Houghton Colliery

1823 - Began to sink Houghton Colliery, belonging to the earl of Durham, 29 April ; finished sump below the Hutton Seam in April, 1827.

1838, Apr - Houghton Colliery "laid in"

1849, Dec - Houghton Colliery recommenced working after standing idle twelve years.

1853 - A new pit was started at Houghton Colliery to act as a furnace upcast shaft.

1900 - Hutton seam abandoned - coal exhausted

1936 - Rainton Meadows Colliery, the shaft of which is to be reopened, is one of the old Londonderry group. The shaft is now connected by an underground drift with Houghton Colliery, and the purpose of reopening is to enable men working at Houghton to ride at Meadows and thus save time in getting to their working places, as Meadows coal is now being raised from Houghton Pit.

1960 - Meadows shaft of Houghton Colliery closed

Adamson, George, 28 Sep 1866, Sinker, stone falling in sinking pit

Ainsley, Walter, 10 Nov 1947, aged 32, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Allan, Benjamin, 22 Feb 1910, aged 30, Putter, A lad attending a door at the inbye end of a landing had heard a cracking sound, and he reported to the deputy. The deputy told two putters near to drive on through the door, which they did. One of the putters returned, and along with the deputy was looking at the roof when a stone 9 feet long by 3½ feet wide by 5 feet at the thickest part broke over a balk and fell right on to him. The putter was killed and the deputy injured. The top stone seemed sound and the balks were only 5 feet apart. After the accident additional balks were put in to reduce the distance apart to one half

Allen, William, 17 Feb 1919, (accident: 14 Feb 1919), aged 15, Driver, he was helping to work a winch, when it suddenlyy reversed owing to the engine being started, the handle struck him in the stomach, inflicting injuries which caused his death

Almond, Charles, 19 Nov 1888, (accident: 10 Nov 1888), aged 50, Hewer, serious injury to spine and legs by a fall of stone, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 21 Nov 1888

Anderson, Henry, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 11, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of William and John, residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 12 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Anderson, James, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 42, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), left a wife and 4 children, residence: Philadelphia, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Anderson, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of William and Henry, residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 12 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Anderson, William, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of John and Henry, residence: Houghton Le Spring [More information ...]

Ashman, Fredrick, 14 Feb 1902, aged 28, Hewer, he was standing on the pit heap, ready to go down the pit, when he fell down and died from heart disease, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 17 Feb 1902

Atkinson, Thomas, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 16, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Beaney, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Bell, John, 05 Aug 1864, aged 54, Shaftman, crushed by cage at shaft bottom [More information ...]

Bell, Robert, 04 Sep 1891, committed suicide by jumping down the shaft, a distance of 720 feet

Bennett, William, 21 Dec 1928, aged 26, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Bergin, Joseph, 27 Jan 1887, aged 48, Hewer, had received an injury to his foot, bur afterwards died from pneumonia, the result of a cold

Betteridge, James, 30 Jun 1936, (accident: 17 May 1936), aged 30, Filler, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Bewley, William, 04 Aug 1936, aged 21, Pony Putter, as he was attempting to lift a full tub back on the way he felt something crack and the pain brought him to his knees; he died in Sunderland Royal Infirmary the following day; the pathologist said death was due to heart failure and that it was possible that a strain might have accelerated death [date of inquest]

Blake, Charles, 06 Apr 1904, aged 30, Hewer, he was hewing in a place loose at both sides, and when hewing disclosed a slip, and as there was running at right angles to it with partings like glass, a large fall took place and swamped the timber out and killed him, Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Blake, William Charles, 23 Nov 1921, aged 55, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Bolam, John, 22 May 1907, (accident: 30 Apr 1907), aged 56, Hewer, he was hewing under the top coal, which was spragged, in the Main Coal Seam, when a piece came away from a slip; it knocked him down and crushed him; he died on 22nd May in the Infirmary [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 24 May 1907]

Bradley, Thomas, 01 Sep 1828, aged 28, killed in the 1828 explosion, of Houghton [More information ...]

