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Disasters and Fatalities

Page 1

List of Disasters



Many coal mining disasters of the early 20th century were covered by the photographer
Warner Gothard of Barnsley

To be classified as a disaster, an accident or explosion at a mine
has to claim at least ten lives.

There has been a disaster
For more information on this picture visit the Haig Colliery Mining Museum


It was in the 19th century, particularly in the second half of that period, and in the early years of the
20th century, that the largest number of very serious disasters occurred and, indeed, rarely a year went by without such an occurrence.

The list below is not comprehensive but it does give an insight into the terrible carnage
reaped on miners through the ages.


Compensation

When a major disaster occurred there would usually be a local fund set up to collect donations for the bereaved and dependants.

Burial fees would be paid for the victims and weekly payments allowed for widows and children depending on the size of the fund.

Most miners paid a few pence per week to the Midlands Miners fatal accident fund which provided similar benefits.

The workmen’s compensation act was not passed until the 1890s when mining unions were able to employ lawyers to fight for compensation. I have some examples if you ever need them.

Alan Beales


If I have made any mistakes, and unfortunately I frequently do, just let me know and I will sort it
email me. Thank you

Details of many of the Scottish accidents can be found at the
Scottish Mining Website


1705, 3rd. or 4th. Oct. Gateshead, Over 30 died
1708, Fatfield Colliery, Fatfield. Chester-le-Street, Durham. 69 die in explosion
1727, Lumley Park. Chester-le-Street, Durham. 62 lives were lost

1736, June Lonnen Pit. Fatfield, Durham. 6 died.
1737, 5th August, Corpshill or Corporal Pit. Whitehaven, Cumberland. 22 lives were lost 1743, 18th January, North Biddick. Biddick, Durham. 17 lives were lost
1743, Bensham Colliery, 80 died 1757, 10th June, Ravensworth. Ravensworth, Durham. 16 lives were lost
1758, 24th May, Wernffraith Colliery, Neath Abbey, Glamorganshire. An explosion, 17 lives were lost including the
         owner/manager, William Shepley - Thanks to Martyn Griffiths for the information
1761, 1st December, Hartley Colliery. Hartley, Durham, 5 died
1763, Fatfield. Chester-le-Street, Durham. 17 lives were lost
1764, Winch Pond. Neath, Glamorganshire. 18 lives were lost
1766, 18th March, Walker. Gateshead, Northumberland. 10 lives were lost
1766, 16th April, South Biddick. County Durham. 27 lives were lost
1766, 22nd August - Lambton. Chester-le-Street, Durham. Explosion, 6 died
1767, Wallsend. Gateshead, Northumberland
1767, Fatfield Colliery, 39 lives were lost

1770, 12th June, Wernffraith Colliery, Neath Abbey, Glamorganshire. An explosion caused by naked lights killed17 miners -
Thanks to Martyn Griffiths for the information
1773, 6th December, North Biddick Colliery, Washington, Durham. Explosion killed 19 or 20 men and boys
1773, Chartershaugh Colliery, Durham, 23 lives were lost
1776, 7th October - Ovington's Pit, East Rainton, Durham – Explosion 5 died
1778, 8th December, Chartershaugh. Durham. 24 men and boys lives were lost
1779, Winch Pond. Neath, Glamorganshire 11 lives were lost 1786, 21st August  - Wallsend. Gateshead, Northumberland – Explosion 6 died
1786, 3rd November  - Wallsend. Gateshead, Northumberland – Explosion 5 died
1788, 14th March, Llansamlet. Swansea, Glamorganshire. 11 lives were lost
1788, 10th July - Waunddu. Loughor, Swansea – Explosion 6 died

