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January. — This month, Letters Patent were granted to Stephen Reed, esq., of Newcastle, for an improvement of the colliery corf-bow and hook; inventions meriting general adoption, not less for their perfect safety than simplicity. The hook is also well adapted for general purposes, on board ship, in dock-yards, warehouses, and in short, in all cases where cranes are used. [LHTB]

January. — This month, Mr. W. Martin of Wallsend constructed a safety lamp for mines, for which he claimed the invention. It was very ingeniously contrived, so as to be extinguished when the atmosphere had got to an inflammable pitch. [LHTB]

January 6. — A fatal accident occurred at the Down’s Pit, Hetton colliery. Philip Snooks and Matthew Rutherford, coal hewers, got into the loop to descend into the mine to work, when they fell to the bottom, a depth of 180 fathoms, in consequence of the loop not being fast to the chain. Two masons who were working in the shaft at the time providentially escaped. [LHTB]

January 28. — An awful explosion occurred in the celebrated Hetton colliery, near Houghton-le-Spring, by which twenty human beings lost their lives, and another was so dreadfully scorched as to afford but faint hopes of his recovery. Upwards of one hundred persons were employed in the pit at the time the explosion occurred, but owing to the accident being confined to one of the workings, namely the Downs pit, the number of victims was less than might have been expected. From the evidence adduced on the coroner's inquest it appeared that the explosion was caused by the negligence or inattention of a boy who had the charge of a trap door, and whose duty was to keep it shut as much as possible, in order that the part of the pit where the men were working might be purified by a current of air. From the evidence of several witnesses experienced in the management of mines, (including Mr. George Hunter, of Painsher, viewer to the marquess of Londonderry), there existed no doubt that the general ventilation of the pit was excellent. The whole of the evidence tended to shew that, had the men been working with the Davy lamp, instead of candles, no explosion would have occurred; but, it was stated that the men, even in situations where danger existed, had an antipathy to its use, because from candles they had a better light. [LHTB]

January 29. — Died, at the advanced age of 91 years, William Scott, Baron Stowell, of Stowell Park, in the county of Gloucester, D.C.L., F.R.S., and F.S.A., Master of the Faculties, and a member of the Privy Council. Lord Stowell was born on the 17th of October, 1745, at Heworth, in the county of Durham. His mother was Jane, daughter of Henry Atkinson, hoastman, and his father, William Scott, a substantial coal-fitter and merchant, residing in Love-lane, Quayside, Newcastle. Owing to the rebellion that broke out in 1745, and the alarm then prevalent in Newcastle, which had been fortified against the Pretender, his mother, when in an advanced state of pregnancy, was lowered in a basket from the town wall, into a boat which lay in waiting to convey her to Heworth, on the southern shore of the Tyne. Here she was delivered of a boy and a girl, twins, William, afterwards Lord Stowell, and Barbara, who died young. William was educated at the Royal Grammar School, in Newcastle, but at the early age of sixteen he availed himself of his claim as a native of the county of Durham to a scholarship in Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and before attaining his seventeenth year he was entered as a student in the middle temple. In November, 1764, he took his bachelor’s degree. In the following month, he was elected probationary fellow of Oxford College, and further, one of the greatest compliments that could have been paid to his learning, he was at the age of twenty, appointed college tutor. In 1767, he took his master’s degree, and in 1772, May 30, he became B.C.L., having determined to follow the civil law as a profession. In the year 1774, he was elected Camden reader of ancient history, vacant by the death of Mr. Warneford, and never were the duties of the professorship so ably fulfilled since its first institution in 1662. His lectures are said to have been attended by the largest concourse of academics ever known, who were equally delighted with the classical eloquence of his style, the admirable arrangement of his subject, and the luminous information conveyed by him. In these particulars they successfully competed with the course of lectures delivered by the Vinerian professor, Blackstone, which they equalled in popularity. Of Scott’s merits in this office both Dr. Parr and Gibbon have written in the highest terms of commendation. Until 1779 he remained at Oxford; but in that year he took the degree of D.C.L., and enrolled himself a member of the College of Doctors at Law, practising in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts. Shortly after settling in the metropolis he became enrolled amongst the wits in an age that could boast of Dr. Johnson, Sir William Jones, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. With Johnson, indeed, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, he was soon on terms of sincere friendship, which continued till the day of their death. His lordship left a fortune of nearly £250,000., a sum which, though very large, could hardly be termed surprisingly so, considering the income he had enjoyed for so long a period, and his extremely prudent habits. He carried, indeed, his views on economy so far that he refused to make his son a sufficient allowance to enable him to marry, and the disappointment was said to have led Mr. Scott into intemperate habits, under which his constitution gave way, and he died about two months before his father. In one thing, however, Lord Stowell was exceedingly liberal — his love of sights — and many hundred pounds were expended by him in visiting every exhibition, however contemptible, which appeared in London. But in his court the eccentricities of his character were forgotten in the solidity of his judgments and the inimitable felicity of his language, and he has left behind him an imperishable name in the records of English civil law. There is a good portrait of Lord Stowell in the Guildhall, Newcastle. [LRF]