Bray, Edward, 20 Jan 1913, aged 16, Driver, deceased was driving out with the last two tubs, sitting on the limbers, when his head was crushed between the first tub and a prop 3½ inches from it, residence: 45 Edwin Street, Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 21 Jan 1913 pg 4 col 2], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 24 Jan 1913

Briggs, Robert, 20 Apr 1884, aged 39, Bank Inspector, crushed between two waggons on branches, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 28 Apr 1884

Brown, Abel, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 19, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Brown, William, 26 Nov 1864, aged 27, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Bullock, William, 05 Sep 1872, aged 13, Driver, knocked down and crushed by a horse, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 07 Sep 1872

Burke, Michael, 04 Apr 1900, (accident: 20 Feb 1900), aged 62, Wasteman, died today from alleged injuries received on March 20th last; post-mortem examination, however, showed death was due to natural causes

Burrell, Joseph, 18 Nov 1898, aged 35, Timber Drawer, he was drawing timber in a "bord," when the stone came away and caught him on the head, killing him instantly [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 18 Nov 1898 pg 4]

Button, William, 23 Aug 1939, aged 54, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Campbell, Gowan Parkin, 06 Mar 1884, aged 14, Trapper, crushed between wall and door by a passing set of tubs, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 10 Mar 1884

Chesterton, Frederick, 16 Jan 1915, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 16 Jan 1915 pg 4 col 2; inquest - 19 Jan 1915 pg 6 col 7]

Cooper, Sidney, 23 Nov 1915, aged 21, Weighman, he was accidentally shot through the lungs by a bullet from a loaded pistol, which was in the possession of a youth called John Foster

Coulson, E. G., 15 Dec 1942, (accident: 14 Oct 1942), aged 30, Cutter, caught with cage

Cowey, Robert, 20 Jun 1938, aged 42, Buried: St. Cuthberts Churchyard, East Rainton

Cowie, Nicholas, 14 Jul 1896, aged 57, Stoneman, he was drawing timber when the top stone about 14 inches thick fell away, and knocked four baulks out and killed him, residence: Bowling Street, Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 15 Jul 1896 pg 3 col 1; inquest - 17 Jul 1896 pg 3 col 1], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Crombie, Edward, 06 Feb 1854, aged 59, he was run over by several coal waggons, he had been walking on the line and failed to get out of the way as the waggons overtook him

Crome, John Pugh, 13 Aug 1894, 10:15 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 14, Driver, Fall of stone from roof, as he was taking an empty set of tubs into station, caused by some timber being displaced, which caught and killed him instantly [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 23 Aug 1894 pg 4], Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Cummings, William, 10 Nov 1888, aged 18, Putter, reported to have died from the effects of a sprain while at work ; but a post mortem showed that he died from natural causes, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 13 Nov 1888

Curry, John, 17 Sep 1903, aged 63, Wasteman, died from syncope while following his employment

Dagg, William, 21 Jul 1902, aged 54, Wasteman, when clearing stone out of a return, to make more height, a large stone fell off the side, at a slip, and killed him

Dawson, Edward, 20 Dec 1849, aged 25, Banksman, he had been taking full tubs away from the shaft mouth and sending empty ones down, when he fell down the shaft with a tub; it was thought that he had mistaken the entrance to the shaft as being part of the side; he was discovered lying on the buntings 110 fathoms from the surface [Inquest date]

Dawson, John, 27 Apr 1916, (accident: 25 Apr 1916), aged 65, he was injured while helping up a pony which had slipped and fallen; he was jammed between the pony's back and the roof, but after the accident he continued to work. Two days later he collapsed on the floor of the cage as it was ascending. When the cage reached the top, he was laid on the flat sheets ; he gave a heavy sigh and died. The cause of death was "laceration of the cerebellum accompanied by haemorrhage from one of the veins which supplied that part, and that laceration was caused by the accident"

Dixon, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 19, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Dixon, John, 02 Jun 1913, aged 29, Hewer, the deceased were taking out a pillar in a 4-foot seam and were engaged in kirving in the coal when both coal and stone above it came away for a length of 13 feet and fell upon them, killing them on the spot; they had undercut beyond a "breaker" which liberated the fall, and apparently had not set sufficient sprags to the face, which was overhanging at the start [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 02 Jun 1913 pg 6 col 2; inquest - 04 Jun 1913 pg 3 col 3], Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle [More information ...]