1790, 4th October -  Wallsend. Gateshead, Northumberland – Explosion, 7 died
1793, 27 December, Sheriff Hill Gateshead, Durham. 14 lives lost
1794, Picktree Colliery,30 die
1794, 11th June, Llansamlet. Harraton. Harraton, Durham. 20 lives were lost
1794, 21st December - Sheriff Hill. Sheriff Hill, Durham – Explosion, several died
1795, 24th April, Paradise. Benwell, Northumberland. 11 lives were lost
1795, 12th May, Fire Engine, Neath, Glamorganshire. 20 lives were lost
1796, 12th February - New Washington. Washington, Durham – Explosion 7 died
1796, 8th September - Slattyford. Slattyford, Northumberland – 6 drowned
1797, 11th April, Lumley. Lumley, Durham. 31 lives were lost
1797, 19th April, RothwellL Haigh Leeds, Yorkshire. 13 lives were lost
1798, 27th February - Washington. Washington, Durham - Explosion 7 died
1799, 25th September, Wallsend. Gateshead, Durham. 13 lives were lost
1799, 11th October, Lumley,. Lumley, Durham. 39 lives were lost

1801, Towneley Main Or Stella Pit. Greenside ‘A’ Pit. Durham – Explosion several died
1803, Barmby Furscoe. Yorkshire – Explosion 20 to 30 died
1803, 25 September - Wallsend. ‘C’ Pit. Gateshead, Durham – 13 died
1805, 19 August - Barmby Furscoe. Barnsley, Yorkshire – Explosion 7 died
1805, Oxclose Colliery, Washington, 38 die
1805, Hebburn Colliery near Paisley, 35 died
1805, 22 April, Hurlet, 13 killed by an explosion
1806, Fenton Park. Fenton Park, Staffordshire – Explosion killed 7
1806, Mostyn. Mostyn, Denbighshire – Two explosion 1st killed 36, 2nd killed 30
1806, June - St. Helens. St.Helens, Lancashire - Explosion killed 16
1806, Unamed. Dudley, Staffordshire - Explosion killed 8 or 10.
1806, Whitehaven. Whitehaven, Cumberland -  Explosion killed 11
1806, 28 March - Killingworth. Killingworth, Northumberland -  Explosion killed 8
1808, 29 November - Harraton Colliery. Row Pit. Harraton, Durham - Explosion killed  more than 8
1809, 30 June - East Ardsley. Barnsley, Yorkshire – 10 drowned
1809, 14 September - Killingworth. Killingworth, Northumberland – Explosion killed 11

1812, 25th May - Brandling Main. Jarrow, Durham – Explosion 87 died
1812, Felling explosion. A coal dust explosion, 92 men and boys killed, the boys being 7 and 8 years of age.
1817, 1 March, Leadhills, 7 suffocated
1817, 18 December. Plant Pit. Rainton, Durham. Explosion killed 27

1823, 3 Nov, Plain Pit, Rainton, 55 killed, gas explosion
1828, 20th May, Flint, Flintshire. Firedamp explosion killed between 9 and 11 and injured 11 others

1830, February, Whifflet, Old Monkland,5 killed in explosion
1830, 27 July, Bannockburn,6 killed in fall
1835, 18 June, Church Pit, or Russell's old Wallsend, 102 killed in gas explosion.
1837, Springwell colliery exploded killing 27 men and boys the youngest being 12yrs old
1837, 28 July, Isabella, Union And Lady Pits, Workington, Cumberland. Flood, 24 died
1838, 4 July, Huskar, Moorend Pit. Silkstone, Barnsley. 26 children drowned.
1839, 12 August, Housewoodhill, Barrhead

