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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	8th August 1893
Colliery:	Sherburn House
Company:	Earl of Durham
Cause:	Fall of stone
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

Number 36 on the list also occurred at Sherburn House Colliery, on the 8th of August, about 10 o'clock a.m., causing the death of John Williamson, a coal hewer.

There was, I think, no carelessness or negligence on the part of anyone in this case, and I only mention it to draw attention to the treacherous character of stones of this shape and nature, and to point out how necessary it is that every care should be used in examining the stone, and placing timber under it.

The stone which fell and killed this unfortunate man was 9 feet long X 6 feet wide X 1 foot thick, and would weigh about 3½ tons. The shape of it was that of a horse's back, and it was surrounded by slips on every side except one. It would, no doubt, when tried, sound all right, and, as it was supported by the coal, until a slip in the face of the place was disclosed, directly this support was worked away it would fall with little or no warning. Deceased's day's work would have been completed in about ten minutes if this fall had not taken place.

Source:

1893 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7339), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 10 Where to find this report

	Williamson, John, aged 44, Hewer, Fall of a very large stone whilst at his work in an ordinary "bord."
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