Disasters
Collieries > Markham
Markham Colliery Disasters.
1937.
Thursday 21st January 1937 at 2.45 pm an explosion happened at the end of the day shift as the men were changing over with the afternoon shift. A flame escaped from a faulty machine plate on the coal cutting machine, a build up of gas was ignited causing an explosion of coal dust. Seven men were killed at the scene and two men died later in hospital. Four men were seriously injured. The accident happened in the Black Shale seam which was the deepest part of the pit and the furthest away from the pit bottom about one and a half miles. (The nine men who died have all now been commemorated as part of the Walking Together project.)
1938.
The men on the night shift went to work as usual on Monday 9th May 1938 not knowing that by the end of that ill fated shift more than two thirds of them would be dead or seriously injured. At 5.30 am the shift was coming to an end, some of the men had already started to make their way back to the pit bottom. Again this was the Black Shale seam which was the scene of an explosion the previous year, the deepest and the farthest away from the pit bottom some one and a half miles. In the pit yard the men on the day shift were arriving ready to start work at 6am. Suddenly, underground, a tremendous draft got up followed by a terrific bang. Black coal dust and smoke filled the pit and a wall of fire swept through the seam. There had been an explosion of gas at the coal face. Some tubs carrying coal ran out of control and smashed into an electric joint box in the roadway causing sparks which ignited the coal dust.
79 men were killed and 40 men were injured. Most of the men were married with young children. All 79 men were buried on Saturday, 14th May in 13 cemeteries throughout the area. (The men who died have all now been commemorated as part of the Walking Together project.)
1973.
On Monday 30th July 1973 a terrible disaster happened when the cage carrying the miners underground in the No3 or 'Shonky shaft' into the pit failed to stop. It was the start of the day shift and by 6.20am 105 miners had already been lowered into the pit. The cage carrying 15 men on the top deck and 14 men on the lower deck began its uncontrolled descent. Sparks were seen coming from the brake cylinder by the engine winder who then slammed on the emergency stop button. Nothing happened and the cage crashed down to the bottom of the pit some 1320 feet below ground. The ascending cage crashed through the winding house roof. 13 men died at the scene and another 5 men died later in hospital. The other 11 men in the cage and one rescue worker were very seriously injured and were taken to hospital at Chesterfield.
The Terrible Accident Caused by an Explosion in the Blackshale Seam of Markham No1 Colliery on the 10th May, 1938.
Number One colliery, a second explosion at the colliery after a tub train accident damaged a power cable, seventy nine lives lost and thirty eight injured.
CASUALTIES.
*CO: Carbon monoxide
Name. Address. Age. Occupation. Cause of Death.
Alberry, Henry 6, Clowne Road, Stanfree 46 Contractor CO poisoning
Allen,Jas. 151, Arkwright Town, Duckmanton 25 Contractor CO poisoning and violence
Atkin, Leonard High Street, Barlborough 53 Contractor CO poisoning, violence, burns
Bann, David, 8, Shuttleworth Road, Bolsover 54 Contractor CO poisoning
Bell, Albert 4, Victoria Avenue, Staveley 33 Road Layer CO poisoning, violence, burns
Bluer, Walter 63, Poolsbrook Road, Duckmanton 41 Ripper CO poisoning
Bown, Charles Romiley Cotts., Barlborough 27 Contractor CO poisoning, violence, burns
Bradford, John Henry 16, North Crescent, Duckmanton 46 Ripper CO poisoning and burns
Bray, Arnold 30, The View, Poolsbrook 34 Ripper CO poisoning and burns
Bray, Samuel 8, Hartington Cotts,Staveley 20 Haulage hand CO poisoning and burns
Brough, Herbert 41, South Crescent, Duckmanton 63 Shot-firer CO poisoning and burns
Brown, Arthur 56, Poolsbrook Road,Duckmanton 18 Pony Driver (Died in 'Hospital)
Brown, John Thomas 29, Orchard Row, Carr Vale 26 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
Buckley, Cyril 20, Welbeck Road, Bolsover 40 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Carter, Arthur 7, North Crescent, Duckmanton 40 Deputy CO poisoning and burns
Commons, John William 91, Circular Road, Staveley 33 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Cowley, George Pretoria Street, Shuttlewood 38 Contractor CO poisoning
Davidson, George 26, Council Houses, Barlborough 51 Contractor CO poisoning
Frost, Walter Jas., 1, The View, Poolsbrook 47 Contractor CO poisoning and violence
Furness, Alfred 6, Cavendish Street, Staveley. 39 Road Man CO poisoning and burns
Garland, Alfred, 32, FoIjambe Road, Brimington. 52 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
Geary, Joseph, 58, Lime Avenue, Stavelley 55 Dataller CO poisoning
Grainger, Ambrose 9, Mansfield Road, Clowne. 41 Road Repairer CO poisoning and violence