1840, July, Mostyn. Mostyn, Flintshire, Explosion killed 11, 5 others were seriously injured.
1840, 6 July, St. David's Pit. Llangennech. Llanelli, Glamorganshire, 2 men and 3 boys killed in an explosion 26
           others injured
1841, 16 March, Quarter, Hamilton, 11 killed in explosion
1841, WILLINGTON,32 lives lost
1843, Broadfield Colliery in Fenton. Firedamp explosion occurred in which 9 lives were lost.
1844, 1 Jan, Dinas Middle Pit. Glamorganshire. Explosion killed 8 men and 4 boys
1844, September. Haswell Colliery. 95 men were killed in a massive explosion.
1844, 1 Jan, Dinas Middle Pit. Glamorganshire. Explosion killed 8 men and 4 boys
1844, 14 Feb, Landshipping, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Inundation from River Dunleddy killed 40
1845, 1 August, Old Duffryn, Aberdare, Glamorganshire, 29 lives lost.
1845, 15 August, Moira Colliery, explosion of fire-damp, 6 killed
1845, Jarrow Colliery, 39 lives lost.
1846, 14 Jan., Risca, Black Vein Pit. Monmouthshire. Explosion killed 35
1846, 28 September, Bogle Hole Colliery Tollcross, 6 killed in explosion
1846, 17 Nov, Rounds Green Pit Disaster, Oldbury, West Midlands. Explosion killed 20 men and boys
1847, December, Nantyglow. Monmouthshire. 11 men were gassed and 8 lost their lives
1848, 29 March, Eaglebush. Neath. Glamorganshire. Explosion killed 20 men and boys.
1848, June, Black Vein Ironstone Mine. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. Explosion killed 11 miners.
1848, 21 June, Victoria Iron Works. Aberdare, Monmouthshire. Bucket crashed to the bottom of the shaft, 11 died.
1849, 14 Jan., Risca, Black Vein Pit. Monmouthshire. Explosion killed 35
1849, 24 Jan., Darley Main Colliery, Yorkshire. Explosion killed 75
1849, 16th May Werfa. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 3 were killed and 2 were not expected to survive. 12 were
          injured in all when a man with a Davy lamp went into a heading which was fouled and he was followed by
          a boy with a candle at which the gas exploded.
1849, 20 July, Minera. Wrexham, Denbighshire. Explosion caused by candles killed 9 men, dreadfully injured
          another. A horse was also killed.
1849, 10 August, Letty Shanklin. Aberdare, Glamorganshire, 52 men died
1849, 13 August, Wishaw Colliery, 9 killed in firedamp explosion
1849, HEBBURN, 31 lives lost
1849, 16th August, Cwmynantddu. Pontypool, Glamorganshire. 5 men lost their lives in an explosion.

1850, 23 July, Commonhead, Airdrie, 18 killed in explosion
1850, 6 December, Netherton Colliery, Maryhill, 5 killed
1851, 15 March, Victoria Pit, Nitshill, 63 killed
1851, 10th July,Fiveways, Cladley, Worcestershire. 9 died.
1851, 25th August, Ubberley Colliery Staffordshire. An explosion of foul air took place. 7 died
1851, 20th December, Warren Vale Colliery, Yorkshire. Explosion Killed 52 men and boys
1852, Middle Duffryn Colliery, Aberdare, Wales, 65 men and boys died
1852, 22nd December, Hemingfield Pit (also known as Elsecar Low Pit), Barnsley, Yorkshire - 10 killed in explosion
1853, 21st January, New Cottam. Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Chain broke and chair fell down shaft 7 died
1853, 29 November, Cowdenbeath Colliery, 5 killed in fall
1855, December 2, Elemore Near Hetton, 28 lives lost
1855, 24th May. Oldfield Colliery in Fenton, North Staffordshire. 7 killed and several injured by an explosion.
1856, Cymmer Colliery, Forth, Wales, 114 die underground.
1857, Lundhill Explosion, Firedamp explosion, 189 lives lost
1859, 6th April, Main Colliery, Neath, Glamorganshire, 26 men and boys were killed, sudden inundation of water

1860, Burradon Disaster, 76 lives lost
1860, Black Vein Colliery at Risca, methane gas explosion killed more than 140 men and boys as well as 28 pit ponies. They called this pit the Death Pit, because methane gas caused regular explosions that killed so many.
1860, 20 December Hetton Colliery Explosion, explosion killed 22 men and boys.
1861, 7 August, Dykehead, near Hamilton, 12 killed by fire
1861, Clay Cross Colliery. 11th June, mine flooded, 23 men and 65 horses and asses were drowned
1862, 16th January, New Hartley Pit Disaster. Collapse Near Blyth, 204 lives lost, including children as young as            10. (Thanks to Jon Archer for putting me right on this date)
1866, Pelton Disaster, 24 lives lost
1866, Talke o' the Hill. 89 men and boys were killed in an explosion.
1866, 13th Dec Oaks Colliery near Barnsley. Two explosions killed 384 men and boys
1867, Femdale Colliery, Rhondda, Wales. Explosion kills 178 men and boys at
1869, Femdale Colliery, Rhondda, Wales. 60 miners were killed
1860's Jane Pit, Workington. Sea broke in. 100 men entombed

