*Please note- This site search does not include the Vic. & Tas. BMD's, Lots o' Links & Worth a Look Books
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JOHN BUDDLE
MINING, LOCOMOTIVES
1773-1843
Born on September 15, 1773 in County Durham, John Buddle was the only son, but the fourth of six children born to John Buddle (senior) & Mary Reay.
His Father was a mathematician & worked at a local school before pursuing a career in the mining industry. Buddle's father tutored him in not only Maths & Science, but also gave him a practical education in mining, even as early as 6 years old. At 19, John Buddle worked as underviewer with his Father & in 1801 was
appointed viewer of Benwell Colliery, later buying a 13th share in the business worth £2,700. His role as a Director earned him a salary of £100 a year.
Buddle was concerned with safety in the mines & introduced the safety lamp invented by Humphry Davy, he was also a member of the Sunderland Society, set up to investigate colliery safety.
He made scientific investigations into mine ventilation & advocated the keeping of proper records. The most important appointment was as General Manager to Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, who had married one of the wealthiest woman in Britain, Lady Frances Anee Vane Tempest. Buddle was to run her Durham collieries.
Together, Lord Londonderry & Buddle embarked on a project to develop a Port at Seaham, to bypass the Tyne & Wear monopolies. The building of the port began in 1828 & was not finished until 15 years later, where the first shipment of coal was sent out on Buddle's personal ship, Lord Seaham. He also saw through much of the development of the town, his influence being so great that, when his sister Ann died, the ships dressed in black & the shops closed as a matter of respect.
Buddle represented the Marquess on the committee of coalowners who regulated the North East coal trade with London. Although mostly active in the Great North Coalfield, records show that Buddle worked all over Britain & abroad in Portugal, South America, Russia & Nova Scotia.
In 1837 he became owner of West Towneley Colliery & also the viewer to the Bishop of Durham- a post previously held by his Father. Buddle retained his post at Durham until his death.
John Buddle never married, so Father and son shared the same house in Wallsend from 1792 until Buddle Senior’s death in 1806 after which it passed to his son who remained there for the rest of his life. His sister Ann was his lifelong companion and together they entertained local dignitaries & literary, scientific & musical guests. A contemporary visitor to the house remarked that “A man of his great reputation & wealth slept in a room carpetless & nearly bare of furniture & showed that whatever fortunes he was instrumental in making for others, he cared little for luxury himself”. It is odd that the household included at least 5 servants in 1841.
Buddle also owned other property such as Pensher House on the River Wear, which was next to the offices for the Londonderry collieries & where his sister Mary Atkinson lived with her family.
John Buddle’s long and active working life came to an abrupt end in 1843 at the age of 70. After riding with Lord Londonderry in bad weather to inspect collieries, he became ill & died within a few days on the 10th October at Wallsend House.
His estate was valued at £150,000 (almost $22 million Aus today). As Buddle had no direct descendants, the estate was bequeathed to his nephew Robert Thomas Atkinson who was to survive him by less than two years. Robert died at the age of 38 & is buried with his uncle in the same vault at St James’ churchyard in Benwell.
John Buddle had many things named after him including a Street & a Village & no doubt an occupation. He was a self-made man without any formal education who became the leading mining engineer of his day.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buddle
His Father was a mathematician & worked at a local school before pursuing a career in the mining industry. Buddle's father tutored him in not only Maths & Science, but also gave him a practical education in mining, even as early as 6 years old. At 19, John Buddle worked as underviewer with his Father & in 1801 was
appointed viewer of Benwell Colliery, later buying a 13th share in the business worth £2,700. His role as a Director earned him a salary of £100 a year.
Buddle was concerned with safety in the mines & introduced the safety lamp invented by Humphry Davy, he was also a member of the Sunderland Society, set up to investigate colliery safety.
He made scientific investigations into mine ventilation & advocated the keeping of proper records. The most important appointment was as General Manager to Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, who had married one of the wealthiest woman in Britain, Lady Frances Anee Vane Tempest. Buddle was to run her Durham collieries.
Together, Lord Londonderry & Buddle embarked on a project to develop a Port at Seaham, to bypass the Tyne & Wear monopolies. The building of the port began in 1828 & was not finished until 15 years later, where the first shipment of coal was sent out on Buddle's personal ship, Lord Seaham. He also saw through much of the development of the town, his influence being so great that, when his sister Ann died, the ships dressed in black & the shops closed as a matter of respect.
Buddle represented the Marquess on the committee of coalowners who regulated the North East coal trade with London. Although mostly active in the Great North Coalfield, records show that Buddle worked all over Britain & abroad in Portugal, South America, Russia & Nova Scotia.
In 1837 he became owner of West Towneley Colliery & also the viewer to the Bishop of Durham- a post previously held by his Father. Buddle retained his post at Durham until his death.
John Buddle never married, so Father and son shared the same house in Wallsend from 1792 until Buddle Senior’s death in 1806 after which it passed to his son who remained there for the rest of his life. His sister Ann was his lifelong companion and together they entertained local dignitaries & literary, scientific & musical guests. A contemporary visitor to the house remarked that “A man of his great reputation & wealth slept in a room carpetless & nearly bare of furniture & showed that whatever fortunes he was instrumental in making for others, he cared little for luxury himself”. It is odd that the household included at least 5 servants in 1841.
Buddle also owned other property such as Pensher House on the River Wear, which was next to the offices for the Londonderry collieries & where his sister Mary Atkinson lived with her family.
John Buddle’s long and active working life came to an abrupt end in 1843 at the age of 70. After riding with Lord Londonderry in bad weather to inspect collieries, he became ill & died within a few days on the 10th October at Wallsend House.
His estate was valued at £150,000 (almost $22 million Aus today). As Buddle had no direct descendants, the estate was bequeathed to his nephew Robert Thomas Atkinson who was to survive him by less than two years. Robert died at the age of 38 & is buried with his uncle in the same vault at St James’ churchyard in Benwell.
