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July 3. — This evening, an explosion took place in the Juliet pit, belonging to Messrs. Lamb and Co., at Harraton Outside, near Chester-le-street, by which dreadful accident eleven human beings lost their lives, and all the horses down the shaft were destroyed. Had it happened a few hours later, the number of pitmen and boys in the mine would have been forty of fifty. No cause could be assigned for this lamentable catastrophe. [LHTB]

September 27. — The Stockton and Darlington railway was formally opened by the proprietors for the use of the public. It is 25 miles in length. To give eclât to the public opening of the road a programme was issued, stating that the proprietors would assemble at the permanent engine below Brusselton Tower, about nine miles west of Darlington, at eight o'clock. Accordingly the committee assembled at the bottom of Brusselton engine plane, near West Auckland, and here the carriages loaded with coals and merchandise, were drawn up the eastern ridge, by the Brusselton engine, a distance of 1,960 yards, in 7½ minutes. and then lowered down the plane on the east side of the hill, 880 yards in 5 minutes. At the foot of the plane the locomotive engine was ready to receive the carriages, and here the novelty of the scene, and the fineness of the day, had attracted an immense concourse of spectators, the fields on each side of the railway being literally covered with ladies, and gentlemen on horseback and pedestrians of all kinds. The train of carriages were then attached to the locomotive engine, built by Mr. George Stephenson, in the following order :– 1. Locomotive engine, with the engineer (Mr. George Stephenson) and assistants. 2. Tender, with coals water; next, six waggons, loaded with coals and flour; then an elegant covered coach, with the committee, and other proprietors of the railway; then 21 waggons, fitted up for passengers; and, last of all, six waggons, loaded with coals, making, altogether, a train of 38 carriages, exclusive of the engine and tender. Tickets were distributed to the number of near 300, but, such was the pressure and crowd, that both loaded and empty carriages were instantly with passengers. The signal being given, the engine started of with this immense train of carriages, and, such was its velocity, that in some parts, the speed was frequently 12 miles an hour, and, at that time, the number of passengers were counted to be 450, which, together with the coals, merchandise, and carriages, would amount to near 90 tons. After some little delay in arranging the procession, the engine, with its load, arrived at Darlington, a distance of 8¾ miles in 65 minutes. Six waggons loaded with coals, intended for Darlington, were then left behind, and, obtaining a fresh supply of water and, arranging the procession to accommodate a band of music and passengers from Darlington, the engine set off again, and arrived at Stockton in 3 hours and 7 minutes, including stops, the distance being nearly 12 miles. On the arrival of the procession at Darlington, it was received with bursts of applause. By the time the cavalcade arrived at Stockton, where it was received with great joy, there were not less than 600 persons within, and hanging by the carriages, which excited a deep interest and admiration, Part of the workmen were entertained at Stockton, and part at Yarm, and there was a grand dinner for the proprietors and their most distinguished guests, to the number of 102, at the Town-hall in Stockton, Thomas Meynell, esq., of Yarm, was in the chair, and the mayor of the town acted as vice-president. The first rail of the Stockton and Darlington railway was laid by Thomas Meynell, esq., of the Friarage, Yarm, near St. John's Well, Stockton, where the depot for coal is now erected, on the 23rd of May, 1822, with public ceremonies and rejoicings. [LHTB]

October 5. — An explosion took place in Hebburn colliery by which four men were suffocated by the after-damp. The carbureted hydrogen gas took fire at a steel mill which was employed while the Davy lamps were cooling. [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.