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Local Records
1842
January 8. — Saturday, that immense undertaking, the Spital Tongues colliery tunnel, belonging to Messrs. Porter and Latimer, was opened throughout the entire length, from the colliery to the river Tyne near the Glasshouse bridge. The extreme length of the tunnel is 2½ miles : total descent from the entrance at the colliery to the level of the spouts for shipping the coals, 222 feet. This line of railway is worked by a stationary engine, the loaded wagons (containing a chaldron each) taking after them the rope to draw the empty wagons back. The power of the engine is 40-horse, and it will draw 32 empty wagons back; and should the trade require the quantity, three runs, or twelve keels, could be shipped in an hour. The gauge of the rails is 4 feet 8 inches. The wagons are of an improved form, invented by W. E. Gillespie, the engineer, who had the whole management of this stupendous work. The tunnel from end to end, is arched with bricks, and has an inverted stone arch at bottom. Dimensions inside, 7 feet 5 inches high, by six feet three inches wide. The workmen, to the number of two hundred, were regaled with a substantial supper and strong ale, supplied by Mrs. Dixon, of the Unicorn inn, Bigg-market, Newcastle. The Albion band attended, and enlivened the joyous occasion with their music. The tunnel was commenced in 1839, and it is a remarkable circumstance that the whole of the strata worked was composed of nothing but solid clay, neither rock or any other impediment presenting itself. The tunnel commences at the surface, and its greatest depth is 85 feet; its course is south-east, running under the Moor and continuing to St. Thomas's church, Barras Bridge, and so on until it reaches the river, where coal spouts are erected, for the loading of vessels. [LHTB]
January 10. — Monday, the ceremony of opening the tunnel formed at Shildon, near Bishop Auckland, co. Durham, for the purpose of facilitating the communication between the extensive coal-field in that neighbourhood and the shipping port at Middlesbro', took place amidst great rejoicings. Hitherto, the coals from this district had been conveyed along two inclines, called the Black Boy and the Brussleton inclines. This operation was frequently found to be attended with great delay; and to be injurious, likewise, to the wagons and coals. To obviate these inconveniences and loss, several spirited individuals projected the formation of a tunnel underneath the hilly ground on which Old Shildon stands; and after making the necessary preparations, the work was commenced on the 22nd of April 1839; twenty-one months only having been occupied in its Construction The tunnel had now advanced to state of completion, at an expense of about £100,000.; and the above was the day fixed upon for placing the last brick in the position of the key stone of the arch, at the last junction of the tunnel. It is 1300 yards long, or nearly three-quarters of a mile. Its height is 23 feet 4 inches, and its breadth 21 feet at the point whence the arch springs. The greatest depth from the surface is about 20 fathoms. The tunnel is constructed for two lines of railway; and, during its formation, was worked by seven shafts from the surface. [LHTB]
February 17. — Coals from Hough Hall, or Elvet Colliery, Durham, were brought down the Durham and Sunderland Railway for the first time, a good seam of coal having been found there. [LHTB]
March 12. — Saturday night, a destructive fire broke out on board of a newly-built brig, called the Storm, belonging to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, laden with coals, while at sea on her passage to London. The fire was found raging in the bulkhead of that vessel. The hatchway was covered over in the hopes of stifling the flames, but in the course of an hour the terrible element burst forth through the deck, and the master, seeing there was no chance of saving the vessel, altered her course, and steered for the Essex coast. They were at that time upwards of ten miles out from the land, with a strong gale blowing direct from off the coast, and it was nearly four o'clock on Sunday morning before the vessel was got on shore. At that period the fire presented an awful appearance; it was issuing from the head of the vessel with great violence, and it appeared impossible to prevent her being burnt to the water's edge. It was several hours before the fire was entirely extinguished. [LHTB]