John Buddle had many things named after him including a Street & a Village & no doubt an occupation. He was a self-made man without any formal education who became the leading mining engineer of his day.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buddle
1. Buddle
2. Mining
3. Industrial Revolution
4. Durham County
5. Silksworth
6. Rainton
7. Benwell
8. Seaham
9. Wallsend & Heaton
10 Unions
11 Children in Mines
12 Education
13. Mining Disasters
14 Locomotives
15 The Davy Lamp
2. Mining
3. Industrial Revolution
4. Durham County
5. Silksworth
6. Rainton
7. Benwell
8. Seaham
9. Wallsend & Heaton
10 Unions
11 Children in Mines
12 Education
13. Mining Disasters
14 Locomotives
15 The Davy Lamp
Buddle
Bust and memorial plaque of John Buddle sited in St James’ Church, Benwell. The bust is made from a death mask. Buddle is depicted wearing a pit jacket. Displayed in front of him, from left to right, are a Davy lamp, a plan of Wallsend Colliery, a mining engineer’s surveying tools, and a steel flint mill (precursor of a safety lamp)
Letters of John Buddle to Lord Londonderry 1820-1843
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=cdQTAg Buddle Papers
http://history-mining.org.uk/resources/buddle Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle 1844, Volume 56
Mr Buddle's father contributed several papers on scientific subjects to the Ladies' and Gentleman's Diaries https://books.google.com.au/books?id=qfRfAAAAcAA Buddle/Atkinson Family Roots
http://www.buddleatkinsonroots.info/#!john-buddle |
JOHN BUDDLE
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They named him-
'King of the Coal Trade'
'King of the Coal Trade'
His father who had formerly been a miner was the village schoolmaster
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Lady Frances Anne (Vane)Tempest 1800-1865
Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonderry was a wealthy English heiress and noblewoman. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Vane-Tempest, 2nd Baronet and the second wife of Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. His first wife was Lady Catherine Bligh |
Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. 1778-1854
Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry KG GCB GCH PC, born Charles William Stewart and raised to the peerage as Baron Stewart in 1814, was a British soldier, politician and nobleman. |
Letters of John Buddle to Lord Londonderry, 1820-1843 By John Buddle, Anne Orde
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=cdQTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR11&dq=introduction+Letters+of+John+Buddle
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=cdQTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR11&dq=introduction+Letters+of+John+Buddle
Buddle said that he knew the city underground, better than above ground
John Buddle Work Village, Buddle Road Newcastle upon Tyne
Was launched in April 2004. John Buddle Work Village offers a whole host of services from offices, workshops, conference space and virtual packages to support businesses that are not ready for premises but would benefit from access to the services we can provide.
http://www.johnbuddleworkvillage.org/home/the-work-village
Was launched in April 2004. John Buddle Work Village offers a whole host of services from offices, workshops, conference space and virtual packages to support businesses that are not ready for premises but would benefit from access to the services we can provide.
http://www.johnbuddleworkvillage.org/home/the-work-village
The Buddle School Wallsend
The building was originally commissioned by the Wallsend School Board and completed in 1876. It was officially opened on 30th July 1877 by Addison Potter, chairman of the School Board. It had a large playground, separate wings extending from a main hall, outside toilet blocks, and Headmaster's and Caretaker's houses. The Gothic sandstone building was designed by Tyneside-based architect John Johnstone, who was responsible for, amongst other buildings, both Newcastle's and Gateshead's Victorian town halls. For 27 years, the building was used as the Buddle Arts Centre and was North Tyneside's community arts and creative industries resource and gained a deserved reputation as one of the most distinctive and innovative arts facilities in the North East. When the centre closed in October 2008, it brought to an end the latest phase of a history stretching back more than 130 years.
The building was originally commissioned by the Wallsend School Board and completed in 1876. It was officially opened on 30th July 1877 by Addison Potter, chairman of the School Board. It had a large playground, separate wings extending from a main hall, outside toilet blocks, and Headmaster's and Caretaker's houses. The Gothic sandstone building was designed by Tyneside-based architect John Johnstone, who was responsible for, amongst other buildings, both Newcastle's and Gateshead's Victorian town halls. For 27 years, the building was used as the Buddle Arts Centre and was North Tyneside's community arts and creative industries resource and gained a deserved reputation as one of the most distinctive and innovative arts facilities in the North East. When the centre closed in October 2008, it brought to an end the latest phase of a history stretching back more than 130 years.
Reported after Buddle's Funeral, "so large a concourse of people was perhaps never before assembled in Newcastle on such a mournful occasion"
http://www.dmm.org.uk/archives/a_obit01.htm
http://www.dmm.org.uk/archives/a_obit01.htm
FUNERAL OF THE LATE
JOHN BUDDLE (JNR) ESQ. .....About fifty men on horseback, principally agents of the deceased, assembled on the New Bridge and awaited the arrival of the procession at Newcastle, when they took place in front; and, on arriving at Eldon Square, the procession was joined by a long line of carriages, containing the members of the coal trade committee, who had assembled to pay the tribute of respect to the remains of their most distinguished and influential associate..... An immense crowd of persons were assembled in the streets of Newcastle through which the procession passed, and the utmost sympathy appeared to prevail. The large bell of St. Nicholas poured forth its deep and mournful knell, and the scene was one of melancholy interest.....About a week before Mr. Buddle’s death, he had ordered the vault be painted and repaired, he being at the time in the enjoyment of excellent health, and to all appearances the time was far distant when the last resting place would be required. http://media.wix.com/ugd/6d7911_e53df109ff014aaaa7e76 |
Buddle owned land in Benwell, part of which he donated for the creation of St James' Church and graveyard. He is buried in a vault designed by Dobson. It is said that a seam of coal was uncovered during the excavation for the vault, so Buddle is fittingly buried in the material to which he devoted his life.
