St. Hilda's Colliery

1813 - A series of borings was in progress at Manor, Wallsend, near South Shields, to prove the depth and thickness of the sand-beds in this vicinity

1825 - The Church or New Engine Pit, Manor Wallsend, now called Saint Hilda Colliery, South Shields, was sunk from the surface to the Harvey Seam. A bore-hole was put down below the High Main Seam, Manor Wallsend Colliery, to prove the Yard Coal and Bensham Seam

1940 - Italy entered World War II - the primary market for St. Hilda, decision taken to close the pit and only keep a crew of men to maintain and man the pumps for ventilation.

Addison, George, 27 May 1925, aged 15, Landing Lad, crushed by tubs that had run amain

Adey, George, 16 Jan 1886, aged 63, Shifter, three coal tubs passed over him

Argyle, Joseph, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 45, Deputy Overman, killed in the 1839 explosion, went down and rescued his son, returned, and brought out dead, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Armstrong, James, 21 Sep 1865, aged 34, riding on tubs, incline, head crushed against roof [Inquest: 23 Sep 1865]

Auld, Josiah, 21 Mar 1937, aged 61, Blacksmith, collapsed and died whilst at work from a heart attack, coroners verdict "deathfrom natural causes"

Bell, Edward, 24 May 1886, aged 39, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone, address: George Street, South Shields

Bell, John Enoch, 07 Nov 1912, aged 62, Flagman, run over by a train of wagons, which after standing were slacked back to enable the locomotive drawing them to start; he was 70 yards away from his place of duty, and it was dark at the time+M12610

Belson, Edward, 24 Dec 1912, (accident: 19 Dec 1912), aged 17, Pit-bottom lad, owing to a drop cage being moved without signal, he fell, and got his fingers cut, dying five days later of haemorrhage of brain

Bridgewood, Ephraim, 19 Oct 1912, aged 58, Fireman, fell off a gangway while wheeling ashes, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Brown, Michael, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 12, Driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Bruce, William, 20 Dec 1899, aged 15, Trapper, He was knocked down by a set of tubs on the engine-plane when attempting to open a door for the set to pass through. He had probably not been at his post, and was too late in trying to open the door [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Burn, W., 26 Sep 1933, aged 43, Conveyor Mover, struck on chest

Calvert, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 28, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Clarke, J. T., 09 Feb 1925, aged 24, Labourer, killed by a fall of stone

Clarke, W. W., 24 Feb 1937, aged 65, Stoneman, asphyxiation

Cooper, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 13, Craneboy, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Craigs, Stephen, 07 Aug 1856, killed by a fall of stone

Curry, Cuthbert, 02 Oct 1884, aged 52, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

Cuthbertson, George, 03 Sep 1885, aged 23, Waiter On, fell down shaft

Davison, Thomas, 10 Jan 1912, aged 59, Wasteman, caught by the "set" on haulage plane, on which he had been instructed not to travel; he had probably lost his light before getting on to the plane

Dawson, William, 28 Oct 1891, 7:30 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 27, Onsetter, after signalling the cage from the bottom of a "staple" he attempted to pass through it to the other side, but was caught as the cage moved, and partly dragged up the "staple" [Inspection made & Inquest attended]

Dickinson, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 12, Driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of John Dickinson, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Dickinson, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 49, Rolleywayman, killed in the 1839 explosion, father of John, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Dinning, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 25, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Dobson, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 32, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Douglas, Jonathan, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 10, Driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Douthwaite, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Dover, John Thomas, 01 Jun 1934, aged 59, Deputy Overman, fracture of the spine and severe head injuries accidentally received by a fall of stone in the Travelling way between the South and First East Flat of the Saint Hilda Colliery South Shields, address: 14 Moffett Street, South Shields

Elliott, Andrew Peacock, 13 Aug 1924, 11.45 a.m., 2ndnd hour of shift, aged 19, Driver, Deceased was riding on the limbers whilst driving a full tub outbye. For some unknown reason, he raised his head and it was crushed between the top of the tub and a baulk. Deceased was quite dead when found

