Durham Mining Museum - Memorial Index

Here we present a number of photographs of the memorials raised for those killed in mining disasters. Some of the images are, unfortunately, not very good - this will be corrected when good weather and free time coincide!

If you know of any other mining memorials - then please Mail: Webmaster especially their location.

Disaster Memorials

Date	Colliery, Mine, etc.	Lives	Cause
18 Aug 1708	Fatfield	69	Explosion
11 Apr 1797	Lumley	31	Explosion
11 Oct 1799	Lumley	39	Explosion
25 May 1812	Felling	92	Explosion
09 Oct 1819	Lumley	13	Explosion
25 Oct 1824	Lumley	14	Explosion
30 May 1826	Stargate	38	Explosion
20 Jul 1827	Lumley	1	Explosion
18 Jun 1835	Wallsend	102	Explosion
28 Jun 1839	St. Hilda	51	Explosion
28 Sep 1844	Haswell	95	Explosion
08 Oct 1855	Walker Rolling Mills	8	Boiler explosion
02 Mar 1860	Burradon	74	Explosion
16 Jan 1862	New Hartley	204	Trapped underground
19 Jan 1871	Wheatley Hill	5	Inundation
25 Oct 1871	Seaham	34	Explosion
26 Sep 1876	Wheatley Hill	4	Explosion
18 Jan 1878	Thornley	4	Explosion
08 Sep 1880	Seaham	164	Explosion
16 Feb 1882	Trimdon Grange	74	Explosion
18 Apr 1882	Tudhoe	37	Explosion
02 Mar 1885	Usworth	42	Explosion
02 Dec 1886	Elemore	28	Explosion
24 Oct 1887	Walker	8	Explosion
11 Apr 1891	Usworth	4	Boiler Explosion
13 Apr 1896	Brancepeth	20	Explosion
14 Oct 1906	Wingate Grange	26	Explosion
28 Jan 1908	Roachburn	3	Inrush of clay, sand, moss and water
20 Feb 1908	Washington Glebe	14	Explosion
16 Feb 1909	West Stanley	168	Explosion
11 May 1910	Wellington	137	Explosion
13 Aug 1916	Woodhorn	13	Explosion
24 Feb 1923	Medomsley	8	Cage fell down shaft
30 Mar 1925	Montagu View Pit	38	Inrush
22 Aug 1947	Louisa Pit	22	Explosion
29 May 1951	Easington	83	Explosion
13 Feb 1992	Wearmouth	2