http://newcastlephotos.blogspot.com.au/2010/
http://newcastlephotos.blogspot.com.au/2010/
coal Mining
The Coal-Mining Industry of the United Kingdom by R. A. S. Redmayne, in a 1904 publication of The Engineering Magazine., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7331686
Although some deep mining took place as early as the 1500's in North East England, and along the Firth of Forth coast
In 1575, Sir George Bruce of Carnock of Culross, Scotland
Opened the first coal mine to extract coal from a "moat pit" under the sea on the Firth of Forth. He constructed an artificial loading island into which he sank a 40 ft shaft that connected to another two shafts for drainage and improved ventilation. The technology was far in advance of any coal mining method in the late medieval period and was considered one of the industrial wonders of the age. |
The earliest known use of coal in the Americas was by the Aztecs who used coal for fuel and jet (a type of lignite) for ornaments. In Roman Britain, the
Romans were exploiting all major coalfields (save those of North and South Staffordshire) by the late 2nd century AD. While much of its use remained local, a lively trade developed along the North Sea coast supplying coal to Yorkshire & London. This also extended to the continental Rhineland, here bituminous coal was already used for the smelting of iron ore. Mining Links
http://www.dmm.org.uk/misc/h_link.htm Local Records
http://www.dmm.org.uk/localrec/index |
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea
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During the 17th century a number of advances in mining techniques were made, such as the use of test boring and pumps driven by water wheels
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George Bruce was knighted in 1610 for his achievements
Bruce applied technology and know-how to undertake developments, at what became known as the Moat Pit, that were far in advance of anything else found in the UK at the time. He constructed an artificial island in the River Forth to a height of well above the high water mark, and within its confines sank a shaft to a depth of 40ft. The new Moat Pit was connected underground with the existing Castlehill Shaft, and between them, probably on the foreshore, was a third shaft, from which water was drained.
Slezer's View of Culross from Theatrum Scotiae, 1693. Bruce's Moat Pit lies left of this view, just west of village.
Tomb of Sir George Bruce in Bruce (& his wife) of Carnock burial vault, Culross Abbey Church, Culross, Fife
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King James VI visited the works in 1617 and Sir George Bruce invited the King to visit one of his mines which tunnelled down beneath the sea bed. King James ventured into the tunnel and found himself at a shaft where the coal was loaded onto ships. Alarmed to find himself surrounded by water at the top of the shaft, James accused Sir George of an attempt on his life and declared that the whole affair was an act of treason. It was only after Sir George pointed out the rowing boat and explained that one could either use that or return by the tunnel that James relaxed again - and took the option of the boat journey.
Engineering achievements- Sir George Bruce http://www.engineeringhalloffame.org/profile-bruce.html |
The 1606 Act "Anent Coalyers and Salters"
Bonded Scottish miners had been bonded to their "maisters" The 1606 Act "Anent Coalyers and Salters" had placed Scottish "coalyers, coal-bearers and salters" in a condition of permanent bondage to their employer. Any such worker who absented from that employer and sought to work elsewhere was to be punished as a thief. The Act also included provision whereby vagabonds could be placed unwillingly into the same compulsory labour |
A Colliers and Salters (Scotland) Act 1775
Recognised this to be "a state of slavery and bondage" and formally abolished it; this was made effective by a further law in 1799. Although the Act noted "the reproach of allowing such a State of Servitude to exist in a Free Country", it sought not to do "any injury to the present Masters", so created only gradual conditions whereby those already in servitude in the mines could seek to be liberated. |
1712 onward, effectively adapted to the purpose of pumping out the water, enabled the pits to be made even deeper, so that the workings became more in need of the artificial ventilation that was only universally adopted in the following century.
Drops at Sunderland
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Northumberland was part of the Great Northern Coal Field with pits from the borders of County Durham to Scotland while Cumberland's mining activity was concentrated on the west coast of the county, with some of the workings stretching for miles under the seabed. These vast underground tunnels became a source of amazement for tourists of the nineteenth century.
Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command, Vol.20 1850
https://books.google.com.au/books? |
Sadly, the wealth of a few was accumulated on the blood of those who worked in those dank, dark, uncomfortable and dangerous underground workplaces, pulling the valuable black commodity from the bowels of the earth, which came at a cost for thousands of our forbears, with 1,000's killed or maimed in often avoidable accidents.
The Senghenydd Colliery disaster, Wales. 439 miners lost their lives after a series of underground explosions in Britain's worst coal mining disaster.
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Coal mining was a huge part of our industrial heritage and was the formation of many of the towns that now look elsewhere for their income.
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A Pikeman
Was responsible for dropping the roof in the "thick" seam. He had a very dangerous and skilled job, and was one of the best paid men in the mine. The term pikeman refers to the miners who broke up and brought down the 'top coal' in the gallery with a long pikestaff.
http://www.cradleylinks.com/cradley
Was responsible for dropping the roof in the "thick" seam. He had a very dangerous and skilled job, and was one of the best paid men in the mine. The term pikeman refers to the miners who broke up and brought down the 'top coal' in the gallery with a long pikestaff.
http://www.cradleylinks.com/cradley
Deep shaft mining in the UK began to develop extensively in the late 18th century, with rapid expansion throughout the 19th century and early 20th century when the industry peaked. The location of the coalfields helped to make the prosperity of Lancashire, Yorkshire & Sth Wales. Yorkshire pits which supplied
Sheffield were only about 300 feet deep. Northumberland & Durham were the leading coal producers and they were the sites of the first deep pits. In much of Britain coal was worked from drift mines, or scraped off when it outcropped on the surface. |
The Pheonix Pit Old Etherley
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Filling the Cupola Shaft, at the Oaks Colliery, Barnsley, to stop the draught of air
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For the women-
Monday- wash day Tuesday- Ironing Wednesday- baking Thursday & Friday- Cleaning Saturday- preparing for Sunday & the large family meal Sunday, 'The Sabbath'- resting up for the week ahead & also attending Church services |
Pikeman- Coal miner
http://www.blackcountrysociety. |
Small Communities emerging in the 1800's created bonds of association that flowed into newly established trade unions.
The Communities were close-knit with their own social clubs, community facilities and brass bands. A common sight were the pit cottages. Pits were often isolated, and the homes were built near them. A typical collier's cottage consisted of two to four rooms and sometimes had a pitman's garden nearby.
Houses on Stafford Road, Littleton Colliery behind, Jan 1982
http://www.expressandstar.com/editors-picks/20 |
Colliery Rows 1950's, Pegswood
http://pegswoodahistory.50megs |
IndustriaL
Revolution
Coal literally powered its way through the British economy of the 19th century – the so-called first industrial nation and workshop of the world. Coal powered James Watt’s piston engine, whose reciprocating motion was converted into rotary motion by means of a crankshaft. It even fueled engines that drained water from deeper, less accessible coal mines to keep the supply coming. When steel superseded iron later in the century, coal remained a critical raw material.
