Usworth Colliery

1815 - Boring operations from surface were in progress at Usworth

1845 - Commenced to sink Usworth Colliery on 7 April; reached the Hutton Seam and finished sinking operations on 22 July, 1847.

1890 - Engine house destroyed by fire

1902 - Sunk the shafts at Usworth Colliery from the Hutton to the Busty Seam.

1914 - Brockwell seam abandoned

1959 - Colliery combined with Follonsby/Wardley via underground loco road

1969 - Further reoganisaton: Wardley used for coal drawing, Usworth for man riding

Adamson, D., 16 Jul 1868, aged 26, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Alexander, Joseph, 19 Sep 1919, aged 20, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Allen, Frank, 19 Dec 1932, aged 36, Driller, caught by conveyor, Buried: Washington Cemetery [More information ...]

Anderson, William, 12 Jul 1921, (accident: 08 Feb 1921), aged 65, Wasteman, died from injuries received to his spine by falling

Armstrong, Joseph, 11 Apr 1891, 12:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 27, Fireman, explosion of steam boiler underground [Inspection made & Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 13 Apr 1891 pg 3 col 3; inquest - 22 May 1891 pg 3 col 4; inquiry - 06 Jun 1891 pg 3 col 5], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Armstrong, Joseph Jobling, 10 Jan 1901, aged 66, Shifter, The deceased died from blood poisoning resulting from a cut on the knee caused by a sharp edged stone falling on it [Inquest attended]

Atkinson, A., 05 Apr 1940, aged 30, Filler, accidentally gassed [More information ...]

Ball, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 68, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Barr, Frank, 05 Oct 1878, aged 56, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Beckworth, Martin, 01 Oct 1864, aged 13, Pony Driver, killed by a fall of roof

Bell, William, 11 Apr 1891, 12:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Fireman, explosion of steam boiler underground [Inspection made & Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 13 Apr 1891 pg 3 col 3; inquest - 22 May 1891 pg 3 col 4; inquiry - 06 Jun 1891 pg 3 col 5], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Benjamin, William, 02 Feb 1869, aged 27, Labourer, explosion of boiler [More information ...]

Beveridge, David, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 24, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Blackburn, John, 22 Jan 1883, aged 34, Hewer, crushed by a water tub

Blakey, George, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light) [More information ...]

Bone, Stephen, 16 Nov 1899, aged 64, Spare Fireman, Bone was passing across the railway sidings when seven empty waggons, which were being lowered down to the screens, collided with three others, deceased being struck by one of the latter [Inspection made & inquest attended], Buried: Duncombe Cemetery, Ferryhill

Boyle, James, 21 Dec 1883, aged 61, Putter, rupture caused by lifting a tub, inquest held, verdict accidental

Boyle, Thomas, 15 Aug 1917, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 15 Aug 1917 pg 2 col 8]

Brigham, John, 22 Nov 1887, aged 14, Driver, crushed by tubs on engine plane

Brown, Samuel, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 51, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Brown, William, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 23, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Buckham, Robert Robson, 12 Nov 1908, aged 14, Flatter, while acting as driver fell before his set [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 12 Nov 1908], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Bulch, W. L., 04 Nov 1941, (accident: 03 Nov 1941), aged 16, Conveyor Lad, caught by tubs

Cambridge, James, 28 Jul 1870, aged 66, Hewer, crushed by tubs

Carr, Michael, 28 May 1890, 9:30 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 45, Hewer, caught on engine plane by two runaway tubs

Carr, Robert, 25 Oct 1894, 4:00 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 43, Under Manager, Deceased was passing over some empty tubs, and when they began to move he was thrown off and fell amongst them, and injured so severely that he died a few hours afterwards [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Carr, William, 21 Oct 1850, aged 25, killed by a fall of stone, left a wife (Sarah, nee Bartram) and two sons, William and John; William was killed in the 1885 Usworth disaster

Carr, William, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 36, Deputy, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), his father (also called William) was killed in the same pit in 1850, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Charlton, John, 10 Apr 1895, 8:00 a.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 13, Trapper, deceased was run over by a set of tubs when attempting to get on a tub in motion on the engine plane

Chicken, Richard, 07 Mar 1924, (accident: 02 Mar 1924, 10.30 a.m., 4th hour of shift), aged 45, Stoneman, explosion [More information ...]