Rest of the UK
Date	Colliery, Mine, etc.	Lives	Cause
1758	Wrenfraith	10
1764	Winch Pond	18
1770	Wrenfraith	17
1779	Winch Pond	11
14 Mar 1788	Llansamlet	13	Explosion caused by naked lights
10 Jul 1788	Waunduu	6
12 May 1795	Fire Engine	20
1806	Mostyn	36	Explosion
Apr 1807	Mostyn	26	Explosion
10 Mar 1809	Mostyn	22
07 May 1812	Lefel Bryn Morgan	5
09 Jun 1820	Cwmgwrach	5
1825	Cwmllynfell	59
20 May 1828	Flint	11	Explosion
02 Jul 1830	Cwm Carno	6	Flood
28 May 1831	Coalbrook Vale	9	Inundation
02 Oct 1834	Landore	9
09 May 1837	Argoed Hall	31	Inundation
17 Jun 1837	Old Coal Pit, Blaina	12	Explosion of firedamp
07 Dec 1837	Nant-Y-Glo	8	Explosion of gas
16 Jun 1838	Thomas Chapel	6	Inundation of water
04 Jul 1838	Huskar, Moorside Pit	26	Inundation
28 Nov 1838	Cinder Pits	16	Inrush of water
Jul 1840	Mostyn	11
06 Jul 1840	Llangennech	5	Explosion
Nov 1841	Llangennech	5
01 Jan 1844	Dinas, Middle Pit	12	Explosion
14 Feb 1844	Landshipping, Garden Pit	40	Inrush of tide
13 May 1844	Broadmoor	7	Cage accident
Dec 1844	Minera	5	Explosion
18 Mar 1845	Abiathur Jones's pit	5	Shaft accident
01 Aug 1845	Crombach	28	Explosion
14 Jan 1846	Risca, Black Vein	35	Explosion
31 Aug 1847	Waun cae Gurwen	8	Shaft Accident
06 Dec 1847	Nant-Y-Glo	8	Explosion
29 Mar 1848	Eagle's Bush	20	Explosion
24 Apr 1848	Gadlys	5
21 Jun 1848	Victoria	11	Shaft Accident
14 May 1849	Werfa	5	Explosion
19 May 1849	Llantwit	7	Shaft Accident
20 Jul 1849	Minera	9	Explosion
03 Aug 1849	Cwm-Nant-Du	5	Explosion
11 Aug 1849	Lletty Shenkin	52	Explosion
12 Dec 1850	Middle Duffryn	13	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
04 Sep 1851	Werfa	14	Shaft Accident
10 May 1852	Gwendraeth	27	Inundation of quicksand
11 May 1852	Middle Duffryn	65	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
12 Mar 1853	Risca, Black Vein	10	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by lighted candle
23 Dec 1853	Brynddu	5	Explosion of firedamp
19 Oct 1854	Frood	7	Explosion of fire damp
11 Jan 1855	Bryn-yr-Owen	7	Inundation from old workings
20 Apr 1855	Aberaman	5	Explosion of firedamp
28 Nov 1855	Cwm Neol	8	Shaft accident
24 May 1856	Cym Avon	12	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
03 Jul 1856	Old Coal Pit, Blaina	11	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
15 Jul 1856	Cymmer	114	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
30 Sep 1856	Brynmally	13	Inundation from old workings
19 Feb 1857	Lundhill	189	Explosion, firedamp
27 May 1857	Cwmtillery	13	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
25 Feb 1858	Lower Duffryn	19	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
28 May 1858	Brynddu	12	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by lighted candle
11 Aug 1858	Cyfing	6	Explosion of gas
13 Oct 1858	Primrose	14	Suffocated by vapour from engine boilers
04 Nov 1858	Cae	10	Inundation
06 Apr 1859	Main	26	Innundation, water from old workings
06 Nov 1860	Lower Duffryn	12	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
01 Dec 1860	Risca, Black Vein	146	Explosion, firedamp, cause of ignition unknown
08 Mar 1861	Blaengwawr	13	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
26 Sep 1861	South Mostyn	10	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
12 Feb 1862	Bryn Gwiog	16	Irruption of water
19 Feb 1862	Gethin	47	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
02 Jul 1862	Old Castle	6	Inundation
09 Aug 1862	Lletty Shenkin	5	Explosion of gas
26 Jun 1863	Park	6	An explosion of gas
17 Oct 1863	Morfa	40	Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by safety lamp
09 Dec 1863	Wynnstay	13	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
26 Dec 1863	Llwynvi	15	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
27 Sep 1864	Madeley Wood (Ironstone)	9	Shaft accident
15 Dec 1864	Leeswood Main	8	An irruption of water
16 Jun 1865	Bedwelty	26	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
20 Dec 1865	Gethin	34	Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by naked light
12 Dec 1866	Oaks	361	Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by blown-out shot
08 Nov 1867	Ferndale	178	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
27 Dec 1867	Bwllfa	5
30 Sep 1868	Wynnstay	10	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
25 May 1869	Cwmnantddu	7	Explosion
10 Jun 1869	Ferndale	53	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
11 Nov 1869	Hendreforgan	6	Explosion
08 Jan 1870	Fochriw	5	Shaft accident
14 Feb 1870	Morfa	30	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
23 Jul 1870	Charles Pit	19	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
08 Oct 1870	Abercwmboy	5	Explosion of gas
24 Feb 1871	Pentre	38	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by flames from furnace
02 Mar 1871	Victoria	19	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
04 Oct 1871	Gadlys	5	Explosion of gas
10 Jan 1872	Oakwood	11	Explosion of gas
22 Jan 1872	Libanus	5	Shaft accident
05 Apr 1873	Cwmtillery	8
24 Apr 1873	Wynnstay	7	Killed by the effects of a blown-out shot while blasting in a level in New coal seam
11 Dec 1873	Hafod-y-Bwch	5
26 Sep 1874	Bryn Cethin	5
07 Dec 1874	Edwards Pit	5
04 Dec 1875	Bedwelty	23	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
06 Dec 1875	Swaithe Main	143	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
06 Dec 1875	Llan	16	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light and defective ventilation
18 Dec 1876	Cwmtillery	23	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
10 Mar 1877	Worcester	19	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
11 Apr 1877	Troedyhiw, Tynewydd Pit	5	Inrush of water from old workings
15 Apr 1878	Westernmoor	5	Inundation of water
30 May 1878	Brynmally	6
11 Sep 1878	Abercarne, Prince Of Wales	268	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, cause of ignition not established
13 Jan 1879	Dinas	63	Explosion, firedamp
02 Apr 1879	Bedwelty	6	Explosion of firedamp
16 Jun 1879	Meadow Pit	5	Shaft accident
10 Mar 1880	Bedwelty	6	Explosion of gas
07 Jul 1880	Garnoch	6	Explosion of firedamp
15 Jul 1880	Risca, Black Vein	120	Explosion, firedamp. Ignition probably caused by Clanny Lamp
