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  Mill Pit  Index  Mill Pit  
/ Index \

Mill Pit

also known as Crofton Mill Colliery

(See also Cowpen Colliery)


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Location: Blyth
11½ miles [18 km] NNE of Newcastle
Map Ref: (Sheet 81) NZ316810, 55° 7' 22" N, 1° 30' 13" W
Maps: Map 1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)
Map 1951 map from the Guide to the Coalfields (Colliery Guardian)
Opened: 1885
Closed: 12 Jul 1969
Sinking Started: 26 Jan 1885
Pits: Shaft  Shaft details for Mill Pit
Owners: 1885 - Cowpen & North Seaton Coal Co.
1928 - Mickley Coal Co.
1947 - National Coal Board (N.C.B.)
Output: 1894 - Coal: Steam.
1896 - Coal: Steam.
1900 - Coal: Steam.
1902 - Coal: Steam.
1905 - Mill - Coal: Steam.
1910 - Coal: Steam.
1915 - Coal: Steam.
1921 - Coal: Steam.
1925 - Coal: Steam.
1930 - Coal: Steam.
1935 - Coal: Steam.
1947 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam. (289,000 tons)
1950 - Coal: Steam.
1955 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1960 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1964 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1965 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1967 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1968 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1969 - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
Employment:
Year Pit  TotalScale Below Above
189482575075
189678770483
1900953814139
190292485569
1905Mill96791651
19101,01996455
191550544362
19211,1361,010126
19251,4591,285174
1930954792162
1935721599122
194076268775
1945970782188
1947903720183
1950871658213
1955857671186
1960923722201
1964815635180
1965766610156
1967766610156
1968766610156
1969802644158
1969inc. shared services
NCB  NCB Employment Figures
Manager  Colliery Management (prior to 1970)
Seams Worked: 1905 - Mill - Low Main, Yard
1910 - Low Main, Yard
1915 - Low Low Main, Low Main
1921 - Low Low Main, Low Main
1925 - Low Low Main
1930 - Plessey
1935 - Low Main, Plessey (or Low Low Main), Yard
1950 - Beaumont, Low Main, Plessey
1955 - Low Main, Plessey
1960 - Beaumont, Plessey
1964 - Beaumont, Plessey
1965 - Beaumont, Plessey
1967 - Beaumont, Plessey
1968 - Beaumont, Plessey
1969 - Beaumont, Plessey
  Abandoned Seams  Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Mill Pit
Notes:

1926 - Low Main seam abandoned

1928, 18 Feb - Yard seam abandoned

Incident  Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents for Mill Pit


  Description Summary Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Description


  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   

Besford, Thomas Robson, 23 Dec 1941, (accident: 22 Dec 1941), aged 37, Railer, due to fall of stone which resulted in fatal chest and pelvic injuries

  Individal page   

Boon, Edward, 02 Feb 1932, (accident: 29 Jan 1932), aged 27, Shifter, shot firing accident

  Individal page RLD 

Boynes, Joseph, 10 Apr 1921, aged 24

  Individal page   

Brain, William Schofield, 15 Apr 1901, aged 18, Putter, When riding on the limbers his head was crushed between the side and the tub [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Chandler, James, 07 Jul 1914, (accident: 05 Jul 1914, 6.35 a.m.), aged 27, Stoneman, Whilst they were approaching the chargeman who was waiting to take them into their working place, an accumulation of firedamp was ignited by Onwyn's candle, and they were badly burned. Onwyn died on the 7th July, 1914, and Chandler two days later [More information ...]

  Individal page RLD 

Cherton, Robert, 20 Apr 1948, aged 48

  Individal page   

Clark, John, 20 Nov 1914, aged 57, Stoneman, Deceased was engaged with another man to take down a 7-inch canch in a roadway 5 yards wide. He had taken out eight props, and two running planks, and was in the act of taking out another prop when a big fall occurred which killed him instantly. The act was the result of careless workmanship.