Chisholm, Robert, 25 Jul 1895, 4:00 p.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 17, Run Rider, deceased was coming out-bye with the engine set, when the main chain between the rope and the set broke, causing the tubs to run back, and dragging deceased some distance; he died from the injuries a few hours after; the chain was of ¾-inch best iron, and there appeared to be no reason of the link breaking

Clarke, James, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 61, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Clint, Thomas, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 20, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a widowed mother [More information ...]

Common, H. B., 18 Apr 1876, aged 21, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Condron, Thomas, 16 Jan 1914, (accident: 13 Jan 1914), aged 57, Stoneman, deceased and his son were coming outbye, the latter leading a pony, down a gravity worked incline dipping about 2½ inches to the yard, on which, having no 2-feet travelling way, no one was allowed to travel when the sets were running; the son reaching the bottom much sooner than his father, thoughtlessly told the landing lad to rap the bank "clear," and the set was started; the father was found some little distance up the bank, and he stated that the empty rope jerking across had knocked his safety lamp out, otherwise there would have been plenty of room for him to get out of the way; deceased died 3 days later [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 19 Jan 1914 pg 4 col 4]

Conlon, Matthew, 31 Jul 1908, (accident: 30 Jun 1908), aged 25, Stoneman, deceased strained himself while lifting a stone, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Connell, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 27, Hewer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Connor, William Smith, 17 Sep 1906, (accident: 26 Jul 1901), aged 21, Helper-up [More information ...]

Cook, James, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 30, Hewer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Cosgrove, Michael, 06 Jul 1897, aged 36, Drawer, Cosgrove was engaged in raising steel girders on the engine plane landing, and was showing the deputy the condition of the place when a fall occurred, completely burying them [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...]

Cowen, Henry, 07 Feb 1911, aged 14, Greaser, fell over roller and died from blood poisoning

Craggs, Thomas, 10 Mar 1884, aged 46, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Craig, John, 27 Feb 1875, aged 70, Hewer, crushed by a tub

Crake, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 66, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Cresswell, Edward, 27 Feb 1863, (accident: 23 Feb 1863), aged 23, Shifter, killed by an explosion of gas at a naked light [More information ...]

Crowther, Henry, 15 Nov 1879, aged 29, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Cummings, James, 31 Oct 1887, aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal

Cummings, Robert, 23 Feb 1863, Shifter, killed by an explosion of gas at a naked light [More information ...]

Daglish, James, 05 Apr 1876, aged 13, Driver, crushed by tubs

Davison, Arthur Leslie, 09 Sep 1935, aged 16, Landing Lad, struck by rope [More information ...]

Dawson, Isaac, 09 Apr 1920, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Dawson, James, 10 Jul 1871, aged 15, Putter, kicked by a pony

Dawson, James, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Devine, Felix, 16 Dec 1886, aged 48, Hewer, crushed by tubs on engine plane

Devonport, Jim, 29 Mar 1963, aged 53,  

Dillon, James, 26 Jun 1907, aged 66, died through an accident whilst following his employment, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Ditchburn, John, 29 May 1895, 7:00 a.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 21, Putter, deceased was bringing a tub from the coal face down a gradient, but failing to get a "drag" in the wheel on starting, he tried to do so when the tub was in motion, and was run over and killed

Dixon, John Robert, 29 Apr 1938, aged 23, Putter, crushed

Dobson, Heath, 27 Apr 1870, aged 53, Deputy, fall of stone

Dobson, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 18, Boiler Fireman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Docherty, Edward, 19 Oct 1870, aged 17, Putter, crushed by tubs

Docherty, P., 24 Sep 1868, aged 60, Screener, crushed by waggons

Donnelly, Elijah, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 44, Back Overman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), suffocated by after-damp, exploring after explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Dorman, Patrick, 28 Dec 1927, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Duffy, Hugh, 01 Oct 1889, aged 19, Putter, crushed between a tub and a door whilst driving

Dunn, John, 26 Dec 1916, aged 60, Screener, crushed by trucks, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Dunning, James, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 16, Driver, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Durham, James, 26 Jul 1961, aged 45, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Ellison, John, 01 Jun 1861 [More information ...]

Evans, John, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 28, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 1 child [More information ...]

