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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	21st May 1902
Colliery:	Dinnington
Company:	Seaton Burn Coal Co., Ltd.
Cause:	Explosion
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

The Dinnington Colliery explosion occurred about 7.30 a.m. on 21st May in the Beaumont seam, only recently sunk to, and lying at a depth of 133 fathoms. Only one shaft was sunk to the seam. The workings, contracted in area, were the first or whole workings of the bord and pillar system. Air tubes were used for carrying the air down the shaft from the Low Main seam and to the face of the working places. Safety-lamps of the Marsaut type were used. The explosion happened in a back headways depending for ventilation on 120 yards of air tubes. The place had been examined at 3.20 a.m. on the day of the explosion by the deputy who found gas in it and fenced it off and affixed a danger board. On a second visit by the deputy, soon after 5 a.m., he found less gas. A tub of coal, about three-quarters filled, had been left in the place. Deceased appears to have removed the fence and gone into the place with his pony for the tub; after the explosion his body was found about 20 yards up the back headways ; the pony, attached to the tub, was found dead 4 or 5 yards further in. Deceased's safety-lamp was found in the tub in good order. When his clothing was searched an envelope containing lucifer matches was found in his vest pocket, and in his jacket pocket was part of a wax candle. The explosion appears to have exerted some force as several stoppings and doors were blown out. Coal dust, so far as can be gathered, did not play any part in the explosion.

The ventilation of the seam, or at any rate the mode of conveying air to the face, appears to have been defective, and the prosecution of any ordinary working places in the absence of two outlets, and without an exemption from the Secretary of State was a contravention of Section 16 of the Coal Mines Act. The jury in their verdict were unable to state the cause of the explosion. I obtained the lamp after coming to the district and tested it in a stationary mixture of lighting gas and air and it did not pass flame. The manager was of opinion, although he did not so state at the inquest, that the lad's lamp had gone out and he had become frightened and struck a match. No struck match was found, but this is the probable cause of ignition.

Source:

1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590) Where to find this report

	Smith, John, aged 16, Putter, killed by an explosion of gas
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