February 2. — Died, Mr. Mark Scott, of Fawdon colliery, aged 49 years, where he had been situated upward of 25 years, and was much respected. He was about to resume his occupation as overman that morning about two o'clock, when he was driven into the pit by the wind, which was blowing very strong at the time, and was precipitated to the bottom, a depth of about fifty fathoms. [LHTB]

February 12. — Mr. Mark Scott, overman at Fawdon colliery, was blown down the shaft of that pit and killed on the spot. [LRF]

March 16. — Wednesday morning, the boiler of the engine at Cramlington colliery burst, and three persons lost their lives by the accident. A young man, named John Dawson, who had charge of the engine, was one of the sufferers, and the other two were boys, who were passing on their way to school. [LHTB]

March 18. — As Robert and Philip Marshall, and Alexander Hall, og Hallington, in the parish of St. John Lee, Northumberland, were digging for coals near Kirkheaton, they found a human skeleton in a deep hole under a large flat stone, the head had been put downwards, and the arms and legs had been bent upon the body. From the appearance of the remains they were supposed to have been those of a tall woman, and there was little doubt from the position in which they were found, and the nature of the place, that she had been murdered. [LRF]

March 18. — As some men were employed in digging for coal near Kirkheaton, Northumberland, they discovered the skeleton of a female, in a deep cavity over which a flat stone had been placed. The body had been thrown in head downwards and there seemed little doubt that the deceased had been murdered. [LRL]

March 19. — Saturday, a fire was discovered breaking out at South Hetton colliery, about seven o'clock on the evening, which was fortunately got under way with no greater damage than what was done to the south winding machine, where it originated. An excellent fire engine from Hetton and the active exertions of men from that and neighbouring collieries, combined with the zealous energies of the workmen of the colliery, speedily dispelled any apprehension of further damage, and secured the business of the colliery from any material interruption. [LHTB]

April 18. — As Robert and Philip Marshall, and Alexander Hall, of Hallington, in the parish of St. John Lee, Northumberland, were digging for coals, in a small stream, which takes its source from the west part of the Kirkheaton estate, they found a human skeleton, in a deep hole, which lay under a large flat stone ; the head had been put downwards, about five feet deep, and the arms and legs had been bent back upon the body. From the appearance of the remains, they are supposed to have been those of a tall woman ; and there was little doubt, from the position in which they were found, and the nature of the place, that she had been murdered. [LHTB]

May 23. — The prospectus of "The Durham Coal Company" issued. The capital to be £500,000, in shares of £50. The shares were quickly taken up, and the company soon afterwards leased royalties at Whitw orth, Byers Green, Gordon, Evenwood, and Coxhoe. [This company was dissolved in 1854, and a¬bout £5 per share returned to the shareholders. The pit at Whitworth Park had proved a most disastrous speculation, and it was "laid in" in 1841, after an outlay of nearly £40,000 [LRSN]