Ellis, Charles, 25 May 1891, 11:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 40, Hauling Engineman, he had gone under the drum for some purpose, and instead of coming out at the end of the drum pit he attempted to pass through the fly wheel, when his weight moved the wheel, and he was crushed between the spoke of the wheel and the brickwork [Inspection made & Inquest attended]

Ellison, Jonathan, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 52, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Elstob, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 32, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, father of Thomas Elstob, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Elstob, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 9, Trapper, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of Thomas Elstob, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Eskdale, James, 18 Dec 1924, (accident: 09 Dec 1924, 6.30 a.m., 1st hour of shift), aged 39, Guard, Deceased was walking alongside a train of 10 full stone wagons. When passing over some crossings he stumbled over the end of a wing rail and fell, with his hand on the rail. Three wagons passed over it, amputating the hand near the wrist. He died 9 days later

Fairley, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 33, Rolleywayman, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow [More information ...]

Faulkner, Alexander, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 21, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Findlay, William, 21 Sep 1913, (accident: 18 Sep 1913), aged 32, Hewer, it was is alleged that death had been caused by a strain which deceased received whilst lifting a tub on September 18th, 1913; death was due to intestinal obstruction following operation for appendicitis

Fleming, J., 19 Feb 1937, (accident: 14 Jan 1937), aged 35, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

Forsyth, Alexander, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 19, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Fowler, Samuel, 06 Jun 1904, aged 55, Shifter, after deceased had worked for about five hours with another man renewing timber he complained of a pain in his chest, and died while he was being taken outbye in a tub; the cause of death was heart disease, and no inquest was held

Gallagher, John, 11 Jun 1894, 11:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 14, Driver, He was found dead alongside his full tubs. Possibly he was attempting to get from one side of the road to the other by crossing the limmers, and got his head crushed against a baulk [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Georgeson, George, 11 Oct 1921, aged 31, Shot Firer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Gibson, Benjamin, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 53, Keeker, killed in the 1839 explosion, father of Richard and Thomas, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Gibson, Charles, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 20, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Gibson, Matthew, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 38, Water Leader, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Gibson, Richard, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of Benjamin Gibson, brother of Thomas, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Gibson, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 14, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of Benjamin Gibson, brother of Richard, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Hall, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of John, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Hall, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of George, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Hall, Thomas, 22 Dec 1909, aged 36, Hewer, fall of top coal in working place, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Hall, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 28, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Halliday, Louis, 04 Jun 1912, aged 22, Screen motorman, whilst screwing up lubricators on one of the screen belts, his clothing caught a stud in a collar of the shafting, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Hardy, Edward, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 17, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Hardy, Edward, 19 Mar 1860, killed by a fall of stone

Hardy, Edward, 18 Feb 1864, by premature fire of shot

Harrison, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 56, Wasteman, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields on 30 Jun 1839 {NBI} [More information ...]

Harrison, William, 28 Apr 1849, Wasteman, killed by a fall of roof

Hawke, William Albert, 27 Dec 1923, aged 56, Shunter [More information ...]

Hedley, Matthew, 28 Aug 1888, (accident: 21 Aug 1888), aged 14, Driver, full set of tubs having been set free in consequence of hauling rope breaking, ran against an empty set to which the deceased was attaching his pony, causing him to be crushed

Heslop, Robert, 19 Apr 1847, aged 36, Deputy Overman, he was drawing timber when a large quantity of stone fell on him; he died the same evening; he left a wife and seven children.

Hill, Robert Aitken, 31 May 1907, aged 16, Driver [More information ...]

Hood, Matthew, 23 May 1903, (accident: 21 May 1903), aged 27, Stone Putter, On the 21st May deceased was performing his ordinary duties in the pit, and in addition had assisted to put a loaded tub, that had become derailed, back on the rails on an endless rope haulage road. Some time after he became ill with a severe pain in the stomach, and had to be helped outbye. He was taken to South Shields Infirmary and died there. A post mortem examination revealed an ulcer of old standing in his stomach which had burst.