03 Aug 1880	Bersham	9	Explosion of gas
10 Dec 1880	Naval	101	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
01 Feb 1882	Lewis Merthyr	6	Explosion of firedamp
03 Mar 1882	Henwain	6	Explosion of firedamp
25 Jun 1883	New Duffryn	6	Explosion of gas
21 Aug 1883	Gelli	5	Explosion of gas
16 Jan 1884	Garnant	10	Breaking of rope
27 Jan 1884	Naval	11	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
08 Nov 1884	Pochin	14	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust
18 Jun 1885	Clifton Hall	178	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by lighted candle
23 Dec 1885	Maerdy	81	Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by naked light
09 Dec 1886	George Pit, Mountain Ash	5
30 Dec 1886	Houghton Main	10	Cage accident
18 Feb 1887	National	39	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
14 May 1888	Aber	5
13 Mar 1889	Brynmally	20	Outburst of firedamp following roof-fall, ignition caused by naked light
22 Jan 1890	Glyn Pits	5
06 Feb 1890	Llanerch	176	Explosion, firedamp, ignition probably caused by safety lamp
10 Mar 1890	Morfa	87	Explosion, firedamp and coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
30 Sep 1891	Blaendwynfi	8
24 Aug 1892	Yniscedwin	7	Man riding accident
26 Aug 1892	Park Slip	112	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by safety lamp
23 Jan 1893	Abercynon	8
11 Apr 1893	Great Western	63	Fire, ignition of inflammable substance caused by sparks from brake of hauling engine
23 Jun 1894	Albion	278	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
09 Sep 1895	Pentre	6	Shaft accident
10 Sep 1895	Abercynon	5	Shaft accident
27 Jan 1896	Tylorstown	57	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
04 Aug 1896	Main	7	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
09 Dec 1896	River Level	6	Inrush of water from old workings
05 Jan 1897	Broadoak	5
11 Jun 1897	Garth Merthyr	9	Overwinding
18 Aug 1899	Llest	19	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by naked light
24 Oct 1900	Glenavon	5	Inrush of water
24 May 1901	Universal	82	Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
10 Sep 1901	Llanbradach	8	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
04 Mar 1902	Milfraen	5
03 Jun 1902	Windsor	6
04 Jun 1902	Fochriw	8
03 Sep 1902	Maclaren, No.1 Pit	16	Explosion, firedamp, cause of ignition uncertain
08 Oct 1902	Tirpentwys	8	Shaft rope broke
20 Oct 1902	Fall Hill Pit	4	Inundation
11 Nov 1902	Deep Navigation	5
13 Aug 1904	Nine Mile Point	7
21 Jan 1905	Elba	11	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by contraband
10 Mar 1905	Cambrian	33	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by safety lamp
11 Jul 1905	National	119	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
28 Apr 1906	Abercynon	5
01 Jun 1906	Court Herbert	5
10 Nov 1906	Albion	8	Explosion, firedamp, explosion probably caused by spark from electric re-lighter
16 Feb 1907	Trimsharan	6
05 Mar 1907	Genwen	6	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
11 Oct 1907	Seven Sisters	5
15 Nov 1907	Barrow	7	Shaft accident
14 Dec 1907	Dinas Main, No. 3	7	Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
06 Mar 1908	Hamstead	25	Underground fire, caused by lighted candle
09 Apr 1908	Norton Hill, Slyving Vein Incline	10	Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing
18 Aug 1908	Maypole	76	Explosion of firedamp and coal dust
27 Aug 1909	Naval	6
01 Oct 1909	Birchrock	5
29 Oct 1909	Darran	27	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
01 Nov 1909	Tareni	5
21 Dec 1910	Hulton	344	Explosion of firedamp
18 May 1912	Markham	5	Explosion of firedamp
09 Jul 1912	Cadeby Main	88	Explosions of firedamp and coal dust
14 Oct 1913	Senghenydd	439	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparking from electric signalling apparatus or from falling rocks
18 Oct 1913	Glynea	8
30 May 1914	Wharncliffe Silkstone, Whinmoor Seam	11	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by faulty electrical equipment on coal cutting machine
17 Jan 1915	Podmore Hall, Minnie Pit	9	Explosion of firedamp
26 Apr 1923	Trimsharan	10	Haulage accident
03 Jan 1924	Rhosamman	7	Explosion
03 Sep 1924	Ponthenry, Lllanelly	5
27 Nov 1924	Killan	5	Inrush of water from old workings
05 Dec 1924	Llay Main	9	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing
01 Mar 1927	Marine	52	Explosion, firedamp, propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by either safety lamp or of stones falling on stones
10 Jul 1929	Milfraen	9	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparking at switch in coal cutter
28 Nov 1929	Wernbwll	7	Explosion, firedamp, propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by flame of open acetylene lamp
20 Nov 1931	Bentley	45	Explosion, firedamp, caused by gob fire or safety lamp
25 Jan 1932	Llwynypia	12	Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by match
22 Sep 1934	Gresford	265	Explosion, firedamp, cause of ignition uncertain, possibly spontaneous combustion
26 May 1936	Loveston Mine, Kilgetty	7	Innundation from old workings
10 Jul 1941	Rhigos	16	Explosion of firedamp
25 Nov 1941	Blaenclydach	7	Man riding accident
25 Mar 1943	Seven Sisters	5
07 Sep 1950	Knockshinnock Castle	13	Inrush of liquid peat or moss from surface
06 Sep 1955	Blaenhirwaun	6	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by sparks produced by friction between fan blades of compressed air turbine fan and pieces of stone
22 Nov 1956	Lewis Merthyr	9	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by incendive spark produced by impact of stone striking steel arches
28 Jun 1960	Six Bells	45	Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock
12 Apr 1962	Tower	9	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by severe short circuit to earth in an electric cable
17 May 1965	Cambrian	31	Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by defective gate-end switch controlling the return end plough motor
21 Oct 1966	Aberfan	144	Tip slide
09 Sep 1967	Michael	9	Underground fire, spontaneous combustion
06 Apr 1971	Cynheidre	6	Outburst of coal and firedamp