1870, Sheriff Pit, Silverdale, an explosion occurred at Sheriff Pit, which killed 19 men.
1871, 10th January, Rennishaw Park. Explosion, twenty seven killed, twelve injured.
1871, 12th January, Eckington Colliery Explosion, twenty seven killed.
1871, 6th September. Ince Moss Colliery Disaster.
1872, 7th October. Morley Main, Explosion of methane 34 died
1874, 12th April Underwood Pit, Philip's Great Grandfather, John Smith lost his life on the Sunday,
           aged 22 years, trying to rescue a pony during a pit fire.
1875, 30th April, Bunker's Hill Colliery 43 miners killed by an explosion
1875, 6th December, Swaithe Main Colliery, Yorkshire disaster killed 143 men and boys
1875 6th Dec, Llan colliery, Gwaelod-y-Garth. Cardiff's only mining disaster explosion killed 16 men and boys
1877, The Tynewydd Inundation disaster, Wales, five killed by underground floods.
1877, 22nd October, Blantyre, more than 200 killed in explosion
1878, 5th March, Blantyre, 6 killed
1878, 8th March, Barrwood, Kilsyth, Scotland. 17 killed by fire and explosion
1878, 7th June, Wood Pit. Haydock, Lancashire. At least 204 killed by an explosion
1878, 11th September, Prince of Wales, Abercarn. 325 men and boys working underground when a massive
           explosion ripped through the workings
1879, 21st February, Kaitangata Mine Disaster, New Zealand Firedamp Explosion, 35 died
1879, 2nd July, Blantyre, 28 killed
1879, 4th March, Victoria Stanley also known as 'Deep Drop' Explosion of methane 21 died

1880, 21st Jan, Leycette, Fair Lady Pit Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing, 62 killed


1880, Naval Colliery, Rhondda, Wales, Explosion kills 96
1880, Seaham Colliery explosion and fire, 164 men lost their lives
1881, 7th Feb, Chatterley Whitfield Colliery - Explosion killed 21 persons
1882, 19 April, West Stanley Colliery, Chester-le-Street, Durham - Explosion killed 13 persons
1882, 1st May, Baddesley. Atherstone, Warwickshire. Explosion killed 23 persons. others died from
           suffocation including the owner Mr. Stratford Dugdale.
1882, 7th November, Parkhouse Colliery, Catty Pit as it was better known. explosion, forty five lives lost.
1882, 16th February, Trimdon Grange disaster 74 lives lost
1882,18th April, Tudhoe Blast 35 lives lost
1883,18th October, Wharncliffe Carlton. Barnsley, Yorkshire, 20 men and boys lost their lives
1883, 7th Nov, Altham's Moorfield Colliery, Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by Davy lamp, 68 killed including 13 children
1885, 9th Nov, Newbottle, Margaret Pit, S.W. Sunderland, 13 Killed, irruption of water and gas.
1885, Maerdy Colliery, Wales, Christmas Eve explosion kills 81 men.
1886, 2nd Dec, Explosion at Elemore Colliery, near Hetton, in the county of Durham, causing the death of
           28 persons.
1886, Altoft Colliery in Yorkshire, coal dust explosion, loss of 22 lives
1887, 28th May, Udston, near Hamilton 73 killed in fire damp explosion
1887, 24th Oct, Walker Colliery Explosion. Northumberland. 8 lives were lost
1889, 5th September, Mauricewood, Penicuik, near Edinburgh 63 killed by fire
1889, 16th October Mossfield Colliery Explosion, 64 were killed along with 16 pit ponies.

1890, 22nd Jan, Glyn Colliery, Pontypool, Monmouthshire. 5 men killed, explosion of firedamp


1890, 10th March, Morfa Colliery, Port Talbot, Glamorganshire - Ignition Of Methane - 87 Killed - 43 Unrecovered
1892, Pare Slip Colliery, Wales, Gas blast leaves 114 dead.
1893,11th of April, Great Western Colliery, the Rhondda Valley. 63 lost their lives
1893, 4th July Combs pit, THORNHILL. Dewsbury, Yorkshire. 135 lost their lives, explosion
1894, Albion Colliery, Cilfynydd, Wales. 290 dead
1895,14th January, Diglake Colliery in North Staffordshire with the loss of 77 lives.
1895, 2 Aug, Auchenharvie, Ayr, Ayrshire, outburst of water, 9 men died
1895, 11th November. Blackwell ‘A’ Winning, explosion, 7 lives lost.
1896, 13th April, Brancepeth, 20 lives lost
1896, 30th April, Peckfield Colliery Disaster, explosion, 63 lives lost
1898, 19th April, Whitwick Colliery Disaster, 35 lives lost
1899, 15th August, Brandon Pit, 6 lives lost

1901, 24th May, Universal, Senghenydd, Glamorgan, 81 killed.