Dixon, Joseph, 28 Feb 1944, aged 57, Rolleyway Man, crushed by tub

Dixon, Robert Hunter, 11 May 1937, aged 56, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Dixon, Thomas, 29 Oct 1872, aged 13, Door Keeper, crushed by tubs on engine plane, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 01 Nov 1872

Dockerty, Michael, 04 Apr 1901, aged 63, Hewer, While in the act of kirving, the top coal fell upon and crushed him to death. He had neglected to set sprags. [More information ...]

Duke, Henry, 10 Mar 1865, aged 46, Deputy, fall of stone when drawing a jud

Dyson, Henry, 15 Mar 1907, (accident: 07 Mar 1907), aged 45, Truckman, caught by the apparatus tub and killed [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 18 Mar 1907], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Edmondson, William, 14 Apr 1911, aged 31, Blacksmith, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 15 Apr 1911 pg 3 col 5; inquest - 18 Apr 1911 pg 3 col 2] [More information ...]

Elliott, Thomas, 20 Aug 1850, aged 23, crushed to death by a stone 9 feet long, 6 feet broad and a foot thick

Elliott, William, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Embleton, Charles, 16 Jul 1928, aged 61, Pumpman, he collapsed and died in the pit while operating a hand pump, other miners tried artificial respiration for two hours until the doctor arrived; death was due to heart disease

Enright, S., 15 Apr 1947, aged 28, Stoneman

Fairley, Edward, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of William, residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Fairley, Ralph, 06 May 1867, aged 19, Putter, crushed by engine set of tubs, by trying to leap upon it when going at full speed

Fairley, William, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of Edward, residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Fenwick, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 22, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 14 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Fenwick, William, 18 Jan 1889, aged 53, Hewer, fall of roof from a slip in a broken jud, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 21 Jan 1889

Ferguson, John, 03 Feb 1866, Sinker, falling of a bursted pump

Ferguson, John R., 23 Nov 1917, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 23 Nov 1917 pg 6 col 5]

Ferguson, Matthew R., 02 Jun 1893, 3:45 p.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 13, Door Keeper, Crushed while attempting to get on an engine set of tubs, contrary to orders., Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Fish, James William, 05 Jul 1936, aged 44, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Flannery, John, 04 Jan 1876, aged 19, Collier, crushed by tubs while jumping off engine run

Fletcher, Thomas W., Mar 1918, (accident: 29 Jun 1917), aged 58, he was laying pipes in the Five Quarter Seam when a large stone fell from the roof and fractured his spine. He was taken to Sunderland Infirmary then sent home on 8th July, he died in March 1918. At the inquest held on 12th March the jury returned a verdict of "death due to blood poisoning, which was directly due to the injuries received"

Foley, James, 15 Apr 1919, (accident: 25 Feb 1909), aged 69, Hewer, medical evidence showed that he died from senile changes, accelerated by an accident in which he was injured in 1909 by a fall of stone

Forster, Robert, 06 Apr 1875, aged 62, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 09 Apr 1875

Fox, Edward, 07 Jan 1854, aged 11, he had finished his work on Saturday, 7 January, but instead of going home .he remained in the pit and 'amused himself with riding on the coal tubs,' as the tubs passed along the roadway, his head was jammed between the roof timber and a tub, causing him to fall off, and then he was crushed to death by another tub which ran over him

Gardiner, George, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 13, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of Samuel, residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 12 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Gardiner, Samuel, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of George, residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 12 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Gaunt, W., 04 May 1934, (accident: 16 Apr 1934), aged 56, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Gibson, William Henry, 23 Aug 1928, aged 57, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Cuthberts Churchyard, East Rainton

Gordon, Roland, 21 Apr 1942, aged 18, Datal, caught by tubs, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Green, William, 22 Jun 1900, aged 66, Wasteman, fell down a staple from the Five-Quarter to the Main Coal Seam, a distance of 70 feet, and was killed [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 22 Jun 1900 pg 3] [More information ...]