June 28. — That portion of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway between Hexham and Haydon Bridge was opened with great splendour. Two trains, one drawn by the Hercules locomotive, manufactured by Stephenson, and the second, consisting of six railway coaches and eleven trucks, drawn by the Samson engine, manufactured by Messrs. Hawthorn, left Blaydon about eleven o’clock with the directors and their friends, and the party arrived at Haydon Bridge a little before two. At various parts of the line flags were hoisted, and discharges of guns took place as the trains passed, and scarcely a spot on either side of the river which commanded a view of the procession was without its group of spectators, who by their acclamations testified the interest they took in the scene. The numerous company spent a delightful day without the slightest accident. [LRF]

July 5. — A wagon of coals was conveyed from Haswell colliery, to Hendon, near Sunderland, by the Durham and Sunderland railway, being the first coal wagon that had passed along that line. [LHTB]

July 11. — As George Wilkinson, esq., of Durham, was driving his lady and Mrs. Wilkinson, senior, in the direction of Seaham, in a phaeton, he attempted to cross the Seaham railway, when a train of waggons was descending the inclined plane. The horse became restive, and would not proceed; in consequence of which, the foremost waggon struck the phaeton, which, together with the inmates and horse, were hurried along at a fearful rate down the incline. A man, who was in the waggon, snatched Mrs. Geo. Wilkinson from her perilous situation, and placed her in safety beside himself. Mr. W. soon after fell from his seat, and the horse became disengaged from the vehicle, which was rapidly falling to pieces from the violence of the collision. Mrs. Wilkinson, senior, however, kept her seat, and gently rolled off at the bottom of the hill when the waggons had almost ceased to move; after having been impetuously carried along somewhere about 180 yards. The carriage was broken into at least 50 pieces; and, wonderful to relate, none of the party received any serious injury. [LRF]

July 15. — Died, at Richmond, Surrey, in his 58th year, Sir Matthew White Ridley, of Blagdon and Heaton, in the county of Northumberland, Bart., M.P. for Newcastle. He was born August 18th, 1778 the eldest son of Matthew, the second baron by Sarah, daughter and sole heiress of Benjamin Colburne, of Bath, esq. He was educated at Oxford, and took his degree of B.A., March 9, 1798. He was first elected member for Newcastle on his father’s retirement at the general election of 1812. He sat during eight parliaments, and for the space of 24 years. At the two last elections he had to encounter a poll, but the result proved the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen. His principles were those of the old whigs; and in his address at the last election he declared himself a sincere and practical reformer but in the extreme measures which characterised the later periods of his political career they inclined to conservatism. Sir Matthew married, August 13, 1803, Laura, youngest daughter of George Hawkins, esq., by whom he had six sons and six daughters. A portrait of Sir Matthew, painted by James Ramsay, esq., has been published, drawn on stone by W. Taylor. [LRF]

July 19. — An explosion took place in Hebburn colliery, on the Tyne, by which the under viewer, an overman, another workman, and two boys were killed, and several other persons were much burnt. [LRL]

August 8. — The Brandling Junction Railway was commenced at the Felling, near Gateshead. The first turf was cut in the presence of R. W. Brandling, esq., and a party of gentlemen, who had assembled to witness the first effort to forward this desirable undertaking. [LRF]

August 22. — A boy named George Young, about 7 years of age, while sitting behind his trap door down one of the Cowpen pits, a large stone several tons weight fell upon him from the roof, and before be was got out, life was extinct. [LHTB]

August 30. — About eight miles of the eastern division of the Sunderland and Durham railway was opened, by several trains of wagons laden with coal, being brought along a new branch from Haswell colliery to the main line, and conveyed thereon to Sunderland, where the coals were shipped amidst the loud huzzas of the spectators, the firing of guns and a numerous display of flags hoisted on many conspicuous places. [LHTB]

