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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	10th October 1868
Colliery:	Beamish
Company:	James Joicey and Co.
Cause:	Breaking of pit rope
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

In Shafts.

Accident No. 52 occurred at Beamish Colliery, from the breaking of one of the pit ropes, whilst a horsekeeper was descending the shaft. Although no satisfactory evidence could be obtained at the inquest, it appeared evident that by some unaccountable means, almost immediately the cage was started, the rope had dropped off the pulley, and falling on the shaft of the same, there broke, precipitating the cage with its occupant to the bottom of the pit.

The rope, which was manufactured by Messrs. Newall and Co., of Gateshead, had been in use about three months, and appeared to be of very good quality.

After the accident, for the purpose of testing it, Mr. Spencer, Messrs. Newall's agent, had a portion of it cut from the broken end, and tried in a testing machine at Messrs. Abbot's works, at Gateshead, where it then bore, from my own observation, six times the working load to which it had been put, and about ten times as much as that it was subjected to at the time of the occurrence.

Neither at the inquest, nor on my inspection of the place and inquiries made, could anything satisfactory be ascertained as to the cause of the rope having been thrown off the pulley (supposing such to have been the case), and that it had been so there seemed to have been little or no doubt.

Source:

1868 Mines Inspectors Report, Northumberland, North Durham and Cumberland District by George William Southern, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 142

	Atkinson, George, aged 48, Horse Keeper, breaking of pit rope
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