Green, William, 06 Mar 1913, aged 33, Hewer, deceased was filling a tub when a small piece of ramble fell and scratched his hand; blood poisoning set in, causing his death seven weeks later

Guy, Thomas, 08 Jan 1913, aged 30, Hewer, deceased was hewing alone in a 5 yards wide bord, in a seam 5 feet thick; the seam was overlaid by a thin bed of ramble, and hard stone above that; he was kirving in the bottom when a piece of stone, shaped like an inverted saucer, fell on to him and broke his neck; the stone was 3 feet in diameter and 9 inches thick in the centre; the place was well timbered, residence: 3 William Street, Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 09 Jan 1913 pg 4 col 4], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 11 Jan 1913

Haggot, John, 16 Oct 1906, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 16 Oct 1906 pg 6]

Hall, Michael, 30 Sep 1872, aged 14, Driver, killed by a fall of stone, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 03 Oct 1872

Hamflett, Edward, 14 Jun 1889, aged 33, Deputy, fall of stone while drawing out a broken jud

Hardie, W., 08 Aug 1934, aged 45, Deputy, explosion

Harland, John W., 26 May 1888, (accident: 22 May 1888), aged 23, Hewer, fall of stone in a broken jud while he was attempting to put in some props and a crown tree, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 29 May 1888

Harris, Joseph, 04 Oct 1892, 9:30 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 42, Hewer, fall of stone while working in a broken jud [More information ...]

Harrison, Thomas, 03 Sep 1869, aged 64, Shifter, crushed by set on engine plane

Hedley, John, 27 Jan 1873, aged 36, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 29 Jan 1873

Henderson, Ralph, 25 Aug 1898, (accident: 23 Aug 1898), aged 45, Deputy, he was in the act of getting into the cage when the rapperman signalled "one" for the cage to be lowered, the cage then dropped away and crushed him between the cage and settle boards [More information ...]

Higgins, Richard, 22 Jun 1858, aged 14, Horse Driver, crushed by tubs in underground engine plane

Hills, John William, 18 Dec 1918, aged 43, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone in the Maudlin Seam

Hissett, John Thomas, 23 Jan 1900, (accident: 20 Jan 1900), aged 23, Hewer, Nicking coal when it fell away on to him and fractured two ribs and bruised his head and face. Died on 23rd instant., Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Hissett, Solomon, 15 Oct 1877, aged 52, Collier, severely crushed about shoulders and chest by fall of coal while kirving, he had neglected to sprag his jud after having nicked it, contrary to the 14th Special Rule, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 17 Oct 1877

Hissett, William, 16 Nov 1891, 9:00 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 12, Driver, a heavy fall of stone took place in a station, breaking down the timbers and burying both him and a horse (recorded in Inspectors Report as 'William Hassett') [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 17 Nov 1891 pg 3 col 1, inquest - 19 Nov 1891 pg 3 col 1], Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Hodgson, James, 07 Mar 1884, (accident: 31 Dec 1883), aged 21, Hewer, died from injuries received to his head; while crossing engine plane the rope caught him

Hodgson, Richard, 16 Dec 1862, aged 44, Hewer, fall of stone while working in a broken jud

Hollis, John, 10 Oct 1935, aged 56, his son (William) was killed 10 years later at Meadows Colliery, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Hollis, William, 28 Apr 1902, aged 14, Driver, he was sitting on the limbers driving a set of full tubs, when the first tub, owing to there being a small piece of stone on the rail, up-ended and crushed him internally, died the following day, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 03 May 1902

Hollis, William, 09 Apr 1907, aged 52, Hewer, he failed to get into a refuge hole and was caught by a set on the engine plane, residence: Sunderland Street, Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 09 Apr 1907], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 13 Apr 1907 [More information ...]

Hollis, William, 11 Dec 1945, aged 37, his father (John) was killed 10 years earlier at Houghton Colliery, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Hope, John (Jack), 07 Nov 1952, aged 46, Haulage Operator, his head was jammed between tubs and roof in landing, nobody else present at time of accident

Hudson, George, 28 Nov 1872, aged 23, Onsetter, tub wheel fell down the pit and struck him, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 01 Dec 1872

Humble, William, 19 Jul 1918, (accident: 11 Jun 1918), aged 30, Coal Cutter, crushed by a fall of stone

Hunter, Thomas, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 43, Overman, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), left a wife and 4 children, residence: Bunker Hill [More information ...]