Grainger, John Wm. 27, Crown Street, Clowne. 49 Road Repairer CO poisoning, violence and burns
Grainger, Robt. Henry 27, Crown Street, Clowne. 21 Road Repairer CO poisoning and burns
Gregory, Bernard High Common, Barlborough. 34 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
Gregson, Robert 27a, Chesterfield Road, Shuttleworth 36 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Hadley, John William 18, Apple Tree Road, Stanfree. 32 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Hardy, Joe 239, Chesterfield Road, Staveley. 37 Contractor CO poisoning and burns
Hargreaves, Herbert, Snr 5, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 48 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Hargreaves, Herbert, Jnr 5, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 27 Contractor CO poisoning and violence
Hargreaves, Leslie 5, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 23 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Haywood, Wilfred 16, Poolsbrook Cotts., Poolsbrook. 36 Ripper CO poisoning
Henson, Arthur 45, Hartingtori Road, Spital. 45 Ripper CO poisoning
Hibberd, Joseph California, Balborough 51 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
Hill, Clarence Carlow Green 29 Belt Hand CO poisoning
Hudson, Henry 6, Grove Lane, Brimington Common. 26 Gate-end CO poisoning and burns
Jacklin, Lawrence 2, West Crescent, Duckmanton. 28 Contractor CO poisoning, burns.
Jackson, Geo. Henry , Mansfield Road, Clowne. 43 Contractor CO poisoning and burns
Jones, Enoch , 14, South Crescent, Duckmanton. 21 Contractor CO poisoning
Jones, Frank 39, Cavendish Street, Staveley. 33 Haulage Hand CO poisoning, violence and burns
Jones, Thomas 14, South Crescent, Duckmanton. 49 Contractor CO poisoning and violence
Keller, Leonard 15, South Street, New Whittington. 26 Belt Turner CO poisoning
Kerry, Samuel 134, Speedwell Terrace, Staveley. 28 Haulage CO poisoning, violence and burns
Kirk, Rowe 2, West Crescent, Duckmanton. 60 Contractor CO poisoning
Lamb, Alfred 18, Pipe Lane, Staveley 26 Road Layer CO poisoning, violence and burns
Lavender, Harry 67, Poolsbrook Road, Duckmanton. 39 Ripper CO poisoning and burns
Leivesley, John Wm 4, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 46 Deputy CO poisoning and burns
Lilley, Joseph 63, Lowgates, Staveley 30 Road Repairer CO poisoning
Linathan, Felix 58, Poolsbrook Road, Duckmanton. 48 Contractor CO poisoning
Lodge, Stanley Low Common, Renishaw 40 Belt Erector CO poisoning
May, Arthur 45 North Crescent, Duckmanton. 59 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Monks, Fred, 9, Elm Street, Hollingwood 60 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
McConnon, John 14 Cross London St, NrWhittington 32 Rope Greaser CO poisoning, violence and burns
Palmer, Clarence Cyril 23, Myrtle Gr., Hollingwood. 39 Contractor CO poisoning
Pemberton, Colin Gee 13, Barbers Row, Renishaw. 30 Belt Hand CO poisoning
Pether, Geo. Edward 133, Selwyn Street, Hillstown. 30 Ripper CO poisoning
Picketing, William , 67, Speedwell Terrace, Staveley. 24 Haulage Hand CO poisoning and burns
Richards, Mark 9, Moot Lane, Bolsover 31 Ripper CO poisoning and violence
Rodgers, Albert Ernest 18, College Avenue, Staveley. 19 Haulage Hand CO poisoning, violence and burns
Roper, Arthur Rectory Road, Duckmanton. 61 Contractor CO poisoning and burns
Rowland, Jas. Stanley 16, Robertson Avenue, Duckmanton. 34 Contractor CO poisoning and burns
Salt, Saml. Edward 27, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 41 Deputy CO poisoning
Sherwin, William 11, Duckmanton Road, Duckmanton. 64 Engine Driver CO poisoning
Silcock, Clarence Sherwood Street, Carr Vale. 42 Ripper CO poisoning
Simms, Robert 21, The Square, Poolsbrook. 57 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Smith, Frank New Bungalows, Barlborough. 26 Belt Trimmer CO poisoning
Taylor, Fred 33, Staveley Road, Poolsbrook. 53 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Taylor, Harry Westfield Cotts., Barlborough. 32 Belt Erector CO poisoning
Wale, Herbert 14, Worksop Road, Mastin Face Moor 40 Timber Drawer CO poisoning
Wallace, Benjamin 42, Speedwell Terrace, Staveley. 29 Road Layer CO poisoning and burns
Watson, Wm. Wilkinson 36, South Crescent, Duckmanton. 58 Contractor CO poisoning
Whelpdale, Denton 87, Clowne Road, Stanfree. 39 Contractor CO poisoning
Whelpton, Wm. Ed. 48, Hill Top Road, Whittington. 32 Rope Greaser CO poisoning, violence and burns
Whitehead, Redvers Baden 59, North Crescent, Duckmanton. 37 Shot-firer CO poisoning and burns
Whitley, Geo. 115, Pipe Lane, Staveley 43 Ripper CO poisoning and burns
Williams, Matthew 2, Markham Road, Duckmanton. 36 Contractor CO poisoning, violence and burns
Wood, Robert Henry 8, New Bridge Street, Old Whitt. 22 Haulage Hand CO poisoning, violence and burns
Yates Thos. George 5, Poolsbrook Cotts., Poolsbrook. 38 Timber Drawer CO poison
Injured.
