Description

No. 83 in the list. This accident happened at North Biddick Colliery on the 16th December, in the Low South Maudlin Seam, whereby Thomas Laverick, borer, Thomas Maddison and George Gouldsbro', shifters, all young men, lost their lives.

It appears that there was a place being driven towards some old workings which contained gas and water, and David Shield, borer, with Thomas Laverick as his assistant, were engaged boring, when they holed into the old workings from which rushed gas and water. The gas had evidently been too much for Laverick, and Shield, feeling that he was fast becoming overpowered, made his way out. About 200 yards outbye Thomas Maddison and George Gouldsbro' were working, and on seeing Shield come out, knew something must be wrong, and bravely rushed into the place to save Laverick, but, unfortunately, on reaching him they, too, were overcome by the effects of the gas, and were suffocated before assistance could reach them. Very shortly after the accident occurred, on word being sent to him, the undermanager and others went to the place to try if possible to rescue the three men. After making some alterations in the ventilation, and getting as much fresh air thrown into the place as they possibly could, they succeeded, after some hours, in getting to the men, and safely plugging the bore-hole, but found that the men had been dead sometime.

The place was afterwards examined, and it was found to have been worked in every way in compliance with General Rule 13.

An inquest was held on the 19th December. The following is part of the evidence given

Mr. W. Foggin, the manager of the colliery, during his examination said that Shields and Laverick were boring in a place approaching some old workings. It was expected to reach the latter, which were about 100 years old, at about 100 yards from where the men were boring. He was guarded partly by plans of the old workings, but from what had since transpired they were, he found, not correct. All the requirements of the Act of Parliament had been observed. Owing to the fact that the old plans were not to be relied on, instructions were given to take extreme precautions in boring.

David Shield said he was a borer, and went down the pit on the 16th December, and took with him all necessary gear and tackle. lie was assisted by Thomas Laverick. Work was commenced at about 5 o'clock, and went on steadily until the borehole was 10 yards in length. He was visited during this time by the master-shifter, and about a quarter of an hour after the latter left he found they had holed or got a "breaker." Then all arrangements were made, care being taken to see that all was safe, to take off the rods, no signs being shown at the time of either gas or water. After having taken off nine rods, and also taken down the machine, the remaining six rods were left in the hole. Laverick then took the mell in his hand, to be in readiness to drive a plug in as soon as the other rods were taken out. As soon as the rods were withdrawn a rush of water and gas came away with them. He and Laverick were both knocked down by the suddenness of the rush, but recovered and endeavoured to force the plug into the hole. Laverick only partly hit the plug, and it seemed as though he had been overpowered with the bad gas which was issuing from the hole, and faintly made some allusion to help. He knew nothing more until he found himself at the bottom of the shaft amongst some men.

This was all the evidence of importance, after which the jury returned their verdict. They unanimously found that the deceased men bad come to their deaths by being suffocated by a sudden rush of foul air from old workings, and that the case was accidental; and further, that they believed every precaution necessary had been taken by Mr. Foggin to prevent such a calamity.

The manager afterwards had samples of the gas and water examined, when it was proved that the gas these men died from was sulphuretted hydrogen.

Census Data

Please note: the census extracts shown here are our 'best guess match' to the person shown on this page and is not intended to be definitive — only knowledge of the family would allow this.

Tombstone

Mines Inspectors Report Entry

Sources

• 1881 Census — taken 3rd April, 1881
• 1890 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6346), Newcastle District (No. 3) by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 17, Accident Number: 83 Where to find this report
• 1890 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6346), Newcastle District (No. 3) by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 6 Where to find this report
• Church/Cemetery photograph (T-00902-01-0002) © Kev Duncan
• Headstone(s) in All Saints Churchyard, Penshaw
• Tombstone photograph (T-00921-01-0002) © Kev Duncan

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