Husband, Thomas, 03 Feb 1921, aged 53, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Hussey, Thomas, 28 Dec 1904, (accident: 24 Sep 1904), aged 28, Deputy, making a place ready, and it was necessary for him to take some coal off to get the way past some stone that was lying, when a piece of stone fell from a slip and caught him on the back and injured the spinal cord

Jackson, Matthew, 21 Apr 1857, aged 43, he and his partner were at work when a stone almost 6 feet square and 15 inches thick fell suddenly from the roof and crushed him to death, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 22 Apr 1857

James, James, 10 Jan 1899, (accident: 09 Jan 1899), aged 57, Shifter, While working in the main coal seam he complained of feeling ill and soon afterwards became unconscious. He was taken home, and died the following day. A post-mortem examination was made, and it showed that he died from inhaling some noxious gas, such as carbonic acid, and that his heart was in such a state that he would be affected by a smaller quantity than could be detected by the usual examination of the workings [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 19 Jan 1899 pg 4], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Jeff, G., 12 Aug 1918, (accident: 21 Feb 1918), aged 25, Putter, died from injuries received when his spine was fractured by a fall of stone

Jessop, Andrew, 04 May 1882, aged 27, Hewer, fall of stone from slip, coming over several props in a jud

Johnson, Robert, 17 May 1895, 1:00 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 16, Driver, riding on limmers, the first tub got off the way, ended up, and crushed him to death [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 20 May 1895 pg 3]

Jones, Robert, 11 Dec 1908, aged 14, Flatter, he was, unknown to the driver, riding inbye on a driver's set, when some stone fell, together with some timber, and pinned his head on the edge of the tub; he had no right to be in the tub [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 11 Dec 1908]

Kaghan, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of Thomas, residence: Newbottle [More information ...]

Kaghan, Thomas, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), brother of John, residence: Newbottle [More information ...]

Kavanagh, Pat, 16 Mar 1923, aged 19, Putter, crushed

Kelty, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 22, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Cross Row [More information ...]

Laing, John, 23 Dec 1897, aged 16, Shaft Siding Lad, Killed while following his employment at upcast shaft siding by a fall of stone from the roof [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 24 Dec 1897 pg 3]

Langley, Lancelot, 15 Mar 1915, (accident: 12 Mar 1915), aged 14, Driver, died as a result of injuries received when he was caught between a tub and a prop

Lax, Nicholas, 18 Sep 1854, (accident: 02 Sep 1854), aged 11, Trapper, he got on the last tub of a set to ride. One of the wheels broke and he was thrown off and crushed severely about his chest. He was taken home and died there on the 18th

Leslie, James, 24 Feb 1921, (accident: 10 Oct 1920), aged 18, Putter, kicked by pony

Leyburn, John, 20 Nov 1852, (accident: 19 Nov 1852), aged 24, he was knocked down and killed by a laden coal tub 'which had run violently from the top of the apparatus by reason of the chain having broken', both his legs were broken, and he died at home the next day

Lourie, John, 24 Apr 1929, (accident: 02 Apr 1929), aged 55, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Maxwell, Robert, 10 Jun 1880, aged 20, Putter, crushed by the empty engine set while coming outbye

McGuiness, Thomas, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 13, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle [More information ...]

McNamara, John, 05 Dec 1871, aged 63, Wasteman, crushed by tubs

Metters, Frederick, 30 Oct 1934, aged 46, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Metters, Joseph, 16 Apr 1888, (accident: 13 Apr 1888), aged 16, Driver, broken leg by jumping off a set of tubs while in motion; he was riding on the set contrary to the rules

Moody, Thomas, 14 Jan 1896, aged 56, Master Wasteman, caught by set as it was running into a landing and killed instantly, residence: Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 14 Jan 1896 pg 3; inquest - 16 Jan 1896 pg 3], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 17 Jan 1896 [More information ...]

Moore, Robert, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 16, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Success Row [More information ...]

Moore, William Gardner, 19 Jul 1928, aged 37, Banksman, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Moorhead, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Houghton Le Spring [More information ...]

Moran, Thomas E., 13 Jan 1893, 12:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 13, Driver, Tub got off the way at a curve, and crushed his head against a prop.