1901, 15th February, Hill of Beath, Fife 7 killed by fire
1901, 26th August, Donibristle, Fife, 8 killed
1902, 3rd June 1902 Windsor. Abertridwr, Glamorganshire, 6 killed
1904, 20th October, Boythorpe Lane Colliery, explosion.
1905, 10th March, Cambrian. Clydach Vale, Glamorgan 33 killed.
1905, 11th July, National, Wattstown, Glamorgan. 119 killed.
1905, Manners Pit, Ilkeston, Colliery Explosion, 3 died
1906, Courrieres, Pas-de-Calais, Northern France, 1,099 killed. Coal dust explosion
1906, 14th October, Wingate Grange, Durham. 25 killed.
1907, William Pit, Whitehaven, Explosion. 5 killed, 7 injured
1907, 15th November Barrow Colliery, Barnsley, 7 persons killed and 9 injured
1907, 23rd November 1907 Hoyland Silkstone Colliery, Barnsley, 4 killed
1908, Glebe Colliery Washington.  (Durham Mining Museum)
1908, Hamstead Colliery, Birmingham. (BBC Birmingham)
1908, Norton Hill Colliery, Midsomer Norton. (BBC Somerset)
1908, Maypole Colliery, Wigan.
1908, 20th February, Glebe Colliery Washington, Disaster 14 lives lost (Durham Mining Museum)
1908, 4th March, Hamstead, Staffordshire. 25 killed.
1908, 18th August, Maypole, Wigan, Lancashire. 76 killed.
1908, 28th Jan 1908 Roachburn Pit Disaster, Steve Barker and Durham Mining Museum
1909, 16th February, West Stanley, Durham 168 killed.
1909, 29th October, Darran, Glamorgan. 27 killed. (Welsh Coal Mines)
1909, 10th December, Caprington, near Kilmarnock, 10 killed by inrush of water

1910, 19 January, Hattonrigg, Bellshill, 8 killed in fall
1910, 11th May, Wellington, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 136 killed.
1910, 4th December, Kemberton Pit, Shropshire. 7 killed. (BBC Shropshire)
1910, 21st December, Pretoria Pit at Westhoughton, Lancashire. 344 killed.
1911, 22nd November, Southgate Colliery, cage accident, 3 killed, 9 injured. (Neil's Local History)
1912, 9th July, Cadeby Main, Yorkshire. 88 killed.
1913, 7th February Rufford Colliery Disaster, Mansfield, 14 Killed
1913, 3rd August, Cadder, near Bishopbriggs, 22 killed by fire
1913, 14th October, Universal, Senghenydd, Glamorgan. 440 killed.
1914, 30th May, Wharncliffe-Silkstone (Tankersley, Barnsley) Colliery, 11 persons killed and 4 injured.
         Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by faulty electrical equipment on coal cutting machine.
1915, 15th January, Minnie Pit, Podmore Hall, Staffordshire. 9 killed.
1915, 25th February, New Hem Heath, Chesterton, 12 killed.
1915, 30th June Bentinck, Cage Accident, 9 Killed
1916, 26th April, Neilsland Colliery, Hamilton, 5 killed by roof fall
1918, 12th January, Minnie Pit, Podmore Hall, Staffordshire. 155 killed.
1918, 9th July, Stanrigg Colliery, near Airdrie, 19 killed
1919, 6th April, Oxcroft Colliery, 6 killed, 7 injured.
1919, 20th October, Levant Tin Mine, Cornwall. 31 killed.
1922, 22nd June, Whittington Opencast. 3 men gassed, 2 died.
1922, 13 July, East Plean. Bannockburn, Stirlingshire 12 killed.
1922, 5th September, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.1. 39 killed.
1923, 25th April, Apedale Footrail Inrush of water and blackdamp, 7 killed
1923, 28th July, Maltby, Yorkshire, 27 killed.
1923, 25th September, Redding, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. 40 killed.
1925, 30th March, View Pit, Montagu Colliery, Northumberland. 38 killed.
1925, 18th December, Birchenwood, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. 7 killed.
1927, 1st March, Bilsthorpe Disaster, Nottinghamshire. 14 killed.
1927, 1st March, Marine, Monmouthshire. 52 killed.
1927, 13th December, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.2. 4 killed.
1928, 3rd January, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.3. 14 killed.
1928, 10th January, Wallsend Colliery, explosion.
1928, 12th February, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 13 killed. (explosion).
1928, 28th November. Wernbwll Colliery. 7 killed. (explosion).
1929, 18th March. Coombs Wood Colliery. 8 killed. (fire).
1929, 10th July. Milfraen Colliery, Blaenavon. 9 killed. (explosion).

