What happened to Easington Colliery?

Easington Colliery is a town in County Durham, England, known for a history of coal mining. The town suffered a significant mining accident on 29 May 1951, when an explosion in the mine resulted in the deaths of 83 men (including 2 rescue workers). …

How deep was Easington pit?

1586 feet
The south shaft of Easington Colliery NZ4344 : Capped shaft of Easington Colliery was 1586 feet (483 metres) deep. It was the main entrance for miners who reached its depths in just over a minute from the surface riding in a similar three-tier pit cage as the one erected here.

What happened at Easington Colliery in 1914?

There was one fatality under this heading {Suffocation by Natural Gases}, which occurred at Easington Colliery, Durham, on the 3rd April….

Date: 3rd April 1914
Cause: Suffocated by natural gas
Lives Lost: 1
Category: Miscellaneous Underground Accidents :: Suffocation by Natural Gases

When did Easington Colliery pit close?

7 May 1993
On 7 May 1993, Easington was the last pit in the Durham coalfield to close. The closure of Easington ended coal mining in a region that had been synonymous with the industry for over two hundred years.

Which was the deepest mine in Durham?

Pemberton and Thompson. The Bensham seam, 5 feet 8 inches thick, was come to, Feb 15th, 1834, at a depth of 267 fathoms ; and on April 4th, 1846, the Hutton seam, 4 feet 8 inches thick was won, at a total depth from the surface of 287 fathoms, or 1,720 feet! This is the deepest mine in the world.

How many coal mines were there in Durham?

By the time of Nationalization, the number of miners in County Durham, had fallen to 108,000 and there were 127 collieries. Nationalization was not enough to save many pits from closure as many mines were worked of their coal or sometimes controversially declared ‘uneconomic’.

What year was Easington pit disaster?

1951
The Easington colliery disaster of 29 May 1951 started when a spark from a cutting machine ignited a pocket of gas in one of the seams, creating an explosion which resulted in the deaths of 83 men, including two rescue workers.

Is Easington a nice place to live?

Poor educational standards, high unemployment and lack of industry has placed Easington, in County Durham, firmly in the top ten of the least desirable areas – alongside Methyr Tydfil, Salford and Hackney.

When was Easington Colliery built?

1899
The Village of Easington Colliery was built at the beginning of the 20th century specifically to house miners and their families. The colliery opened in 1899 but didn’t start producing coal until 1910. A disaster in 1951 claimed the lives of 83 men. The colliery closed in 1993.

Why did coal mining decline in the UK?

Reasons for the Decline in the UK Coal industry. From the 1960s, the UK discovered cheaper sources of energy, such as north sea gas and oil. Also the nuclear power industry provided a new source of energy. With new energy sources, we became less dependent on coal.

Is Durham a mining town?

In the 1800’s Durham was the leading producer of coal in England, firing the Industrial Revolution and whilst Durham’s landscape today shows little signs of this once extensive industry, the heritage of coal is still very much alive in our county. …

Are there any coal mines left in the North East?

In 2005, Ellington Colliery, in Northumberland, was the last to close in the North East. However coal has continued to be extracted from open cast mines, albeit on a much smaller scale.

How old is Glendene school in the UK?

These establishments are linked with Glendene School, URN: 114346. For example, they may be predecessor or successor establishments. The age range that the establishment is legally allowed to make provision for. The number of pupil places the establishment can accommodate.

Where is Easington Colliery in the United Kingdom?

Easington Colliery is situated on the coast in the County of Durham, between the ports of Seaham Harbour and West Hartlepool, nine miles north west of the latter. There are two principal shafts, both circular and both 20 feet in diameter.

What was the cause of the Easington Colliery explosion?

At Easington in 1951 blunt picks from the coal cutter hit a patch of pyrites and generated sparks. The firedamp leaking from the void above the goaf was ignited. The resulting explosion travelled down the south headings to the west roads.

How old was Easington Colliery when it was bombed?

The memorial was inaugurated on 22 March 1952. On the same occasion, Easington Colliery’s youngest miner, a boy of 16, planted the first of 83 trees, to line the walkway. Each tree symbolises a life lost in the disaster.