September. — The first cargo of coal from Belmont, a colliery lately won, belonging to William Bell and Co., was shipped by the Durham and Sunderland railway on board the Sunderland packet. [LHTB]

September. — The Tees Coal Trade Shipping Co. established at Stockton. [LRSN]

October 13. — The first cargo of coals from Belmont colliery, belonging to W. Bell and Co. , was shipped at Sunderland. [LRL]

October 13. — The first coals from West Hetton colliery, the property of Colonel Braddyll and partners, were shipped in the Wear, via the Durham and Sunderland Railway. [LRL]

October 31. — As Thomas Knox, aged 51, a pitman employed at Little Houghton colliery, Northumberland, was hewing, he accidentally broke into an old working, and the water immediately rushed upon him, so as to prevent his escape. Knox's son and others who were near the shaft saved themselves, but were unable to render any assistance to Knox, whose body was not got out of the working until Sunday, November 30th. He left a widow and five children. [LHTB]

November. — This month, a singular discovery of a seam of coal was made in Berwick. While some alterations were being made in the pavement in the yard behind Mr. Ralph Smith's house in Bridge Street, the workmen dug up a quantity of coal. Curiosity dictated a further search, and the consequence was that at the depth of about 6 inches from the surface, they came upon a seam of coal, which measured 3 feet 1 inch in thickness. The quality was put to the test, and pronounced excellent. The treasure, however, was not improved, but was again covered in with the earth. Several years previously a similar discovery was made in Eastern Lane, the present, therefore appears to be a continuation of that seam. [LHTB]

November 12. — Saturday, an explosion took place in Jarrow pit, near South Shields, by which four young men were injured ; two of them so severely that little hope was entertained of their recovery. [LHTB]

November 21. — On the morning of this day, Monday a body of water, supposed to be from the sea, broke into a pit at Whitley colliery near North Shields. With great presence of mind, every person employed in the mine at the time hastened to the shaft of the first indication of danger, and were speedily all brought safe to bank. A number of horses, however, suffered underground. The shaft of the mine is situated about a miles from, but the workings extend near to the sea. [LHTB]

December. — The quantity of coals shipped from the river Tyne, in the year 1836, London and coastwise alone, amounted to 754,961 Newcastle chaldrons. Of the land and water sale of coals on the Tyne no public entry is made; but it has been ascertained that it approximates to 200,000 Newcastle chaldrons annually. The over-sea sale is not here taken into account: so that the Tyne vend of coals for the year may be safely put down at 770,000 Newcastle chaldrons of 53 cwt. each; or two millions, forty thousand, five hundred tons. Reduced to tons, the vend of the river Wear for the same period is one million, fifty-five thousand four hundred and thirteen; being rather more than half the enormous vend of the Tyne. [LHTB]

December 25. — At night, an explosion of foul air took place in the five-quarter seam of High Heworth colliery, near Gateshead, by which one man was severely burnt. The accident arose from what is called by the pitmen, a sudden "waft," and was very limited in its extent, as three other men, working near the sufferer, escaped unhurt. On the morning of Tuesday the 27th, another accident occurred at the same colliery, but in a different part of the mine, called the Hutton seam. On this latter occasion, two men lost their lives, and a third was severely injured. The explosion took place at a part where there was a communication with the five-quarter seam. The bodies of the unfortunate men were recovered almost immediately, and an inquest was held on them on the 28th, and from the evidence adduced, there could be no doubt that the cause of the accident, like most of those which occur in coal mines, was to be attributed to the circumstance of one of the sufferers, a heedless young man, having neglected those precautions on entering the mine, which, from the previous accident in the five-quarter seam, rendered prudence absolutely necessary. No blame was attributable to the managers of the mine, and the jury returned a verdict of "accidental death." [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.
• LRF — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by T. Fordyce, Published in 1867
• LRL — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by John Latimer, Published in 1857
• LRSN — Local Records of Stockton and the Neighbourhood by Thomas Richmond. Published in one volume in 1868.