Hood, William, 19 Nov 1891, 4:00 p.m., 6th hour of shift, Hewer, injured his knee in the pit and died some days afterwards

Horn, Thomas, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 57, Wasteman, killed in the 1839 explosion, widower, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Hudson, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 22, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Jamieson, George, 27 Nov 1913, aged 43, Shifter, deceased was engaged in laying a turn in the back winning of a broken flat; two pairs of gears had been set and one pair withdrawn in order to get the required space; he was dinting the floor in order to lay the sleepers, when a fall roof occurred which canted out three pairs of gears and killed him instantly, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Jarvis, Frederick Richie, 18 Sep 1915, aged 15, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Johnson, Robert, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 23, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Kane, James, 28 Nov 1918, (accident: 27 Nov 1918), aged 16, Clip Lad, died as a result of injuries received when he was knocking a clip off the endless rope when he tripped and fell in front of the set

Kendrick, Joseph, 28 Jan 1884, aged 30, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Laidler, Luke, 17 Mar 1841, aged 15, fell down the shaft

Lamb, Henry, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 26, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, brother of William, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Lamb, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 29, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, brother of Henry, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Lavery, James, 09 Jul 1891, 10:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 52, Hewer, whilst riding outbye on a tram the pony seems to have bolted, and in some way the deceased fell in front of the third tram which passed over him [Inspection made & Inquest attended]

Lewens, Martin, 02 Feb 1888, aged 21, Hewer, roof stone fell in jud [More information ...]

Liddle, William, 05 Apr 1859, explosion of firedamp [More information ...]

Lightburn, John, 23 Sep 1842, aged 13, Rolley Driver, Was attending his rollies in St. Hilda's Colliery, South Shields, when "he by some accident got so severely injured, that he died in the course of that evening."

Lightburn, William, 16 Feb 1844, (accident: 15 Feb 1844), aged 18, The "Sign of the Plough", Templetown, South Shields was the venue for an inquest into the death of William Lightburn, aged 18. He was employed at St. Hilda's Colliery and on 15 February, was struck upon the head by a rolley, and form the injuries he received died on the following day.

Liscombe, Charles, Jul 1875, aged 14, Chester Ward Coroner's Inquest, place: South Shields, cause: crushed, coal wagons St. Hilda's Pit yard (DRO Ref: COR/C/2/323)

Longstaff, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 48, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, father of James and William, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Longstaff, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., killed in the 1839 explosion, married [More information ...]

Longstaff, James, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 9, driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of George Longstaff, brother of William, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Longstaff, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 11, Driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, son of George Longstaff, brother of James, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Maughan, John, 31 Dec 1919, aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone in the Hutton Seam

McMillan, A., 12 Apr 1934, aged 33, Putter, crushed by tubs

McMillan, Christopher Brown, 13 Jul 1914, aged 16, Driver, whilst deceased was connecting the limbers to a full tub standing in the flat, the pony moved away, and his head was caught between the tub and a baulk; his skull was fractured, and he died in the Infirmary 2½ hours afterwards

Millburn, George, 20 Sep 1864, aged 49, killed by a fall of roof, left a wife and several children, address: Colliery-square, Templetown, South Shields

Moody, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 12, Crane Boy, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of Joseph, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Moody, Joseph, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 16, Driver, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of John, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Moss, John, 05 Aug 1890, aged 13, Trapper, found dead on the engine plane as if he had been knocked down by a set of tubs

Newby, Adam, Dec 1915, killed by a fall of stone

O'Connor, William, 07 Jun 1912, aged 15, Driver, whilst in the act of hanging his pony on to a tub the pony moved away suddenly, and his head was caught between the tub and a baulk

Oliver, John, 23 Mar 1868, aged 15, Pony Putter, crushed by tubs

Ord, James, 08 Mar 1907, aged 58, Mason [More information ...]

Pearce, G. E., 28 Sep 1935, (accident: 27 Sep 1935), aged 20, Waggon Lad, crushed

Pease, John G., 23 Dec 1884, aged 24, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal

Pease, William, 28 Apr 1879, aged 14, Compass Boy, crushed by tubs on engine plane ; lockjaw set in

Potter, T., 06 Dec 1937, aged 27, Onsetter, crushed

Ramshaw, Patrick, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, brother of William, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Ramshaw, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 23, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, brother of Patrick, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Ranson, James, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 24, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow [More information ...]

