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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	15th July 1905
Colliery:	Bebside
Company:	Bebside Coal Co., Ltd.
Cause:	(See description below)
Lives Lost:	3
Category:	Falls in Mine :: Falls of Roof

An extension of a main and tail rope engine plane had been completed in the Bensham seam, and a trial set of empty tubs was being taken inbye but had not reached the new road when the tail rope, instead of running on one of the new hanging sheaves on the extension, was running between the sheave and one of the iron hangers, and a socket on the rope unable to pass caused extra strain which displaced a tail rope sheave at the beginning of the extension, and the sheave and framework pulled forward, drew props under iron girders supporting the roof, and a heavy fall of stone took place and caught deceased men who had stepped aside near the sheave while the trial set was being run. The two hangers of the tail rope sheave where the socket caught were bent outbye. The tail rope either at the time of the fall or immediately afterwards drew at another socket further outbye. The displaced sheave was 4 feet diameter and was placed with its axis vertical between a wooden framework next the floor; the framework consisted of two pieces of timber 7 feet 8 inches long 5½ inches high and 11 inches deep fixed 18 inches apart. One end of this framework was let into a pack wall and a prop was driven up between it and the roof next the pack, the other end of the framework was bolted to an upright stay about 1 foot square set in front of it and let a few inches into the roof and floor. The tail rope sheave where the socket caught was 4½ inches wide and the space between the hangers was 4¾ inches. The two deputies were killed on the spot; the fitter was got out alive but he died the same day. The Local Inspectors were present at the inquest. One of them being a relative of the deceased man, Henry Grand, his evidence was not taken; the other stated he had examined the place and came to the conclusion it had been a pure accident. It appeared that the Local Inspectors had examined the mine on the Thursday before the accident, and had passed the new sheave but had not noticed it particularly

Source:

1905 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2910) Where to find this report

	Bland, Robert, aged 34, Fitter
	Grand, Henry, aged 31, Deputy, Buried: Churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Horton
	McLean, Joseph Foster, aged 29, Deputy, Buried: Churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Horton
	All names found
	Those names marked with , have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the web page.

17 Jul 1905	Heroic Rescue Work (Manchester Courier)
22 Jul 1905	Bebside Pit Disaster, Three Men Killed, Pathetic Scenes (Morpeth Herald)

 

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