1930, 24th February. Wath Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (explosion).
1930, 26th February. Lyme Pit, Lancashire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1930, 10th March. Allerton Bywater Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1930, 30th August. Auchinraith Colliery. 6 killed. (explosion).
1930, 1st October. Grove Colliery,(Brownhills), Staffordshire. 14 killed. (explosion).
1930, 12th December. Houghton Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (explosion).
1931, 29th January, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.4. 27 killed, 13 injured.
1931, 31st October, Bowhill Colliery, Cardenden. 10 killed in explosion
1931, 20th November, Bentley Colliery Disaster, Explosion, 45 Men Died
1931, 28th December, Frickley, Yorkshire, Explosion killed 5 men
1932, 25th January, Llwynypia (Scotch) Colliery, Glamorgan. 11 killed. (explosion).
1932, 10th October. Bickershaw, No. 3 Pit, Lancashire. 19 killed. (shaft accident).
1932, 12th November, Edge Green Number 9, Garswood Hall, Lancashire 27 killed.
1932, 16th November, Cardowan Colliery. 11 killed. (explosion).
1933, 16th May. West Cannock Colliery, Staffordshire. 6 killed. (explosion).
1933, 19th November,Grassmoor Colliery, explosion, 14 killed, 8 injured.
1934, 22nd September, Gresford, Denbighshire 265 killed.
1934, 26th July, Bilsthorpe Colliery, Nottinghamshire. 9 killed. (explosion).
1935, 10th September, Glapwell Colliery, 6 trapped, 1 died, 3 hospitalised.
1935, 12th September. North Gawber (Lidgett), Yorkshire. 19 killed. (explosion).
1936, 21st March, Bardykes, near Glasgow, 5 killed by roof fall
1936, 6th August, Wharncliffe, Woodmoore Colliery, Yorkshire. 58 killed.
1937, 15th February, Winterbank Pit, (Wincobank) South Normanton, Derbyshire , explosion, 7 killed, 4 injured, one died later. (Thanks to Albert Cosford for this information)
1937, 21st January, Markham No.1 (Blackshale) Derbyshire. 9 killed.
1937, 2nd July, Holditch, Staffordshire a major explosion killed 30 men
1937, 10th October, Turnoak Colliery, 7 boys injured after throwing a firework down the shaft.
1938, 30th January, Dumbreck, Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, fire, 9 killed.
1938, 10th May, Markham No.1 Colliery, explosion 79 lives Lost, 38 injured.
1938. 2nd June, Creswell Colliery, tub train accident, 3 died and a number injured.
1939, 28th October, Valleyfield Colliery, Fife 35 killed.
1939, 20th December, Warsop Main Colliery. 1,850 ton of roof collapsed and crushed 6 men to death.