Reay, William, 23 Aug 1869, aged 50, Shifter, crushed by tubs

Roberts, George, 29 May 1906, aged 30, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Rogerson, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 21, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, native of Percy Main, Buried: Christ Church Churchyard, Tynemouth [More information ...]

Roxby, George, 17 Dec 1914, (accident: 28 Jan 1913), aged 57, Stoneman

Rutter, Edward, 29 Nov 1903, aged 50, Mason's Labourer, Deceased was working underground near the shaft carrying bricks. He came to work at 6 am., but feeling unwell left at 8 a.m., and a shaftman went up with him in the cage. He went home and afterwards took a short walk, and on returning home died in a chair. No inquest was held.

Scott, Alexander, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 15, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of George, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow [More information ...]

Scott, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 28, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, brother of Alexander, Buried: St. Paul's Churchyard, Jarrow [More information ...]

Scott, John George, 17 Mar 1910, aged 18, Motor Attendant, electric shock

Seatory, John, 07 Oct 1891, 8:40 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 27, Stoneman, fall of stone whilst driving a crosscut through some old pillars [Inspection made & Inquest attended]

Sloan, Stanley, 19 Jun 1925, aged 15, Driver, crushed between tub and roof

Smith, Christopher, 22 Dec 1913, aged 16, Staple Bottom Lad, deceased after rapping away a cage at the bottom of a drop staple, went between the cage and a standing full tub, probably to ease the tub away; as the cage ascended, the bottom shoe upon it caught deceased's clothing, and took him up until his head came in contact with a bunton 10 feet up, and he was instantly killed; good sliding gates were provided, but he had not closed them

Smith, Frederick, 11 Jun 1913, aged 16, Pony Driver, deceased had connected the limbers to the first of a set of empty tubs, when his pony went away before he was clear; his head was caught between the empty tub and a low balk, which fractured his skull, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Smith, John, 13 Jun 1878, aged 16, Station Lad, crushed between tub and prop

Smith, Thomas, 18 May 1893, 11:30 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 17, Staple Boy, The deceased, who was engaged at the bottom of a staple as assistant hooker, was caught by the cage, carried to the top, and crushed to death. His duties were simply to lift the slot on the empty side, so that the empty tubs could run out. Beyond that he had nothing whatever to do with the cage, and why he should have been near the cage at the time it is impossible to say [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Snowdon, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 25, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Spence, Roger, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 26, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, native of Percy Main, Buried: Christ Church Churchyard, Tynemouth [More information ...]

Spoors, James, 15 Feb 1919, aged 39, Stoneman, killed by being run over by the set

Stephenson, Andrew, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 21, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Stephenson, Charles, 16 Feb 1864, aged 51, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Stephenson, John, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 23, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Stobbs, Robert, 11 Apr 1890, aged 52, Waggonman, run over by waggon and killed

Taylor, William, 29 Mar 1938, (accident: 28 Mar 1938), aged 61, Hewer, crushed by tubs

Thompson, Robert, 29 Jan 1921, (accident: 13 Jan 1921), aged 51, Hewer, died from blood poisoning set up by injuries to his left leg when he was hit by a piece of coal from the pick point

Thompson, W., 20 Dec 1935, (accident: 02 Mar 1932), aged 61, Filler, died from injuries received

Todd, J., 29 Sep 1920, (accident: 17 Jul 1919), aged 30, Hewer

Todd, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 25, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Waite, Thomas, 01 Apr 1936, aged 44, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Walker, George, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 20, Putter, killed in the 1839 explosion, single man, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]

Westall, John Burdon, 03 Oct 1911, aged 17, Stone Putter, crushed by tub, Buried: Harton Cemetery, South Shields

Willis, J., 18 Sep 1931, (accident: 15 Sep 1931), aged 54, Hewer, fall of stone, died from injuries received

Wright, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 46, killed in the 1839 explosion, left a widow Catherine and 6 children [More information ...]

Young, Robert, 05 Apr 1859, explosion of firedamp [More information ...]

Young, William, 28 Jun 1839, 9:00 a.m., aged 28, Hewer, killed in the 1839 explosion, married, Buried: St. Hilda's Churchyard, South Shields [More information ...]