Every, Robert, 21 Apr 1897, aged 48, Hewer, The deceased was hewing in a place alongside a fault when a sudden fall of stone took place canting out some props and crushing him. The place appeared to have been well timbered [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 22 Apr 1897 pg 4]

Fletcher, Matthew E., 28 Jan 1936, aged 27, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

Frazer, Thomas Oxley, 14 Jul 1952, aged 45, caught by a fall of stone and fatally injured

Gallon, William, 01 Jun 1895, aged 38, Winding Engineman, he had just completed a winding and was walking towards the banksman, to whom he said something unintelligibly, when he fell down dead from heart disease [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Gardiner, Burnip, 24 Aug 1855, explosion [More information ...]

Gardner, Thomas, 07 May 1869, aged 26, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Gascoigne, Samuel, 23 Feb 1863, Shifter, killed by an explosion of gas at a naked light [More information ...]

Gascoigne, Thomas, 01 Jun 1861 [More information ...]

Gatford, William, 07 Jan 1899, aged 60, Cartman, Supposed to have fallen from a gangway on to the rails below, whilst on his way to the screens after placing his cart in position [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 11 Jan 1899 pg 3]

Gibson, Henry, 16 Sep 1909, aged 29, Hewer, fall of roof stone at longwall face [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 16 Sep 1909], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Goldboro', John, 08 Aug 1868, aged 18, Putter, tub going amain on engine plane

Goodrun, George, 06 Feb 1900, aged 31, Stoneman, A top-canch shot had been fired at the face of a gateway. Deceased was building a pack wall, when a stone fell which they had previously tried to pinch down, and under which his marrow was in the act of setting a prop. [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 07 Feb 1900 pg 4]

Gouldon, John, 04 Apr 1905, aged 10, [Not employed - Schoolboy], Deceased had played truant from school and was amusing himself, with two other boys, on the sidings behind the pit into which the empty trucks were placed. A North-Eastern Railway locomotive pushed 29 trucks into the siding 418 yards west of the pit. The engine left, and the trucks were being slowly lowered by gravity to the pits when deceased, who was seen to be riding on the buffer or brake of the first, fell before it and sustained injuries causing his death an hour later. The sidings are fenced and there is no right of way where the accident happened [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Green, George, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 29, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 1 child [More information ...]

Green, Richard, 21 May 1867, aged 23, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Greener, Joshua, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 38, Deputy, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), his son (Joseph) was seriously injured in a boiler explosion at the same colliery in 1891, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Greenwell, Thomas, 27 Jun 1879, aged 14, Screener, crushed by coal truck

Grundy, J., 27 Mar 1933, aged 48, Hewer, crushed by set

Hagan, Isaac, 1898, aged 13, after ceasing work he was attempting to get on to a waggon which was being shunted into the colliery yard, when he fell under the wheels and received such injuries that he shortly after died

Hall, Thomas, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 26, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 1 child, also a widowed mother [More information ...]

Hall, Thomas, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 30, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 4 children [More information ...]

Hann, William, 17 Nov 1905, aged 24, Hewer, Deceased and his marrow (who was slightly injured) were sumping in opposite the road head in a longwall place in the Hutton seam, when a stone 4 feet by 3 feet and 1 foot thick, fell from the roof about 3 feet from the face. The stone was relieved by a slip on one side which was not visible until after it fell. The deputy had just examined and jowled the roof, and had not left the place when the accident happened. There was a good supply of loose props. The Local Inspectors reported, that in their opinion it was a pure accident, Buried: Boldon Cemetery

Hannah, Samuel, 31 Jan 1870, aged 17, Putter, crushed by tubs

Harle, Ridley, 18 Jan 1926, aged 46, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Harler, Moses, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 37, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Harrison, Robert, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 61, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Hart, William, 01 Dec 1876, aged 15, Driver, crushed by tub

Henderson, Alexander, 19 Mar 1900, aged 25, Hewer, The deceased and his marrow were working at the face of a long wall gateway on the first shift after the "cavilling," when a huge stone 21 feet long and two feet thick fell from a slip right across the face. The deputy had just left the place, which was timbered up to within six feet from the coal. [Inquest attended]

Hill, M., 03 May 1945, aged 64, Datal, runaway tubs

Hodgson, J. George, 06 Jul 1897, aged 28, Deputy, Cosgrove was engaged in raising steel girders on the engine plane landing, and was showing the deputy the condition of the place when a fall occurred, completely burying them [Inspection made & inquest attended] [More information ...]