April 7. — This day the tunnel which had been constructed for the conveyance of coals from Spital Tongues Colliery to the river Tyne, was opened in the presence of the Mayor and several gentlemen, members of the Corporation. and others, who met at the terminus near Tyne-street, to witness the descent of the first train of wagons. This spirited undertaking was commenced by Messrs. Porter and Latimer, the owners of Spital Tongues Colliery, on 27th June, 1839, thus two years and nearly ten months were required to complete the work. The tunnel is nearly two miles in length, and its form is similar to that of the Thames Tunnel; it is 6 feet 3 inches in width, and 7 feet 5 inches in height, is cased throughout with strong masonry and brick work, and passes beneath the Town-moor, the Barras-bridge, the bed of Pandon-dean, the Shield-field, &c., on its way to the river. The train by which the tunnel was opened consisted of eight wagons, four of which were filled with coals, and the others were occupied by a band of musicians, many ladies and gentlemen, the engineer, and several others who had been engaged in the work. It started from the colliery a little after one P.M., and on making its appearance at the other end was greeted by the firing of cannon, the display of colours, and with the loud cheers of those who had assembled to witness its arrival. After congratulating Messrs. Porter and Latimer on the successful issue of their gigantic undertaking, the mayor and other gentlemen were invited to partake of refreshments provided in a tent which had been erected on the adjoining ground. The tunnel carries somewhat less than twelve keels per hour, but the number of wagons laden or empty which the engine is enabled to draw as given in a former paragraph, is considerably overrated, and the statements made above may be considered as corrective of the general details of the former. (Information of Messrs. Porter and Latimer.) [LHTB]
May 12. — Thursday afternoon, the ceremony of opening the new dock at Middlesbro'-on-Tees, designed by Mr. Cubitt, and ably executed under the superintendence of Mr. G. Turnbull, C.E, took place and not only were all the inhabitants astir to witness the inspiring sight, but the town received a large influx of visitors from Stockton, Darlington, &c., who poured in by railway shortly after noon-day, when the rain of the forenoon had ceased to threaten its intention to swamp the whole proceedings. There were, of course, all the customary observances of exploding gunpowder, displaying flags, and shouting "huzza," with shops close shut, and eyes wide open, in every direction; and at about three o'clock, when from eight to ten thousand persons had assembled on the margin of the dock, the gates were opened, and several vessels admitted. That friend of commerce and of man. Peace, was appropriately honoured with precedence on this occasion. This vessel is of Whitby, Captain Adamson, 260 tons. The Friends, Brown, Whitby, 420 tons, followed. Capts. Adamson and Brown were the two oldest shipmasters present; both of them have been in the habit of visiting the port ever since the coal-trade of the Tees commenced. They drew lots for the honour of precedence, and Captain Adamson was the winner. The third vessel was the Unity, Holt, Feversham, 250 tons; fourth Louisa, Newton, Whitby, 270 tons; and the fifth, Neptune, McInnes, Rochester, 220 tons. The Barbara, Henderson, Stockton; Autumn, Whitby; Alaric, Brixham; Esther, Middlesbro'; Neptune, Whitby; Navarin, Whitby, and other vessels, also entered the dock. There are ten drops, with 22 feet of water; and under one of these drops, the Peace, a vessel of 11 keels, was placed and loaded by Mr. W. Turnbull, agent for Messrs. Richardson. The coals were put on board faster than they could be trimmed, and the loading had occasionally to be stopped for a few minutes. They were put in at the rate of a wagon every three-fourths of a minute. The loading was completed in about an hour and a half, and the Peace was then hauled out of the dock amidst anything but a peaceful roar of cannon. The other vessels were loaded at the same time. The dock company gave a handsome cold collation to about 70 of their friends, at the Exchange Hotel. Thomas Jennet, esq., of Stockton, was in the chair; John Wilkinson, esq., of Stockton, vice. Amongst the company were Messrs. Joseph Pease, William Turnbull, R. Craggs, W. Fallows, &c. Dinners were also given to the mariners in the port, the workpeople, &c.; and all was hilarity and enjoyment in the good town of Middlesbro'. Worthily to commemorate the day, it was proposed to establish a Seamen's Hospital in the town, in connexion with a Dispensary. [LHTB]