  Individal page   

Collins, Philip, 14 Apr 1947, aged 54, Deputy, went in to inspect a closed off area which had failed to collapse, the roof caved in killing him instantly, there were no other casualties

  Individal page   

Crawford, Lancelot (Langley), 25 Feb 1944, (accident: 23 Feb 1944), aged 15, Screener, he was crushed between two tubs when carrying out his duty of putting tickets on the tubs; not knowing he was there, someone shunted the tubs; he died in hospital three days later

  Individal page   

Croft, Robert, 06 Mar 1929, aged 24, 2nd Man on Cutter, Fall of Coal

  Individal page   

Dixon, William, 03 Jul 1946, aged 57, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page RLD 

Dower, James, 06 Oct 1920, (accident: 12 Aug 1920), aged 37, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page RLD 

Doy, Charles Dennis, 14 Dec 1934, (accident: 13 Dec 1934), aged 26, Putter / Hewer, Crushed by Tub

  Individal page RLD 

Embleton, John Alexander, 04 Jun 1923, aged 18

  Individal page RLD 

Embleton, Thomas Edward, 14 Nov 1922, aged 18, Scraper Out, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page RLD 

Forrest, Robert, 29 Mar 1931, aged 65

  Individal page   

Green, George, 03 May 1894, (accident: 12 Apr 1894, 10:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 58, Stoneman, The chargeman had examined and then sent the deceased in to make the place safer by setting props, and when doing so a stone fell and killed him [Inquest attended]

  Individal page   

Hall/Newall, Abraham, 30 Jun 1913, aged 36, Hewer, whilst getting coal about 4 yards from the gate end in a longwall machine cut and conveyor face, the coal being 3 feet 6 inches thick with a poor roof, timbered every 3 feet along the face with sets of gears, a large stone came away from between the end of the gears and the coal face, a width of about 3 feet; a further larger fall occurred directly after, knocking all the timber out [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Hand, Frederick, 10 May 1898, aged 38, Shifter, Deceased was building a "pack" at the longwall face when some "ramble" fell on him. The chargeman who examined the place a few minutes prior to the accident, was somewhat to blame for not seeing that the stone was not taken down [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page RLD 

Henderson, Thomas, 20 Mar 1926, aged 29

  Individal page RLD 

Herron, R., 20 Apr 1948, aged 48, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

  Individal page   

Herron, William, 24 Sep 1895, 11:00 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 17, Incline Boy, deceased was in a refuge hole at the bottom of an incline bank, waiting for some tubs to pass; it appears he got frightened, and in attempting to get into another hole, where some men were, he was caught and killed; if he had remained in the first hole he would have been safe

  Individal page RLD 

Jackson, Joseph Stewart, 13 Jun 1966, aged 45

  Individal page RLD 

Johnston, J. P., 24 May 1960, (accident: 1955), aged 70, Datal, Pneumoconiosis

  Individal page   

Morrell, Thomas, 22 Feb 1922, aged 48, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Cowpen Cemetery

  Individal page RLD 

Norton, Fred, 02 May 1923, (accident: 18 Apr 1923), aged 29

  Individal page RLD 

Povey, Frederick, 23 Mar 1926, aged 43

  Individal page   

Ritson, Frank, 05 Dec 1900, (accident: 12 Nov 1900), aged 34, Deputy, He was drawing timber at the longwall face, and for this purpose was using an ordinary axe instead of a proper pole which was provided for the purpose. In all probability if he had been using the pole he would have escaped the fall which took place when he knocked out the timber. [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page RLD 

Robe, David, 28 Aug 1964, aged 55

  Individal page   

Shaw, William George, 18 Mar 1923, (accident: 10 Mar 1923), aged 50, Stoneman, he was injured by a fall of stone and died later of shock and pneumonia in the Knight Memorial Hospital, Blyth; Residence: 13 Double Row, Cowpen Colliery

  Individal page   

Spells, Christopher Charles, 16 Mar 1898, aged 14, Driver, he was found lying dead under the first of two full tubs, which he was taking out. He had probably slipped and been run over, but there was no evidence to show how the accident happened [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page RLD 

