William Smart
A dreadful explosion took place in Wallsend colliery (Russell's), by which fifty-two men lost their lives. The explosion shook the ground like an earthquake, and made the furniture dance in the surrounding houses. This alarming the neighbourhood, the friends and relatives hurried to the spot, when a heart-rending scene of distress ensued. The greatest exertions were instantly made by Mr. Buddle, the viewer, who as soon as it was practicable, descended with his assistants, when a most melancholy scene presented itself. At the time of the explosion there were fifty-six men in the pit, of which number four only survived. The bodies of the deceased were most dreadfully scorched, and many of them most strangely distorted. Forty-six of the bodies were buried at Wallsend, fourteen of whom, being relations, were buried in one grave; some of the remainder were buried at the Ballast hills, and some at Wallsend old church, amidst sorrowing spectators.
Pub.
Date | Article (Newspaper) |
|---|
| 30 Oct 1821 | Dreadful Event, [From a Newcastle paper.] (The Times) |
| 03 Nov 1821 | Dreadful Catastrophes (Westmorland Gazette) |
| 29 Nov 1821 | News (The Times) |
- Northumberland & Cumberland Mining Disasters by Maureen Anderson, Published by Wharncliffe Books, 2009, ISBN 1-845630-81-5
- Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham by M.A. Richardson. Published in five volumes in 1844.
- Parish Records
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