Coal was King of the Industrial revolution & Buddle was King of Coal
In 1662 Edward Somerset, second Marquess of Worcester, published a book containing several ideas he had been working on. One was for a steam-powered pump to supply water to fountains; the device alternately used a partial vacuum and steam pressure. In 1698 Thomas Savery patented a steam-powered pump he called the Miner's Friend, essentially identical to Somerset's design and almost certainly a direct copy. The process of cooling and creating the vacuum was fairly slow, so Savery later added an external cold water spray to quickly cool the steam.
The Marquis of Worcester's Century of Inventions: By John BUDDLE (the Elder)
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=kBhhAAAA |
Inventions from- 'The Marquis of Worcester's Century of Inventions: By John BUDDLE (the Elder) 1778
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Mine drainage was mainly accomplished using Newcomen steam engines
The atmospheric engine was invented by
Thomas Newcomen in 1712, often referred to simply as a Newcomen engine. The engine operated by condensing steam drawn into the cylinder, thereby creating a partial vacuum, thereby allowing the atmospheric pressure to push the piston into the cylinder. It was the first practical device to harness steam to produce mechanical work. Newcomen engines were used throughout Britain and Europe, principally to pump water out of mines. Hundreds were constructed through the 18th century. James Watt improved Newcomen's engine, which roughly doubled fuel efficiency. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcomen_atm In 1775, businessman Matthew Boulton persuaded the Scottish Engineer James Watt to move to Birmingham and pursue the manufacture of steam engines,
they produced around 500 engines. In March 1776 the Bentley Mining Company started their newest piece of equipment, a Boulton-Watt engine. The Bentley Mining Company had taken a substantial risk by abandoning a half-built Newcomen engine and replacing it with the Boulton-Watt engine. The day the engine started a newspaper reporter was present:
"From the first Moment of its setting to Work, it made about 14 to 15 Strokes per Minute, and emptied the Engine Pit (which is about 90 Feet deep and stood 57 Feet high in Water) in less than an hour". From "Aris's Birmingham Gazette, March 11, 1776. Mill Engine 1797 Boulton & Watt
Explore over 10,000 images depicting Birmingham's fascinating heritage http://www.search.birminghamimages.org.uk THE NON ROTATIVE BEAM ENGINE
http://himedo.net/TheHopkinThomasProject/ William Murdoch (1754 – 1839) was a Scottish engineer & inventor, employed by the firm of Boulton & Watt, working for them in
Cornwall, for ten years, as a steam engine erector, then spending most of the rest of his life in Birmingham, Eng. Murdoch was the inventor of the oscillating cylinder steam engine & gas lighting is attributed to him in the early 1790s & the term "gasometer" (wiki) |
Watt Steam Engines
http://mechanical-juniors.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/watt James Watt- born 1736 in Greenock, Scotland. James, a thin, weakly child who suffered from migraines and toothaches, enjoyed mathematics in grammar school and also learned carpentry from his father. By his mid-teens he wanted to become an instrument maker, which needed a seven-year apprenticeship. John Morgan, an instrument maker in London, agreed to take James on as an apprentice for little pay. Morgan recognized the capa-bilities of Watt, and agreed to shorten the apprenticeship to a period of one year. Watt took the offer in 1755 and within two months, Watt's abilities surpassed those of Morgan's official apprentice of two years. Watt was eager and worked a 10 hour day in the cold workshop and finished his apprenticeship successfully, but his health collapsed almost immediately afterwards.
Watt discovered the Newcomen pumps required such vast quantities of steam cooling during every stroke, then reheating-
"I had gone to take a walk on a fine Sabbath afternoon, early in 1765. I had entered the green by the gate at the foot of Charlotte Street and had passed the old washing-house. I was thinking upon the engine at the time, and had gone as far as the herd's house, when the idea came into my mind that as steam was an elastic body it would rush into a vacuum, and if a communication were made between the cylinder and an exhausted vessel it would rush into it, and might be there condensed without cooling the cylinder. I then saw that I must get rid of the condensed steam and injection-water if I used a jet as in Newcomen's engine. Two ways of doing this occurred to me. First, the water might be run off by a descending pipe, if an offlet could be got at the depth of thirty-five or thirty-six feet, and any air might be extracted by a small pump. The second was to make the pump large enough to extract both water and air. . . . I had not walked farther than the golf-house when the whole thing was arranged in my mind." Watt would not work on the Sunday, as was the custom of the day. He controlled his impatience, then first thing Monday morning he was in his shop. Watt was 29 in 1765 when he discovered his idea would work. Yet it would be 11 years before he saw his invention in practice. http://www.egr.msu.edu/~lira/supp/steam/wattbio.html The gilded bronze statue of Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch by William Bloye and Raymond Forbes-Kings stands on a plinth of Portland stone, outside the old Register Office, Broad Street, Birmingham, Eng.
It is known locally as The Golden Boys after its colour, or The Carpet Salesmen after the partially rolled-up plan of a steam engine which they are examining. (wiki) |
Following the invention of the steam engine, demand for coal rocketed throughout Britain
Over a two hundred year period, mining rose by astronomical rates from approximately 2.54 million tonnes in 1700 up to 224 million tonnes in 1900. Britain was part of a coal mining boom. This demand for coal was both domestic for heating supplies as well as industry.
http://industrialrevolution.org.uk/coal-mines-industrial-revolution/
http://industrialrevolution.org.uk/coal-mines-industrial-revolution/
The Industrial Revolution which took place from the 18th to 19th centuries, was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies in Europe and America became industrial & urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 1700's, manufacturing was often done in people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories & mass production. The iron & textile industries, along with the development of the steam engine, played central roles in the Industrial Revolution, which also saw improved systems of trans-portation, communication and banking. While industrialization brought about an increased volume & variety of manufactured goods and an improved standard of living for some, it also resulted in often grim employment and living conditions for the poor and working classes.