Colliery Memorials

Bardon Mill	Bearpark	Blackhall	Brancepeth
Chopwell	Craghead	Crookhall	Dawdon
Deaf Hill	Dean and Chapter	Derwent	Elemore
Ellington	Elm Park Drift	Eston Mines	Fishburn
Fourstones	Fourstones Quarry	Handen Hold	Harton
Herrington	Horden	Hylton	Kibblesworth
Lambton Coke Works	Lumley	Mainsforth	Medomsley
Murton	New Hartley	Oakenshaw	Quarrington Hill
Risehow	Ryhope	Sacriston	Scremerston
Seaham	Settlingstones	Shilbottle	Shotton
South Hetton	Stonecroft	Sunnybrow	Thornley
Thrislington	Vane Tempest	Washington F Pit	Wearmouth
Westoe	Whittle	Wheatley Hill	Willington
Witton

Rest of the UK

Barony	Bowhill, Josephine	Cortonwood	Grimethorpe
Harworth	Hickleton Main	Houghton Main	Kilnhurst
Lochore, Mary	Pooley Hall (WW1)

Mining Memorials

Horden "Marra"	Horden Welfare Park
Hetton Railway Memorial	Hetton Mining Heritage Statue
Monkwearmouth WW1 Memorial	Preston Colliery WW1 Memorial
Redhills Memorial Gardens	Seaham Harbour
South Moor Memorial Park	Spennymoor Area
St. Hilda Colliery WW1 Memorial	Sunderland - Thompson Park
Tudhoe Colliery WW1 Memorial	Tursdale Colliery WW1 Memorial
Usworth Colliery WW1 Memorial	Washington Colliery WW1 Memorial
Westerhope

Disaster Memorials

Rest of the UK

Colliery Memorials

Rest of the UK

Mining Memorials