1940, 21st March, Mossfield, Longton. 11 killed.
1940, 4th December. Sacriston Colliery, Durham. 5 killed. (fall of stone).
1941, 3rd June. William Pit, Durham. 12 killed, 11 injured. (explosion).
1941, 5th June, Lindsay Colliery, Kelty, 3 killed in roof fall
1941, 29th July. Crigglestone Colliery, Yorkshire. 22 killed. (explosion)
1942, 1st January, Sneyd, Stoke-on-Trent 57 killed.
1942, 7th January, Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh, Lancashire 6 killed.
1942, 16th February. Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 13 killed. (explosion).
1942, 26th June. Murton Colliery, Durham. 13 killed. (explosion).
1945, 4th March. Manvers Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1945, Royal Air Force storage depot Fauld
1946, 9th December. Harrington No. 10, Workington. Durham. 15 killed, 1 injured. (explosion).
1947, 10th January. Burngrange Colliery. Nos. 1 and 2. 15 Killed. (explosion).
1947, 7th May. Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 9 killed. (explosion).
1947, 15th August, William Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 104 killed, 3 injured.
1947, 22nd August. Louisa Pit, Stanley. Durham. 22 killed. (explosion).
1947, 9th September. Ingham Colliery, Yorkshire. 12 killed. (explosion).
1949, 15th, April, Bolsover Colliery. Mystery explosion, 3 men killed, 2 severely injured.
1949, Lyme Colliery in Lancashire. Explosion 2 Boothstown Rescue Station men killed

1950, 7th September. Knockshinnoch Castle

13 killed by the inrush of water and 116 men were entombed.
         Song by (R.Hunter/D.McClymont) Castledean Music (c) 2000

1950, 26th September, Creswell Colliery, Derbyshires worst pit fire. 80 killed
1951, 29th May, Easington, Durham. 81 killed
1951, 6th July, Eppleton Explosion 9 killed
1951, 1st October, Weetslade Colliery, Explosion 5 killed
1951, 31st October, Killingworth
1953, 24th August, Lingdale Mine (Ironstone), Skelton-in-Cleveland, explosion, 8 killed
1954, 13th January. Glyncorrwg Colliery, Afan Valley. No one was killed but around 24 were burned
1955, 6th September. Blaenhirwaun Colliery. 6 killed. (explosion)
1956, 22nd November. Lewis Merthyr. Trehafod, Glamorganshire. 9 died, (explosion).
1957, Risehow, Flimby. Explosion. 2 killed, 1 injured
1957, 21st February. Sutton Colliery, Nottinghamshire. 5 killed. (explosion)
1957, 6th March. Chanters Colliery Disaster, Atherton, Lancashire. 8 killed
1957, 26th June. Barnburgh Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 6 killed. (explosion)
1957, 19th November. Kaimes Colliery, Ayr. 17 killed. (explosion)
1957, 14th December. Lindsay Colliery, Fife. 9 killed. (explosion)
1959, 22nd April. Walton Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion)
1959, 18th September, Auchengeich, Lanarkshire, 47 killed
1959, 10th October. Bickershaw Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, Lancashire. 5 killed (explosion)

1960, 21st Jan, Clydesdale Colliery, near Sasolburg, Orange Free State, South Africa, more than 400 killed.


1960, 28th June, Six Bells, Monmouthshire, 45 killed.
1962, 22nd March, Hapton Valley Colliery. 16 killed. (explosion)
1962, 12th April. Tower Colliery, Hirwaun. 9 killed. (explosion)
1965, 17th May, Cambrian, Glamorgan 31 killed.
1966, Lynemouth Colliery
1966, Silverwood Disaster, 10 men, including my father, were killed in a Paddy Mail accident - Regards Ken Orton
1966, 21st October. The Aberfan Disaster. The whole world is shocked as a coal spoil tip engulfs the village of
         Aberfan, killing 144 adults and children.
1967, 9th September, Michael Colliery, Fife. 9 killed. (fire).

1971, 6th April, Cynheidre Colliery, Five Roads Nr. Llanelli, 6 killed. (outburst of coal/firedamp).


1973, Lofthouse Colliery disaster. 7 killed due to an inrush from old workings.
1973, 10th May. Seafield Colliery, Fife. 5 killed. (fall of roof).
1973, 30th July, Markham No2 Colliery, Derbyshire. cage accident, 18 killed.  (12 severely injured.)
1975, 12th June, Houghton Main, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
         More information on Pete's site, 'Yorkshire Main Colliery'
1978, 21st November, Bentley Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (manriding train derailment).
         More information on Pete's site, 'Yorkshire Main Colliery'
1979, 18th March, Golborne Colliery, Lancashire. 10 killed. (explosion)