Mossom?, Thomas, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Success Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Mugridge, R. J., 29 Jul 1918, aged 17, Landing Lad, killed by a fall of stone

Napier, John, 02 Jun 1913, aged 34, Hewer, the deceased were taking out a pillar in a 4-foot seam and were engaged in kirving in the coal when both coal and stone above it came away for a length of 13 feet and fell upon them, killing them on the spot; they had undercut beyond a "breaker" which liberated the fall, and apparently had not set sufficient sprags to the face, which was overhanging at the start [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 02 Jun 1913 pg 6 col 2; inquest - 04 Jun 1913 pg 3 col 3], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Navin, T., 25 Apr 1934, (accident: 09 Dec 1933), aged 33, Driller, died from injuries received

Neen, William, 20 Feb 1920, aged 49, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Newton, Richard, 20 Jan 1869, aged 15, Putter, head crushed between roof and top of tub, residence: The Terrace, Pottery Yard, Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 23 Jan 1869

Orton, Robert William, 30 May 1923, aged 51, Labourer, crushed, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

O'Shaughnessy, Jonathan Robert, 07 Jun 1951, aged 30, Cutter, killed in the Low Main Seam, his father (John) was killed at Silksworth Colliery in 1933

O'Shaughnessy, Samuel, 18 Nov 1947, aged 46, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

Osmond, Alfred George Harold, 07 Mar 1910, aged 15, Driver, He was waiting for the putter to bring him a full tub, and when the putter approached went forward to meet him at a point where the road dipped outbye at the rate of about 1 in. per yard. As the putter could not hold the full tub back without using dregs or without assistance, the driver put his back against the front of the tub while the putter held on behind. The tub had to pass under a top coal canch with only 2½ inches clearance, and the driver failed to lower his head, and his skull was crushed. This accident should not have occurred [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 09 Mar 1910 pg 6 col 6] [More information ...]

Paterson, Thomas, 29 May 1867, aged 20, Branch Driver, run over by waggons on branches

Pearson, William, 19 Nov 1877, aged 54, Shiftman, fall of large stone from the side of the engine plane, he was examining a pump standing by the side of the way when the stone, which fell off from a parting, fell on to him

Pickering, Ray, 20 Oct 1964, aged 18, Set lad, caught between ventilation door and set, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

Purvis, Robert, 02 Feb 1923, (accident: 29 Jan 1923), aged 60, Hewer, died from injuries received

Race, Benjamin Allen, 27 Jan 1940, (accident: 23 Jan 1940), aged 25, Landing Man, crushed by tubs, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Raine, -, 02 Jun 1899, aged 5, [Not Employed], He was under a set of waggons, and when the locomotive engine moved them he attempted to get out and was run over and killed.

Richardson, J., 23 Jan 1933, (accident: 19 Nov 1925), aged 75, Screens, struck in eye

Ridley, Richard, 10 Jun 1895, [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 10 Jun 1895 pg 3] [date of report]

Riley, Patrick, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 13, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle [More information ...]

Robinson, Robert, 30 Sep 1863, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Robson, John, 05 Apr 1870, aged 63, Hewer, jumping into tubs whilst in motion on engine plane

Robson, Thomas, 24 Oct 1921, (accident: 28 Jul 1921), aged 60, Mason's Labourer, received an injury to his head through hitting his head with an iron girder

Rogers, William, 29 Aug 1863, aged 8, [Not Employed], jammed between surface waggons

Rogerson, Robert, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Del? Pit [More information ...]

Roxby, Edward, 06 Apr 1899, aged 24, Hewer, While working in the face of his place a fall of stone from the roof took place and killed him., Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Rundle, George G., 13 Nov 1923, (accident: 08 Nov 1923), aged 35, Labourer, died through injuries received by being struck on the arm with a broken chain

Scott, James, 27 Oct 1932, (accident: 17 Oct 1932), aged 45, Hewer, fall of coal, died from injuries received, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Sheville, John, 25 Feb 1867, aged 70, Shifter, crushed by set of tubs in engine plane

Short, James A., 26 Mar 1942, aged 33, Sinker

Simon, Thomas, 16 Sep 1889, (accident: 02 Sep 1889), aged 53, Hewer, broken thigh by a fall of stone in a broken jud

Simpson, Christopher, 12 Mar 1881, aged 54, Deputy, fall of stone while he was engaged laying a turn in a broken jud, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 14 Mar 1881

Simpson, Ralph, 23 Aug 1884, aged 54, Deputy, supposed to have fallen on to his saw, the point of which ran into his thigh, and he bled to death, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 26 Aug 1884

Small, Charles, 05 Sep 1882, aged 47, Hewer, fall of stone while working in a broken jud

Smith, Ernest Edward, 05 Nov 1905, aged 19, Beeswing Tub Attendant, he was caught between the side of the drum and the shaft carriage while taking "beeswing" chain off, and received injuries from which he died the same day [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 07 Nov 1905 pg 4], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Smith, George, 01 Sep 1828, aged 32, killed in the 1828 explosion, of Houghton [More information ...]