Name. Address. Age. Occupation.
Bagshaw, jos. Cottom Terrace, Barlborough 27 Belt Turner
Banner, Henry 136, Speedwell Terrace, Staveley 40 Timber Drawer
Bluff, Geo. Ashbank Cottages, Duckmanton 50 Timber Drawer
Boden, Jesse 146, Poolsbrook Cotts 29 Belt Turner
Bray, Sam 8, Hartington Cotts., Staveley 41 Timber Drawer
Brown, John 56,Poolsbrook Road,Duckmanton 56 Timber Drawer
Bullock, Thos. Brayside, Barlborough 44 Timber Drawer
Clarke, Alec 17, Occupation Road,Barlborough 43 Timber Drawer
Clarke, Hy. 11, North Grove, Duckmanton 26 Stallman
Clarke, Olivery High Street, Barlborough 39 Timber Drawer
Clarke, Tom 7, North Grove, Duckmanton 57 Timber Drawer
College, Desmond Station Road, Bolsover 28 Ropeman
Cuttle, Wm. 53, Hilltop, Bolsover 36 Timber Drawer
Davis, Ron 5, Ford Row, Marsh Lane 45 Timber Drawer
Edwards, Tom, A Poolsbrook Road, Duckmanton 34 Shot-firer
Edwards, Wm. 25, Markham Road, Duckmanton 23 Haulage
Evans, Wm. 71, PooIsbrook Cottages 61 Timber Drawer
Fox, Thos. 69, Coronation Road, Brimington 61 Timber Drawer
Grainger, Thos. 33, Crown Street, Clowne 34 Contractor
Greaves, Jas. 10, Council House, Barlborough 43 Timber Drawer
Hartshorn, Sam 44, The View, Poolsbrook 20 Haulage
Hodgkinson, Arthur 67, Duke Street, Whittington 43 Contractor
Kirk, Jos. 13, The Avenue, Poolsbrogh 35 Road Layer
Linathon, Don High Street, Apperknowle 38 Timber Drawer
Marsden, Jos. 11, Shipley Street, Brampton 47 Contractor
Monks, Kenneth 29, Church Street, Brimington 29 Belt Turner
Oakden, Walter Rectory Road, Duckmanton 43 Deputy
Poyser, Horace 39, Hartington Ave., Bolsover 42 Timber Drawer
Quail, Chas. 670, Sheffield Road, Whittington 24 Stallman
Roberts, Robt. Belt 20, West Crescent,Duckmanton 23 Turner
Singleton, Fred. 36, Meakin Street, Hasland 35 Belt Turner
Slack, Geo. 39, Robertsons Avenue, Duckmanton 49 Contractor
Smith, Alb. 18, Spring Bank Road, Chesterfield 56 Contractor
Smith, Jas. Occupation Road, Barlborough 25 Belt Turner
Smith, Tom 235, Chesterfield Road, Staveley 49 Timber Drawer
Stevenson, Wm. Sutton Spring Wood, Calow 27 Contractor
Waterfield, Ar. 183, Poolsbrook 62 Timber Drawer
Watkinson, Tom 20, The Crescent, Poolsbrook 38 Belt Turner
Williams, Tom Sutcliffe House, Barlborough 57 Timber Drawer
Yarnold, Phil. 39, The Crescent, Poolsbrook 42 Timber Drawer
LEFT: No's 1 & 4 shafts.
RIGHT: No's 3 & 2 shafts.