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People produced the bulk of their own food, clothing etc. & most manufacturing was done using hand tools or simple machines.
http://www.history.com/topics/ |
Before the advent of the Industrial Revolution, most people resided in small, rural communities revolved around farming. malnourishment and disease were common.
A Series of Views of the Collieries in the Counties of
Northumberland and Durham By M. Ross, Thomas H. HAIR 1844 https://books.google.com.au/booksi |
Safety lamps, gunpowder in shaft excavating, improved winding gearing, ventilation systems, improvements in iron smelting technology, all pushed the coal industry forward. In England by the 1860's, 22 million tons of coal was used for domestic purposes alone, with heating, cooking and lighting.
Engine near Pittington
Mining Terminology
http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/Indexes/Barrowm |
John Buddle invented an air pump, but it was expensive and some pit owners
were reluctant to pay for a pump |
The Coal Industry of the Eighteenth Century By Thomas Southcliffe Ashton, Joseph Sykes
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=jGe7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=HISTORICAL+NOTES
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=jGe7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=HISTORICAL+NOTES
Reform of the Mines (U.K.)
http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/ |
Coal and coal mining (N.Z.)
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/coal-and-coal-mining/ |
Durham County
Newcastle-on-Tyne. ca.1820
According to the Durham County Records Office website, they list 1510 Collieries for their county from c.1850 to c.1990, that's a lot of Miners.
Managing a Durham County Colliery in the Nineteenth Century
Reviewed by Leslie Tomory (Research Affiliate, McGill University) https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev Durham County Records Office
http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/ TYNESIDE FAMILY HISTORY- Collieries in Northumberland
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ance |
The Durham coalfield covered north, east and central Durham. From the natural boundaries of the River Tyne and the North Sea it extended to Consett and beyond Bishop Auckland in the west. The southern boundary of the coalfield ran diagonally from below Bishop Auckland across to the east coast, just north of Hartlepool. Coal was a very rich mineral resource in County Durham. It was mined in substantial quantities even in medieval times. The Industrial Revolution led to a huge expansion in the exploitation of the coal measures as colliery owners were able to reach deeper and more productive seams.
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From the later eighteenth century the principal landowners of the county, including the Bishop of Durham, amassed immense wealth from their colliery holdings. In the nineteenth century the growth of the mining industry transformed the landscape and the population of the county. Colliery villages sprang up everywhere and migrant workers from all parts of the UK swelled the workforce. The industry had a profound effect on trade unionism, public health and housing, and mines safety. Coal production peaked in 1913 and in 1923 there were 170,000 miners working in County Durham. The industry declined in the county after WW11 and many pits closed in the 1950s and 1960s. The last colliery in the Durham coalfield closed in 1994.
http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/CoalminingandDurhamcollieries.aspx
http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/CoalminingandDurhamcollieries.aspx
The Yearly Bond (contract) between the Miner & the Colliery owner, for many years did not include, any agreement as to the rate of pay. If the colliery owner chose to reduce the wages of any grade, or to impose new fines, the men had no legal redress.
Durham & Northumberland parish & census records
http://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/index.php? |
Genuki- DURHAM
http://joinermarriageindex.co.uk/pjoiner/genuki/ |
The Durham Miners' Gala is a large annual gathering held on the second Saturday in July in the city of Durham, England. It is associated with the coal mining heritage (and particularly that of miners' trade unionism) of the Durham Coalfield, which stretched throughout the traditional County of Durham.
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The Miners' Galas were a great social occasion, and a chance for the workers to enjoy a day out with their families. They met everyone from the surrounding villages, many of whom they only saw once a year. The biggest of all was the Durham Miners' Gala which has become a national institution, and is still an important date in the North's calendar.
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It is also locally called "The Big Meeting" or "Durham Big Meeting". Its highlight consists of banners, each typically accompanied by a brass band, which are marched to the old Racecourse, where political speeches are delivered. In the afternoon a Miners' service is held in Durham Cathedral, which may include the blessing of any new banners.
DESCENT INTO A NEWCASTLE COAL MINE
http://www.east-durham.co.uk/seaham/decent%20into%20a%20mine/ |
East Durham Then & Now
http://www.east-durham.co.uk/ |
On his holidays, the pitman dressed in gaudy colours, with gaily variegated patterns. Foot-racing and cock-fighting were favourite amusements,
with as much poaching as could be managed ; alternating with gambling at cards
and the milder quoits, bowls and " hand-ball."
with as much poaching as could be managed ; alternating with gambling at cards
and the milder quoits, bowls and " hand-ball."
The parish of Bishopwearmouth – an unofficial census of 1570 (names) by Ken Coleman
http://durhamrecordsonline.com/library/bishop As well as local history & record searching, Durham Records online, also have some transcribed Wills
http://durhamrecordsonline.com/library/ |
Petition to release Sunderland men who are prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars
Transcribed by Ken Coleman Names alphabetized, from the National Archives petition http://durhamrecordsonline.co |
"The Miners' Hymns" Trailer 2:58
The website below, is a resource designed to help uncover more about the miners and mining communities represented in The Miners’ Hymns
http://theminershymns.com/resource/education Carols from the Coalmines
http://gerald-massey.org.uk/skipsey/b_carols.htm |
The ill-fated coal mining communities in North East England are the subject of this inspired documentary by multi-media artist Bill Morrison. Their story is told entirely without words, yet the film is far from silent: it features a remarkable original score by the Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson. Using rarely-seen footage from the British Film Institute, the BBC, and other archives, THE MINERS' HYMNS celebrates social, cultural, and political aspects of the extinct industry. Focusing on the Durham coalfield located in northeastern England, it depicts the hardship of pit work, the role of Trade Unions in organizing and fighting for workers' rights, the years of increased mechanization and the annual Miners' Gala in Durham.