Holland, Hugh, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 21, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), single [More information ...]

Horrigan, Dennis, 28 Mar 1909, aged 60, Shifter, fell from gangway, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Horsburgh, John William, 08 Jan 1925, aged 22, Putter, runover by tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Howarth, Jonas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 48, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Howarth, William, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 20, Boiler Fireman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Hudson, William, 20 Feb 1909, aged 62, Joiner, stepped into pool of hot water [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 19 Mar 1909]

Hunter, Henry, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 75, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Hutchinson, Isaac, 18 Dec 1898, He was employed at Usworth Colliery, but of no fixed abode, fell down one of the shafts early on the morning of the 18th December. He had finished his work and had gone into the fire hole to sleep for the night. He was told by the fireman to go away, and was then seen to proceed to the shaft, open the gates, and to disappear, and on an alarm being raised, he was found at the bottom of the pit dead. Whether he had mistaken the gates for some others, or had deliberately opened them, it is impossible to say. The cradle was at the landing, and the space through which he fell did not exceed 18 inches in width. His wife stated at the inquest that he had not been himself for some time past.

Hutton, Thomas, 17 Nov 1937, (accident: 15 Nov 1937), aged 43, Deputy, runover by set

Ingleby, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 48, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Jobling, William, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 53, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 6 children [More information ...]

Johnson, James, 29 Aug 1873, aged 32, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Johnson, Robert, 16 Oct 1850, (accident: 16 Sep 1850), there were two slight explosions at Usworth Colliery on 16 September, one of which severely burnt Robert Johnson, who failed to recover and died on 16 October. At the inquest, resident viewer, John Cook, said that the explosion had been caused by Johnson removing a prop out of the stopping, and using candles where he had been ordered to use a safety lamp. However, other pitmen denied that they had received any orders not to work with candles

Johnson, Robert, 19 Jul 1877, aged 13, Coupler, jumping on tubs when passing, he fell amongst them and was crushed

Johnson, William, 13 Aug 1869, aged 35, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

Johnston, Andrew, 13 Jan 1868, aged 37, Hewer, crushed between cage and slide [More information ...]

Kelly, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 21, Putter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Lamb, Nicholas, 29 Aug 1929, aged 41, Filler, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Lavery, Daniel, 1896, aged 49, Wasteman, died from heat apoplexy soon after returning home from his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Lawson, Joseph, 17 Jan 1911, aged 50, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 17 Jan 1911 pg 3 col 5; inquest - 19 Jan 1911 pg 3 col 5]

Lawther, N., 08 May 1936, aged 55, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Liddle, James, 13 Apr 1948, aged 68, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Liddle, John, 08 Jan 1892, 1:30 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 16, Driver, He was hewing coal, contrary to the rules, off the side of the main engine plane, when a stone which he had bared fell upon him. The road was in good order [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Lloyd, Alfred, 05 Apr 1940, aged 33, Filler, accidentally gassed, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Lloyd, Edward, 19 Apr 1876, (accident: 13 Apr 1876), aged 16, Driver, crushed by tubs

Lonsdale, John J., 11 Jan 1943, (accident: 06 Jan 1943), aged 51, Deputy, slipped

Marriner, James, 22 Sep 1892, 1:00 p.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 27, Hewer, A heavy fall of roof from "slips" at the face as he was hewing [Inquiries made]

Marriner, John, 07 Sep 1915, aged 20

Marshall, Edward A., 02 Mar 1924, 10.30 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 47, Stoneman, explosion [More information ...]

Marshall, George W. P., 27 Sep 1934, (accident: 26 Sep 1934), aged 14, Landing Lad, crushed by tubs, Buried: Washington Cemetery

Martin, Thomas, 30 Nov 1886, aged 19, Screener, apparatus chain wound over his body

Matthews, Frederick, 11 Feb 1908, aged 19, Assistant onsetter, the engineman appears to have collapsed while the cages were running and deceased was thrown out of the ascending cage [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 11 Feb 1908], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Maughan, Mosley Maxfield, 07 Jun 1917, (accident: 1908), aged 24, died from the results of an accident nine years previously, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

McCallum, Robert, 14 Nov 1884, aged 40, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

McCann, Hugh, 19 Nov 1868, aged 55, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

McGreavy, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 52, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

McGuire, James, 25 Sep 1884, aged 56, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

McKenna, Francis C., 08 Aug 1929, aged 27, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

McKenzie, Thomas, 04 Nov 1886, aged 25, Hewer, pick point penetrated knee joint

McLaughlin, William, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 36, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

McMahon, F., 07 May 1932, (accident: 28 Apr 1932), aged 23, Filler, struck by prop, died from injuries received [More information ...]

