Description

No. 251 on the list also occurred at Wingate Grange Colliery on the 17th June, and caused the death of a putter who was also employed as an onsetter at the Hutton Seam of the Lady pit. At the shaft in which this accident happened the cages run to the Harvey Seam, which is about 133 feet below the Hutton Seam, so that when one cage is at the latter seam the other is in the shaft, 133 feet from the surface. The deceased in order to send some full tubs to the surface, signalled for the cage to be sent to the hanging on, which was done. It was placed at the right-hand side; but he evidently thought it was at the other for he ran a full tub in at that side and he was carried with it to the sump below tile Harvey Seam hanging on, in which he was afterwards found quite dead. The Hutton Seam was only being opened out, and as the quantity of coal to be sent from it to the surface was small, the deceased, who was a strong youth, was chosen to take the tubs from the hewers at the faces and put them into the cages. Chains were provided for fencing the shaft and were there and efficient, but at the time were down to allow of the tubs being put into the cage. The light provided was good and there was a chock to keep back the remaining tubs ; the gradient on the flat sheets next to the shaft was about ¼ inch in 12 feet.

I suggested to the manager that he should substitute gates for the chains, as they afford more protection to the opening to the shaft, and he promised he would have some put on. This has since been done.

Mines Inspectors Report Entry

Sources

• 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 18 Where to find this report
• 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 53, Accident Number: 251 Where to find this report

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