1961 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1964 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
1965 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
Banners of the Durham Coalfield, Norman Emery, 1998, Sutton Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-7509-1708-3
Contributions by members of the Public
Durham Miners' Association, Compensation Department, Minutes of Arbitration Committee - January 1920 to December 1921. Vol II. [DMM Ref: L-01629 - Tom Bainbridge Collection]
Headstone(s) in Old Cemetery, Harelaw
Headstone(s) in St. James Churchyard, Burnopfield
Headstone(s) in St. Joseph's (R.C.) Churchyard, Stanley
Headstone(s) in Stanley Cemetery
Headstone(s) in Tanfield Cemetery
History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan. Second edition published in 1894.
Mineral Statistics for 1855 (Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology), compiled by Robert Hunt, F.R.S.
Mineral Statistics for 1860 (Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology), compiled by Robert Hunt, F.R.S.
Mineral Statistics for 1865 (Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology), compiled by Robert Hunt, F.R.S.
Mineral Statistics for 1869 (Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology), compiled by Robert Hunt, F.R.S.
Mineral Statistics for 1883 - Government report from the Mines Department (C 4058), published in 1884 — includes List of Mines and Mineral Works
National Burial Index published by The Federation of Family History Societies & Associates
Victoria History of the Counties of England – Durham. Published in three volumes in 1907.

Further Research:

Research Notes for East Tanfield Colliery

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