McMann, Patrick, 05 Dec 1890, aged 16, Driver, fell in front of the tubs he was driving

McNeil, Patrick, 13 Apr 1902, (accident: 04 Apr 1902), aged 22, Pony Putter, while bringing a full tub from the face to his pony he improperly placed himself in front of it and was overcome and crushed against a prop ; a drag was put in the wheels but it fell out [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 16 Apr 1902 pg 4]

McQuillan, Peter, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 47, Deputy, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

McQuire, John, 05 Dec 1896, (accident: 25 Nov 1896), aged 27, Hewer, Strained himself at work when helping a putter and died on December 5th [Inquiries made]

McWherter, Thomas W., 29 Sep 1893, 4:00 p.m., 10th hour of shift, aged 19, Putter, The deceased was leaving his work, and when he got near the shaft he found the "set" standing. He stood until it moved, when part of the "set" ran backwards, and he was crushed against the side of an arch. The accident was due to the landing lad insecurely connecting the coupling chain with the tubs [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Mitchinson, Thomas William, 11 Apr 1891, 12:30 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 32, Mason, explosion of steam boiler underground [Inspection made & Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 13 Apr 1891 pg 3 col 3; inquest - 22 May 1891 pg 3 col 4; inquiry - 06 Jun 1891 pg 3 col 5], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Monaghan, M., 20 Jan 1915, aged 19, Putter, died from appendicictis, it was alleged that death was accelerated by an accident when he was lifting a tub and sprained his abdomen

Mooney, Joseph, 16 Feb 1924, (accident: 24 Jan 1924, 4.30 p.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 17, Shaft Lad, Deceased was lowering a tram of timber down the shaft siding. He was controlling it with a drag when his finger was crushed between the drag and the wheel. He completed his shift and worked for another week, but had to give up owing to blood poisoning setting in. He died 3 weeks after the accident

Munro, William, 24 Aug 1855, explosion [More information ...]

Murray, Hugh, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 16, Driver, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Murray, Jeremiah, 29 Jun 1888, aged 54, Board Room Man, ridding through a board-room stone came away upon him

Murray, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 14, Driver, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Nee, Stephen, 04 Dec 1928, aged 17, Braker, crushed

Nesbit, John William, 11 Jun 1898, (accident: 02 Jun 1898), aged 21, Stoneman, The deceased was breaking a stone with a hammer, when a small piece struck him on the nose, inflicting a very slight wound, which, however, became more serious, and finally blood poisoning supervened and he died on June 11th [Inquest attended]

Nixon, William, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 25, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 1 child [More information ...]

Nunn, Charles, 28 May 1889, aged 46, Hewer, killed by a fall of roof

O'Neal, Charles, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 40, Chock Drawer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

O'Neal, Charles (Jun), 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 14, Chock Drawer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Outhwaite, J. W., 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 29, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Pearson, Joseph, 06 Aug 1906, (accident: 21 May 1906), aged 57, Hewer [More information ...]

Price, Philip, 09 Nov 1881, aged 45, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Purdy, Robert, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 35, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife [More information ...]

Purdy, William, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 19, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light) [More information ...]

Quinn, George, 05 Nov 1888, aged 19, Putter, head crushed between timber and tub

Quinn, Michael, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 54, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Ramshaw, George, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 60, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light) [More information ...]