The Miners' Hymns A film by Bill Morrison Music by Jóhann Jóhannsson http://homevideo.icarusfilms.com/new2012/mine |
Silksworth
Silksworth Colliery Sunderland, County Durham: 2½ miles [4 km] SSW of Sunderland Opened: 1869 Closed: 06 Nov 1971 Owners: 1869 - Lord Londonderry, 1900's - Londonderry Collieries Ltd. |
Londonderry Street, New Silksworth
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Tunstall and Silksworth villages only had around 200 residents until the pit opened in 1869. Colliery houses were built on the land between these villages by mine owner Lord Londonderry and this area became New Silksworth (These Houses are still here today). In 1871, there were 396 people living in Silksworth Township and 192 in Tunstall. It was principally farmland until the new colliery opened in 1869. Ten years later, Silksworth had 401 and Tunstall had leapt to 4,306 - mainly due to the influx of miners.
http://www.youthalmighty.co.uk/ |
Silksworth: In this township is situated the extensive Silksworth Colliery, the property of the Marquis of Londonderry, and one of the largest in the county of Durham. It was commenced to be sunk in 1868, and the seams now working were first wrought in 1872. The principal seams are the "Maudlin," about 5 feet 9 inches thick, and the "Hutton," 4 feet thick; the former at a depth of 270 fathoms, and the latter 290. The colliery is fitted with all modern appliances, and gives employment to 2000 men and boys.
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The output, which is mostly shipped at Sunderland docks, averages between 2000 and 2500 tons per day. The colliery is situated about a mile north from the village. The village of Old Silksworth is little more than a quiet hamlet, pleasantly situated, three and a half miles south-west from Sunderland, and about a mile south-west from the colliery village, New Silksworth. Near the colliery there are a few houses occupied by the colliery officials. New Silksworth is a populous colliery village, three miles south-south-west from Sunderland, entirely of a mining community. There are the usual shops, schools, and chapels. The village is almost entirely within the township of Tunstall, and the houses seem somewhat superior to the older colliery villages. There is no railway communications, therefore brakes and buses ply daily between here and Sunderland. (Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham)
Includes Names of Dead
http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/s001.htm
Includes Names of Dead
http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/s001.htm
FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH- Sunderland
http://newsilksworthjuniorschoolsunderland.2day.uk/ |
Newspaper Articles about Silksworth Colliery
http://www.dmm.org.uk/articles/s001.htm |
The Building News and Engineering Journal
Vol.19 1870 |
The Colliery School is a large building, erected by the Marquis of Londonderry in 1875. It provides rooms for 290 boys, 290 girls, and 270 infants, and has an average attendance of 230 boys, 230 girls, and 172 infants. A house for the master and another for the mistress are provided.
(Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham) |
The Miners Hall - This fine building is situated in Blind Lane, and was commenced about April 1893. It is a spacious building of brick, with stone facings in the Italian style, comprising large lecture-hall, with gallery and platform well lighted and tastefully decorated. This hall, which may be let for all kinds of public entertainments, will seat 900. On the right of the hall are billiard, reading, and recreation rooms. The total cost, with site, amounted to £3300. It is the property of the Miners' Union.
(Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham) About- Silksworth burials 1872-1904
http://durhamrecordsonline.com/updates/2013/08/silksworth-burials About- Ryhope baptisms 1827-1848 & burials 1828-1878 http://durhamrecordsonline.com/updates/2012/06/ryhope-baptisms |
Miners' Hall in Blind Lane, is now a recording studio.
Many of the streets of old miners' cottages were named after members of Lord Londonderry's family. Blind Lane takes its name from the time when horses used to pull carts up and down the lane. The horses were reluctant to pull the heavy loads up the incline and were blindfolded so that they didn't know in which direction they were travelling.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ Domesday RELOADED
In 1986 the BBC launched an ambitious project to record a snapshot of everyday life across the UK for future generations. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ |
1891- The Dispute at the Silksworth Colliery
Culminated in a general strike of all the collieries belonging to Lord Londonderry in the county of Durham.
As the strike went on for four months, in order to get the miners back to work, drastic action was taken, in trying to evict the miners from their homes which were owned by Lord Londonderry. At first, the miners were asked to leave their homes voluntarily, but when they refused, the mine owners resorted to violent means. Thugs from the towns, known as the 'candymen', were employed to physically evict the miners, their families and their belongings, as police kept control. There was great hardship and poverty everywhere until the miners were finally starved into submission. 'Candy Hall' was the farm house where the Candymen slept.
Culminated in a general strike of all the collieries belonging to Lord Londonderry in the county of Durham.
As the strike went on for four months, in order to get the miners back to work, drastic action was taken, in trying to evict the miners from their homes which were owned by Lord Londonderry. At first, the miners were asked to leave their homes voluntarily, but when they refused, the mine owners resorted to violent means. Thugs from the towns, known as the 'candymen', were employed to physically evict the miners, their families and their belongings, as police kept control. There was great hardship and poverty everywhere until the miners were finally starved into submission. 'Candy Hall' was the farm house where the Candymen slept.
Sunderland in 100 Dates By Robert Woodhouse
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=H8wVBgAA |
Silksworth evictions
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-35597635 |
Sunderland Antiquarian Society Collection
http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org/collections/ |
Tunstall and Silksworth.
http://www.tunsilk.co.uk/page3.html |
Rainton
Rainton Colliery: 4 miles [6 km] NE of Durham
Opened: bef. 1815 Closed: 21 Jul 1978 |
At the Rainton Colliery, which is the property of the Marquis of Londonderry, there are three pits from which coal is raised, named the Adventure, Alexandrina, and Meadow pits, sunk in the years, 1817, 1824, and 1824 respectively. The seams worked are the Five Quarter, High Main, Maudlin, and Low Main, the Hutton seam being practically exhausted. The coals produced are Londonderry Wallsend, Pittington Wallsend, and Londonderry Primrose, for household purposes, and the Hartley for steam purposes. Number of stationary engines in use is 31 ; boilers, 38 ; number of men and boys employed, 1185 ; houses occupied by workmen, 835. (Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham)
Includes Names of Dead http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/r013.htm |
Although coal had been mined in the area for hundreds of years West Rainton was essentially a rural economy, this was the main occupation of people in the community up until the 1800’s. The soil & subsoil are clayey and the chief arable crops were wheat, oats & turnips. West Rainton & Leamside expanded and developed in the 19th century due to the development of the mining industry, as did many other villages in the area. The Londonderry Family, the major local landowners, expanded their coal mining interests with the opening and sinking of new shafts in and around the villages. This subsequently meant there was an influx of new miners and their families and rows of colliery houses were erected, known as The Freehold.
