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About this period was discovered the very singular salt spring at Birtley, in the county of Durham ; one of the greatest arcana of nature, and which, like many more, will never be explored by man, and displays the wonderful works of the omnipotent in an eminent degree. It arises at the depth of seventy fathoms, in an engine pit erected for drawing water out of coal mines, at the extremity of a stone drift, drove two hundred yards north-east therein for the purpose of draining the water from the coal works, and what is more extraordinary, springs only in such drift in every direction, though such pit, and every other contigious thereto, have been excavated both above and below it many fathoms, where, and when it might naturally have been supposed the same spring would have been found. Its mixing itself with the fresh water in the same pit, would have occasioned its remaining unnoticed to this day, but for an accident which happened to the boiler of the engine soon after its erection. One morning the bottom of the boiler suddenly dropt out, the engine man amazed thereat, as well he might, informed the undertakers, who upon examination found it incrusted with a vast quantity of salt, and the iron totally corroded. Upon tasting the water, though incorporated with immense quantities of fresh, it was found exceedingly brackish and salt, whereupon they explored the workings, and found the above mentioned very valuable salt spring arise in such drift only, and which has since produced, and may for centuries produce 20,000 gallons per day, four times stronger than any sea water whatever, therefore it can have no communication with the sea. In consequence of this valuable discovery, an extensive manufactory of salt was established by a company of gentlemen, who, after encountering many difficulties, succeeded in bringing it to very great perfection. The quantity of water has never been known to vary, and it is as strong now as when the salt works first began. The quantity of salt made yearly is about 1000 tons. [LHTB]

June. — An explosion occurred in Wallsend colliery, by which one man lost his life. This was the first explosion which was distinctly known to have taken place at the steel mill. Some doubt remained up to this time as to whether the fire damp would explode at the spark of the steel mill or not ; but the fact was clearly ascertained on the occasion, as the person, John Selkirk, who was "playing" the mill at the time, survived the accident. [LRS]

December. — An explosion occurred in Wallsend colliery, by which unfortunate accident two men lost their lives. [LHTB]

 

 

 

• LHTB — 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.
• LRS — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by John Sykes, Published in 1833 in two volumes