Rawling, James, 11 Mar 1869, aged 13, Driver, crushed by tubs

Richardson, James, 05 May 1909, aged 44, Hewer, Fall of band at working face

Richardson, Robert, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 39, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Richardson, Robert Stanley, 28 Sep 1939, aged 30, Puller Up, caught by machinery, Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington

Riley, Christopher, 06 Aug 1901, aged 45, Hewer, A large stone fell away from four slips killing deceased and injuring his mate. The deputy had just left the working after setting two props [Inspection made & inquest attended] [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 07 Aug 1901 pg 3]

Roberts, William, 02 Aug 1897, drowned [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 02 Aug 1897 pg 3 col 1] [date of report]

Robinson, Henry, 25 Oct 1869, aged 74, Wasteman, killed by a fall of stone

Robinson, Robert, 22 Jan 1890, 9:30 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 14, Driver, Fell out of a tub on the engine plane

Robson, Robert, 02 May 1904, aged 14, Driver [More information ...]

Robson, Thomas, 30 Jun 1928, (accident: 19 Mar 1924), aged 54, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal

Rutter, J. G., 30 Mar 1932, aged 29, Filler, struck by runaway tubs

Shepperd, William, 19 Dec 1907, aged 19, Landing Lad, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 23 Dec 1907], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Shields, Joseph, 16 Jun 1936, aged 20, Landing Lad, caught by set, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Slater, Robert, 21 Apr 1925, aged 18, Landing Lad, caught by set

Slee, Richard Coldwell, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 43, Master Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), suffocated by after-damp, exploring after explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Smith, Andrew, 18 Nov 1876, (accident: 26 Oct 1876), aged 16, Driver, crushed by tubs running amain on engine bank

Smith, Enoch, 04 Sep 1895, 3:30 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 15, Driver, deceased was probably driving too fast, and the pony swerving, the limmers were broken, and deceased thrown to the ground; the broken part of the limmers showed no signs of any defect

Smith, James, 17 Oct 1894, 4:00 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 21, Set Rider, Deceased was riding at the back of the set, when the tubs knocked some props out, causing the roof to fall on to him [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Smith, John, 12 Jul 1882, aged 22, Putter, fall of stone from side of shaft onto cage

Smith, John, 27 Oct 1882, aged 56, Waggonwayman, killed by a fall of stone from roof

Smith, Thomas, 11 Jan 1932, aged 46, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Smith, William, 06 Sep 1916, aged 19, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

South, Charles, 03 Apr 1901, (accident: 07 Mar 1899), aged 74, Wasteman, alleged to have died from injuries received by a fall of roof, on hearing the medical evidence the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes

Spark, William, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 62, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Sparnon, John, 10 May 1920, aged 18, Landing and set boy, crushed by a runaway set of full tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church)

Sparrow, James, 09 Jul 1874, aged 29, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal

Speechley, John, 25 Jan 1909, aged 36, Hewer, finger injured by pick and lock-jaw supervened

Spencer, John, 12 Dec 1903, (accident: 05 Dec 1903), aged 73, Labourer, Deceased, an old man employed at odd jobs on the surface, had occasion to cross the railway on which the empty trains of wagons drawn by the North-Eastern Railway Co.'s locomotives arrive at the colliery; as he came forward an empty train came in, then came to a standstill, and as the locomotive changes ends here deceased thought he was safe in crossing between two wagons and he did, in fact, get safely over, but while reaching back for a bag the wagons moved and crushed him.

Steel, Andrew, 19 Jan 1885, (accident: 13 Jan 1885), aged 45, Deputy, fall of side whilst clearing a fall on the engine plane

Stobbs, Ralph, 02 Mar 1897, aged 27, Onsetter, fell down shaft [More information ...]

Storey, Frederick, 08 Nov 1895, 8:40 a.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 29, Onsetter, on the arrival of the set near the shaft bottom, the lad neglected to put in the usual drags before he knocked off the tail rope at the back of the set, when the tubs ran on and jammed deceased against the shaft wall

Storey, Robert, 05 Jun 1850, 8:30 a.m., aged 35, killed in the 1850 explosion (ignition caused by naked light), left a wife and 1 child [More information ...]

Syzland, Robert, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 31, Horse Keeper, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Tate, Thomas, 11 Apr 1891, 12:30 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 17, Mason, explosion of steam boiler underground [Inspection made & Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 13 Apr 1891 pg 3 col 3; inquest - 22 May 1891 pg 3 col 4; inquiry - 06 Jun 1891 pg 3 col 5], Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Taylor, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 20, Putter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Taylor, Ridley, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 38, Waggonwayman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Taylor, Thomas Darling, 03 Jun 1904, aged 27, Shaftman, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 07 Jun 1904 pg 3] [More information ...]