May 13. — The Royal Assent was given to the Stanhope and Tyne Railroad Bill, the Great North of England, Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway (No. 1) Bill, and the Northern Coal Mining Company Bill. [LHTB]
May 27. — The winning of coal at Oakridge colliery, Gateshead, by the Messrs. Easton, was celebrated by the ringing of the church bells. [LHTB]
May 30. — The opening for coal traffic on the Kibblesworth line of railway took place, in the presence of the owners, Mr. Southern, the managing partner and viewer of the colliery, and Mr. John Bourne, the engineer of the railway. The morning being favourable, an immense concourse of people assembled to witness the event, which was enlivened by Messrs. Hawthorn's amateur band attending and playing appropriate tunes. The train for the procession, consisting of trucks fitted up with seats for the owners and their friends, accompanied by the band, being ready, preceded by wagons filled with coals, many pieces weighing about a quarter of a ton each, it moved off from the colliery about half-past eleven, and descended the inclined plane in beautiful style to the Team river, where it was attached to a rope 2,200 yards in length, worked by a stationary engine of eighty horse power erected at the Black Fell. The signal having been given that all was ready, the train was again put in motion, and ascended the inclined plane to the Black Fell, passing underneath the new carriage road at Longacres, also underneath the Durham old and new turnpike roads. Crowds of people were collected at each bridge to witness the passage of the train. At the Black Fell the railway is connected with that of Springwell colliery, down which the coals were sent for shipment at Jarrow. The coal which is known in the market as "West Ayton Moor," is of superior quality for household purposes, and an invaluable gas and coking coal. The gentlemen afterwards returned to Kibblesworth Hall, where a handsome entertainment was prepared by the owners. Refreshments were also provided for the workmen, and their wives and daughters were invited to tea at the hall, terminating the day by dancing. [LHTB]
June 7. — Tuesday morning, an explosion of fire-damp took place in Elemore pit, near Durham, when seven men were severely burnt. [LHTB]
September 17. — The spirited owners of the Castle Eden new colliery having won their Hutton seam, a coal of the first quality, gave a splendid dejeuner to their friends, on the above day, Saturday. The beautiful and romantic Dene was chosen for the fete; and a splendid and delightful one it proved. under the auspices of Mrs. Greenwell, the lady of the principal proprietor. A long row of tables, arranged under a tent, was covered with a profusion of delicacies, to which 118 ladies and gentlemen sat down; the chair being filled by Mr. Greenwell, and the vice-chair by Mr. Richardson. The scene was much enlivened by an efficient band that was in attendance. At seven o'clock in the evening the merry dance began, and was kept up with great spirit till a late hour. [LHTB]
October 6. — A splendid vessel, the longest ever built of the banks of the Wear, was launched from the building yard of Mr. John Watson, at Pallion, near Sunderland. She was built for Richard Greenwell, esq., and was called "The Castle Eden," in commemoration of the successful winning of the colliery of that name, of which that gentleman is one of the principal proprietors. [LRL]
November 12. — When the workmen at Wingate Grange colliery were sawing up a tree, they found a birds nest, containing three perfect eggs, in the solid wood, about a foot from the bark. [LHTB]
November 15. — The first coals from Brancepeth Park colliery, the property of Messrs. Love and Co., were sent via the West Durham and Clarence Railways for shipment at Stockton. [LRL]
December. — About the end of this month a fine seam of steam coal, six feet thick, was won at Broomhill colliery, Northumberland. [LRL]
December 9. — At Fenwick colliery, near Belford, there was a sudden inrush of water, (occasioned by an accidental breech in a wall which separated the new from the old working) which alarmed the men ; and three of the five that were in the pit, ran to the rope, and made their escape. The exit of two brothers, named Thomas Alexandee and Andrew Alexander, aged 24 and 14, was cut off by the water, and they perished. Verdict "Accidental Death". [LHTB]
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