Smith, George, 10 Sep 1899, (accident: 08 Sep 1899), aged 38, Onsetter, Crushed between coal tub and cage. He was putting a full tub into the cage, when another full tub ran down and crushed him. Died on the 10th inst., residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 13 Sep 1899

Smith, George, 23 Sep 1925, aged 15, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Smith, John William, 21 Nov 1904, aged 44, Shaftsman, he was assisting at starting a new haulage road when the tail rope which was a little slack sprung across the road, when the set was started and caught him [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 25 Nov 1904 pg 3], Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Smith, John William, 27 Sep 1934, aged 36, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Smith, Thomas William, 06 Mar 1903, (accident: 03 Mar 1903), aged 13, Stable Boy, lower part of body crushed between a tub, which got off the way, and a wall

Smith, William, 10 Sep 1891, 8:45 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 28, Hewer, fall of stone and coal which came off at a fault slip without warning, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 12 Sep 1891

Spear, Thomas, 26 May 1908, aged 21, Labourer, It is not known precisely how this accident occurred. The man had gone up on to a scaffold, or landing, to adjust a chain which is worked off the main shaft of the winding engine and used for pulling tubs up a short inclined gangway on to the pit heap. The place was well fenced, and the man knew his work. It appears to be fairly clear that he must have slipped and got his arm over the drum on the winding engine shaft, and in this way been caught by the chain which lapped around him, He was not wearing a coat at the time, and there was nothing in the chain itself which could catch him. The arrangement was an antiquated one, and has been done away with [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 28 May 1908], Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Stafford, Thomas, 22 Dec 1925, aged 14, Driver, caught between a tub and baulk

Stothard, Thomas, 27 Mar 1915, (accident: 02 Feb 1912), aged 65, Wasteman, died from heart failure, it was alleged that death was due to injuries received by a fall of stone

Straughan, F., 19 Aug 1889, (accident: 03 Aug 1889), aged 18, Putter, fall of stone crushing his fingers while on tub top

Tait, John, 08 Mar 1924, (accident: 08 Jun 1923), aged 52, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

Taylor, John, 21 Sep 1920, (accident: 07 Sep 1920), aged 29, Hewer, rupture of an abscess (cerebral) in the right temporal region accidentally caused by a blow on the head from the handle of a drilling machine whilst following his employment [Inquest: 23 Sep 1920]

Thompson, John, 09 Mar 1874, aged 49, Shaftman, fell down a staple into water and was drowned, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 12 Mar 1874

Thornton, John, 25 Apr 1867, aged 46, Hewer, fall of coal while kirving

Tone, Richard, 08 Nov 1920, aged 34, killed by a fall of stone on his first shift back after a strike, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Turnbull, David, 26 Jan 1926, (accident: 25 Jan 1926), aged 67, Hewer, found unconscious - never regained consciousness

Turton, Nicholas, 04 Jan 1951, left a wife and nine children, address: Shakespeare Street, Houghton-le-Spring

Turton, William Stanley, 21 Mar 1930, (accident: 20 Mar 1930), aged 24, Banksman, crushed by iron girder, Buried: Houghton Cemetery

Walker, Frank Foster, 18 Jan 1935, aged 26, Rolleyway Man, killed by a fall of stone

Walker, William, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Wardle, Christopher Robinson, 10 Feb 1892, (accident: 09 Sep 1891, 11:00 p.m., 4th hour of shift), aged 40, Master Shifter, died from the effects of severe injuries to his back by a fall of coal on the 9th September last, residence: Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 15 Feb 1892 pg 4 col 5], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 13 Feb 1892

Warner, William, 29 Oct 1864, aged 20, Shifter, prop falling from top of pit [More information ...]

Watchman, John, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 25, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Houghton Le Spring, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Watson, George, 11 Nov 1850, 7:00 a.m., aged 12, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Newbottle, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 13 Nov 1850 [More information ...]