Whellan’s Directory of Durham dated 1894 states the Rainton Collieries, which were the property of the Marquis of Londonderry, were "… three pits from which coal is raised, named the Adventure, Alexandrina, and Meadow pits, sunk in the years, 1817, 1824, and 1824 respectively. The seams worked are the Five Quarter, High Main, Maudlin, and Low Main, the Hutton seam being practically exhausted." The coals produced were Londonderry Wallsend, Pittington Wallsend, and Londonderry Primrose, for household purposes, and the Hartley for steam purposes. There were also, "… stationary engines in use 31; boilers, 38; number of men and boys employed, 1185; houses occupied by workmen, 835." The 1861 census shows that there was also increasing number of Irish and Scottish immigrants coming to work in the mines and as plate-layers for the railways.
http://www.westraintonjubileehall |
Hazard Colliery at East Rainton, showing the old wooden headgear which was replaced by a steel structure in 1915. This colliery provided the main place of employment for most of the menfolk of the village.
The Hazard Pit was sunk around 1816 and operated from 1818. It was owned initially by the North Hetton Coal Company. The owners included Lord Durham, Messrs Wood, Philipson, Burrell and others. In 1820 Lady Vane Tempest had expressed a desire to own the pit and within a few years her husband Lord Londonderry had an interest in it.
http://www.hettonlocalhistory.org.uk/boundarywalk/pointi.html |
"This edifice, erected in 1850 by Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonderry as an encouragement to the colliers to promote the moral and religious education of their children, and as a lasting memorial of the interest she takes in their welfare".
The History & Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durhum Vol.2 By Wiiliam Fordyce
LORD LONDONDERRY AND HIS RAINTON COLLIERIES
In the year 1895 Lord Londonderry lost £15,000 by working the Rainton pits. He explained clearly to his pitmen how this lose had occurred........ http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/21st-march-18 |
Education began formally in West Rainton in 1850 with the opening of the Londonderry school by Frances Anne Vane, The Marchioness of Londonderry. There is a plaque over the front entrance of the school, which still stands today, although it is now a private residence.
The Sunday School Teachers' Magazine and Journal of Education 1861
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=xxYFAAAA A 'Hewer' at work.
Older County Histories: Durham
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/och/durham |
Benwell
Benwell Colliery
Benwell Colliery: County Durham. 2½ miles [4 km] W of Newcastle
Opened: 1766 Pits: Charlotte Pit, sinking: 08 Apr 1766 Beaumont Pit, sinking: 1809 Edward Pit, sinking: 1809 |
This colliery is situated nearly 3 miles west from Newcastle, and is one of the most ancient on the Tyne. It contains the whole series of the coal seams in a workable state, except the Three-quarter coal. During the 17th century, the colliery was won to the Low Main seam, and worked till near the close of that century, when it lay dormant till the year 1789. About the middle of the 17th century water broke in during a great flood of the river, and drowned up the colliery. Vestiges of the crater which the water formed on this occasion, and the dam or dyke which was subsequently built round it, are still visible. Some years afterwards, the water was drawn out, and the working of the coal in this seam was completed.
Includes Names of Dead
http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/b061.htm
Includes Names of Dead
http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/b061.htm
Films of home, place & change from Newcastle's West End
http://archiveforchange.org/ |
Benwell village recorded in
1050 AD as Bynnewalle which roughly translates as "behind the wall" or "by the wall". Referring to its position relative to Hadrian's Wall (next to which was the Roman fort of Condercum, hence the nearby Condercum Road). It was part of the Barony of Bolbec. In the 16th century Benwell village was arranged in two rows of houses on either side of a wide street or green. A plain oblong tower, three storeys high with battlements around the roof was also recorded as being built. |
Early in the 17th century, Benwell was split into smaller estates which were bought by the Shafto and
Riddell families who were merchant families interested in exploiting the coal reserves on the banks of the Tyne. Benwell Colliery was opened in 1766 and operated until 1938
Riddell families who were merchant families interested in exploiting the coal reserves on the banks of the Tyne. Benwell Colliery was opened in 1766 and operated until 1938
Hadrian's Wall, also called the Roman Wall, Picts' Wall, or Vallum Hadriani in Latin, was a defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia, begun in 122 AD in the reign of the emperor Hadrian. The Wall is Britain’s most impressive and most important Roman monu-ment. On becoming Roman Emperor in 117 AD, Hadrian set about making the Empire more secure, separating Roman and Barbarian territories. The most spectacular example of this is the great Wall he ordered his army to build to define the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. The Wall sprawled across 73 miles from
Wallsend in the east to the Solway Firth in the west. |
The Wall of Hadrian
(Documentary) 41:13 |
Hadrian's Wall - Roman Fort 3D Reconstruction
2:20 The Buried Mysteries Of The Roman Cemetery Beneath Hadrian's Wall | Time Team 50:02
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Robert Shafto (1732-1797) was a politician known famously as 'Bobby Shafto'. He married heiress Anne Duncombe.
