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Joseph Fenwick
| Age: | |
| Died: | 19th Jan 1860 |
| Accident: | 19th Jan 1860 |
| Born: | |
| Colliery: | Medomsley |
| Company: | |
| Occupation: | |
| Notes: | breaking of rope |
| Buried: | [not known] |
| Category: |
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| Description | |
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19/01 Medomsley, belonging to the Consett Iron Company ; by this accident three persons lost their lives in the following manner, viz. :-
The rope roll of engine was originally fitted up with flat ropes which led direct to the pullies over the shaft ; but subsequently the rope roll was arranged for round ropes which naturally oscillated along the roll and diverged from the straight line to the pullies ; the roll itself was at the same time enlarged whilst the original horns were retained, and which in this case projected less effectually than before.
As the rope was alternately used for drawing coals and water, and frequently disjoined at an off-take joint, a considerable quantity of slack was apt to accumulate underneath the drum, which had occurred in the present case, so that when the three men had entered the cage and were in the act of ascending, the rope suddenly overtopped one of the horns and fell down upon the axle of the drum, and was there snapped in two, precipitating the unfortunate men to the bottom of the shaft, which was 59 fathoms in depth.
No blame was attachable as to mismanagement, but strict orders were given so to guard the roll and to guide the rope in future as utterly to prevent the like occurrence.
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| Related Articles | |
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| Pub. Date | Article (Newspaper) |
|---|---|
| 28 Jan 1860 | Pit Accident At Medomsley, Three Men Killed (Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury) |
| 28 Jan 1860 | Fatal Accident, Three Men Killed (Morpeth Herald) |
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| Sources | |
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- 1860 Mines Inspectors Report
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| Researchers | |
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