Wetherall, G. C., 11 Feb 1946, aged 39, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

White, John, 11 Oct 1877, aged 23, Engineman, run over by tubs on an engine plane, by tubs being pulled off the rails

White, John Thomas, 14 Jan 1919, (accident: 10 Jan 1919), aged 19, Putter, died at Sunderland Infirmary after being injured at the pit

Whittaker, William, 30 Jul 1909, aged 15, Belt boy, He was sent from one belt to another in the same house to get two shovels. He could only get one. He then went down off the belt to the sidings below, presumably to borrow the truckman's shovel. He was run over by empty waggons which the truckman was bringing in to be filled. The truckman saw him stumble in front of the waggons but he was not able to prevent them running over him

Wick, Thomas Henry, 15 May 1903, aged 33, Deputy, he was setting timber, when a large quantity of small stone canted the timber out and fell upon and suffocated him, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring

Wildblood, Joseph, 30 Jan 1890, aged 14, Driver, fall of stone in consequence of timber being drawn, residence: Houghton-le-Spring [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 02 Feb 1890 pg 3 col 3], Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 03 Feb 1890

Wilkin, John, 01 Sep 1828, aged 24, killed in the 1828 explosion, of Philadelphia [More information ...]

Wilkinson, George, 25 Mar 1881, aged 61, Wasteman, fall of a pillar while enlarging an airway, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 28 Mar 1881

Wilkinson, Nicholas, 10 Nov 1864, aged 34, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Wilkinson, Thomas, 16 Dec 1858, aged 14, Coupler, crushed by return sheave in engine plane, residence: Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: Hillside Cemetery, Houghton-le-Spring, on 19 Dec 1858

Williams, John, 02 Jun 1894, 1:00 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 42, Timber Drawer, sudden fall of stone while drawing timber out of a broken jud [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 04 Jun 1894 pg 3; inquest - 05 Jun 1894 pg 3], Buried: Houghton Cemetery [More information ...]

Wilson, John, 22 Nov 1880, aged 18, Labourer, scalded in hot water drift under boilers; he went in for some tools during repairs and a boiler was unplugged at the time; the boiler minder had been told 10 minutes before that the masons were going into the drift; he was committed for manslaughter

Wood, John Henry, 28 Sep 1908, aged 39, Hewer, The men were waiting to ride up the pit and the top deck of the cage had been loaded and the onsetter had rapped for the bottom deck, when someone raised a panic amongst the men waiting to ride, and those already in the cage, by shouting out that the set was amain. Wood tried to get out of the cage, but, as he did so, it was lifted and he was caught between it and the shaft framing, Buried: Churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, West Rainton

Wooler, William, 25 Nov 1864, was killed by a fall of stone; he had only been married about 3 months

Wright, John Lowther, 02 Sep 1910, (accident: 22 Jun 1910), aged 66, Labourer, He was working near the belts, and when in a stooping position, shovelling some stones, he was accidentally struck on the temple by a stone thrown by a screener. After his wound was dressed he completed his shift and worked the following two weeks but gradually grew worse, and owing to his having to be kept on his back developed hypostatic congestion of the lungs. He died on September 2nd, the primary cause of death being debility produced by the accident

Wrightson, Thomas, 27 Feb 1912, aged 31, Hewer, he was engaged with his marrow in driving a road alongside an old working; a large stone rolled from an old bord, and knocking a prop out, caused a stone to fall from a hitch which the prop was supporting; the stone struck deceased on the head, killing him instantly; his marrow described the place as very pleasant to work in, Buried: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Newbottle

Wrightson, William, 29 Feb 1916, aged 40, Hewer, he was seriously injured while working in the Main Coal Seam, he was taken to Sunderland Infirmary where he died on 29th February. In 1912, his brother Thomas, was killed in similar circumstances at the same colliery [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 29 Feb 1916 pg 5 col 6; inquest - 01 Mar 1916 pg 4 col 7]

Young, Robert, 19 Sep 1907, aged 26, Hewer, he was casting coals to the tub, when a triangular piece of stone came away at a slippery parting and at a hitch leader, canting out six props; the stone fell on to the hewer and killed him [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 04 Oct 1907], Buried: Churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, West Rainton