Bobby Shafto's Gone to Sea
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, With silver buckles at his knee; He'll come back and marry me,- Bonnie Bobby Shafto! Bobby Shafto's bright and fair, Panning out his yellow hair, He's my love for evermore,- Bonnie Bobby Shafto! Earliest printed version in 1805. A version published in John Bell's, Rhymes of Northern Bards (1812) gives an additional verse: Bobby Shafto's getten a bairn, For to dangle on his arm; In his arm and on his knee, Bobby Shafto loves me. The song is said to relate the story of how Robert Shafto broke the heart of Bridget Belasyse of Brancepeth Castle, County Durham, when he married Anne Duncombe of Duncombe Park in Yorkshire. Bridget Belasyse is said to have died two weeks after hearing the news. Thomas & George Allan, in 'Tyneside Songs and Readings' (1891), argued that the "Bobby Shafto" of the song was in fact his son, although his father fits the description of the lyrics better. In reality, it is likely that his grandson, Robert Duncombe Shafto, also used the song for electioneering in 1861, with later verses being added around that time. (wiki)
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A tower house known as Benwell Tower
was built in 1221. It became home to a branch of the Shafto family of Bavington Hall until the 1770's, when it was sold by Robert Shafto (the son of Bobby Shafto, immortalised in the song of the same name). Robert Shafto, Sheriff of Newcastle in 1607 bequeathed his estate at Benwell Towers to his son Robert Shafto (died 1670). He was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1653 and 1668. He was followed by three further Roberts all of whom served as High Sheriff in 1695, 1717 and 1756 respectively. (wiki) The Grade II listed building that served as the set of former children's soap- 'Byker Grove' is to be become an Islamic School.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-132 The original Bobby Shafto has been identified with a resident of Hollybrook, County Wicklow, Ireland, who died in 1737. It was used by the supporters of Robert Shafto an 18th century
British Member of Parliament (MP) for County Durham and later the borough of Downton in Wiltshire. Supporters used another verse in the 1761 election: Bobby Shafto's looking out, All his ribbons flew about, All the ladies gave a shout, Hey for Boy Shafto! (wiki) |
The miners legally bound themselves, under a substantial penalty, not only to submit to various fines and conditions, but also to work continuously at the one colliery for a whole year usually expressed as eleven months and fifteen days, without absenting themselves for a single day. Yet the colliery owner gave no undertaking to furnish them continuous employment, or, indeed, any employment at all ; and at some collieries the men suffered, in the course of the year, many days loss of wages.
During the early 19th century
the washer women of High Cross were in great demand because of the sunny breezy fields. |
Benwell Mining Memories Walk
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Benwell's Lost Coal Mines A Walking Trail https://stjameschurchnewcastle.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/ Benwell Colliery Employees Welcomed home from War
29th May 1919 http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=100&artic West End memories: The life and times of Benwell, Scotswood and the west of Newcastle
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/west-end Historical docs relating to Coal Mining in Durham- Obituaries
http://www.dmm.org.uk/archives/index.htm#obit |
Seaham
Seaham Tempest [Colliery], Seaham, County Durham
Company/Proprietor: Londonderry Collieries Ltd. Situated: Seaham Harbour, 5 miles [8 km] S of Sunderland Opened: 1849 Closed: 1988 Sinking Started: 13 Apr 1849 |
Engine Gamma' and A Diesel
At Vane Tempest Colliery - Seaham |
Seaham Colliery was commenced in 1846 by the third Marquis of Londonderry. Seaton Colliery, in close proximity, was formerly worked by Lord Durham and the Hetton Coal Company, are now worked as one. Here there are at present being wrought the Harvey seam, the Main coal, the Maudlin, the Hutton Jubilee, Hutton No. 2, and Hutton No. 3 ; the Harvey in the lowest seam being 282 fathoms deep to the shaft bottom, and 300 fathoms to the lowest point.
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This seam is 3 feet thick. The Main coal if 5 feet thick. The Maudlin, 4 feet, and the Low Main run together, and are only separated by a thin band, which, however, assumes a considerable division a long distance eastwards. Their depth is about 245 feet. The Hutton Jubilee got its names from the fact of having been reached through a great fault, after three years' cutting in the Jubilee year (1887). This seam is 265 fathoms deep, and varies from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 6 inches thick. There is a Low Main of this same seam, having a thickness of 5 feet. To the eastward the Maudlin, the Hutton Jubilee, the Nos. 2 and 3 are worked for a considerable distance under the sea. The Hutton No. 2, by a fault or trouble, which occurs near the pit shaft, is thrown down below the level of the Harvey, and the whole strata is affected by this fault.
The old system of ventilation by furnaces is still in use here. This is a very extensive colliery, giving employment to about 1700 men and boys, which is a great number, considering there are no coke ovens here. The output, which amounts to between 2500 and 2800 tons per day, is nearly all shipped at Seaham Harbour and Sunderland Docks, a small portion only being sold at land sales.
(Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham) Includes Names of Dead http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/s002.htm |
Seaham Harbour North Dock pre 1899
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Seaham Harbour
lies in the north of the District of Easington on the North Sea coast of County Durham. It is located approximately 22km east of Durham City and 28km south-east of Newcastle. The harbour forms one of a series of ports which grew up along the east coast during the 18th and 19th centuries to serve the rapidly expanding coal trade. To the north lay Sunderland which had, in direct opposition to Newcastle, been exporting large quantities of coal since the 17th century, while 27km to the south lay Hartlepool which expanded in the 1830 to eventually ship more coal than any other single northern port. Seaham harbour comprises two docks, the North Dock, built in the first quarter of the 19th century, and the larger South Dock, extended in 1899. |
John Buddle addressing Lord Londonderry and presenting the silver trowel at the laying of the foundation stone (Seaham Harbour) 28th of November 1828
http://www.eastdurhamheritagegroup.co.uk/14.html |
Originally conceived as a planned town and harbour development, the town of Seaham lies just to the west of the docks. Unfortunately the visionary plans for the 19th century town were only partially realised, although the history of the two remain intrinsically linked.
http://www.aenvironment.co.uk/downloads/Seah
http://www.aenvironment.co.uk/downloads/Seah
The laying of the foundation stone of Seaham Harbour, by Robert Mackreth (1766 - 1860)
7,000 watch as the Marquess of Londonderry lays the Seaham Harbour foundation stone, 28th Nov. 1828
http://ppparchive.durham.gov.uk/photos/picviewer.asp?next=2019
7,000 watch as the Marquess of Londonderry lays the Seaham Harbour foundation stone, 28th Nov. 1828
http://ppparchive.durham.gov.uk/photos/picviewer.asp?next=2019
The Town Foundation Stone
is now placed at the entrance to North Dock having been removed from the cellar of the Londonderry Arms in the 1920's (McNee and Angus 1985, 4-5). Sadly Dobson’s town plan was never implemented due to a lack of funds and instead building plots were leased out to raise funds for the ongoing harbour works (ibid, 13). Only on the North Terrace and at Bath Terrace were better quality houses built. http://www.aenvironment.co.uk/ |