Stanley, George, 21 Feb 1927, aged 63

  Individal page RLD 

Swann, John Wiliam, 15 Sep 1953, aged 56, Shot Firer, killed by a fall of coal

  Individal page   

Tate, William W., 09 Oct 1943, (accident: 11 Mar 1937), aged 39, Stoneman, shot firing accident

  Individal page   

Taylor, John, 25 Jul 1893, 9:55 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 53, Hewer, he had gone about 8 feet under the ramble, and had three props and a plank set, and was apparently safe, but a large stone suddenly fell from a slip running diagonally across the place and breaking off at the side, knocking out two of the props which were under the lighter end of the stone, it would have been better if he had got the ramble down [Inspection made & inquest attended]

  Individal page RLD 

Thompson, Ray, 20 Mar 1952, aged 41, Shuttlecar Driver, Found under the wheels of a shuttlecar

  Individal page   

Unwin, James Henry, 09 Jul 1914, (accident: 05 Jul 1914, 6.35 a.m.), aged 28, Stoneman, Whilst they were approaching the chargeman who was waiting to take them into their working place, an accumulation of firedamp was ignited by Onwyn's candle, and they were badly burned. Onwyn died on the 7th July, 1914, and Chandler two days later [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Vizzard, Reuben, 19 Apr 1895, 9:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 34, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone from some "slips" in the roof in the presence of his "marrow," who was close by, but was unhurt

  Individal page   

Vose, James Robert, 05 May 1939, (accident: 04 May 1939), aged 17, Driver, Crushed by Tub

  Individal page   

Watson, Robert Henry, 29 Mar 1940, (accident: 18 Mar 1940), aged 43, Coal Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

 
  40 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 Ray Ditchburn from his research into fatalities in Northumberland 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 Mill Pit

Nearby Collieries  list of collieries/pits etc. near to Mill Pit


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Gallery Images:

Crofton Mill Surveyors Assistants 1957. Crofton Mill Officials Dance at the Welfate Hall, Blyth - 1960 Crofton Mill Pit Baths Opening - 1960 Officials of Crofton Mill Colliery "After Ascending" Demolition Of Crofton Shaft House, Blyth - 1969. Demolition Of Shaft House, Crofton Mill Colliery 1969. Survey Team at Crofton Mill Pit 16th May 1969 A Visit To Crofton Pit Crofton Mill Storehouse, July 1969. Closure Of Crofton Mill Pit, 1969 Crofton Colliery Officials at the Welfare, Blyth (1960s) Crofton Mill - Looking into Shaft House Surface Screen at Crofton Pit, Blyth

  Credits Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries  

Credits

Sources:

  • 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
  • 1894 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7667), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1895 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8074), 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
  • 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
  • 1910 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1913 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 7439), Northern Division (No. 2) by J. R. R. Wilson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1914 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 8023), Northern Division (No. 2) by J. R. R. Wilson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1915 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 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
  • 1964 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
  • 1965 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
  • 1967 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
  • 1968 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
  • 1969 Guide to the Coalfields published by the Colliery Guardian
  • An Account of the strata of Northumberland & Durham as proved by Borings & Sinkings, Supplement, published by the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, 1910
  • Contributions by members of the Public
  • Contributions from Ray Ditchburn from his research into mining fatalities in Northumberland
  • Headstone(s) in Cowpen cemetery

  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Related Links:

On this site
Newspaper articles Newspaper articles
Article from <I>Colliery Engineering</I> (March 1934) — "Colliery Re-Organisation on the North East Coast - I" Article from Colliery Engineering (March 1934) — "Colliery Re-Organisation on the North East Coast - I"
Article from <I>Colliery Engineering</I> (April 1934) — "Colliery Re-Organisation on the North East Coast - II" Article from Colliery Engineering (April 1934) — "Colliery Re-Organisation on the North East Coast - II"
Pictures in the Gallery section of Crofton Mill Colliery Pictures in the Gallery section of Crofton Mill Colliery

Further Reading:

  • Collieries of Northumberland (Volume 1), James T. Tuck, 1993, TUPS Ltd., ISBN 1-871518-08-3
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