Thirlaway, James, 19 Dec 1914, (accident: 14 Dec 1914), aged 34, Hewer, Deceased was leaving his working place to fill a tub, when a piece of coal fell away from the side, causing injuries to his head, from which he died on the 29th December, 1914.

Thompson, William, 31 Aug 1897, aged 60, Shifter, He was engaged clearing up the road near the face. It appeared he was possibly going in front of the tub down a slight incline, when his head caught against a canch. He had worked on the road for some time, and it is inexplicable why he should have made so serious a mistake [Inquest attended]

Tovley, Peter, 23 Jan 1884, aged 55, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Tumilty, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 67, Shifter, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Tumilty, Peter, 15 Nov 1883, aged 51, Hewer, fall of stone from the roof of the pit

Tyson, John, 01 Feb 1868, aged 21, Engineman, fell down shaft

Urwin, William, 21 Feb 1867, aged 13, Driver, crushed by tubs

Walker, John, 24 Nov 1910, aged 14, Driver, caught by set

Walker, Thomas, 17 Nov 1910, aged 60, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Wallace, Martin, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 49, Hewer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Our Lady's Catholic Church, Washington [More information ...]

Walmsley, James, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 25, Waggonwayman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Wandless, Joseph, 10 May 1899, died from injuries received [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 10 May 1899 pg 3] [date of report]

Ward, Samuel, 15 Jun 1893, 11:30 p.m., 8th hour of shift, aged 52, Stoneman, Several men were coming out-bye on the engine plane, and hearing the "set" approaching, went into refuge holes. As the set was passing, some of the tubs got off the way, and crushed deceased, who was looking out of the refuge hole, about the body, and he afterwards died from the injuries [Inspection made & inquest attended]

Watson, John, 12 Nov 1872, aged 19, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Watson, Joseph, 06 Aug 1915, aged 42, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 06 Aug 1915 pg 4 col 1]

Welsh, Francis, 09 Jun 1916, [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 09 Jun 1916 pg 4 col 2; inquest - 12 Jun 1916 pg 3 col 2]

Welsh, N., Nov 1910, [approximate date]

Wetherell, Thomas, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 22, Waggonwayman, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Whitfield, Kit, 1957, [approximate date]

Whitfield, William, 11 Aug 1874, aged 74, Wasteman, crushed by tubs

Wild, John Thomas, 23 Jan 1921, (accident: 22 Jan 1921), aged 21, Shifter, cause of death: Strain

Wilkinson, William, 04 Sep 1920, aged 14, Driver, caught by runaway tubs [More information ...]

Willey, Jack, 23 Feb 1957, aged 24, killed by a fall of roof

Williams, Joseph, 21 Aug 1896, aged 56, Hewer, Deceased and another man were hewing together when a fall of stone from slips covered him up [Inquest attended]

Willie, Robert, 30 Nov 1896, aged 52, Shifter, Deceased and another man were sent by the master shifter to remove a fall of stone, and whilst so engaged another fall occurred at a slip which completely buried him. Both were experienced men and the deputy had visited the place thrice during the night [Inquest attended] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 30 Nov 1896 pg 4]

Wilson, James, 17 Sep 1873, aged 32, Fireman, boiler explosion [More information ...]

Wilson, W. J., 06 Apr 1943, aged 32, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Winship, Matthew, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 59, Deputy, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Witts, William, 01 Aug 1870, aged 25, Engineman, by drum of hauling engine

Wood, John, 02 Mar 1885, 8:58 p.m., aged 55, Hewer, killed in the 1885 explosion (ignition caused by shot firing), Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Wood, William, 28 Sep 1910, aged 36, Chock Drawer, runaway tub [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 28 Sep 1910 pg 4 col 2; inquest - 30 Sep 1910 pg 4 col 2]

Wylam, John, 30 Mar 1898, (accident: 01 Apr 1897), aged 24, Stoneman, Deceased was engaged in repairing a waggonway, when a stone fell and struck him on the back. He died on March 30th, 1898 [Inquest attended]

Wynne, John, 05 Jan 1877, aged 16, Screenman, head crushed between waggon buffers, surface

Young, George William, 13 Aug 1879, aged 14, Helper Up, crushed by tubs on inclined plane