Algernon Pit roof fall, 1901

A fall of stone in a gateway at the Algernon Pit of the Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, in 1901 killed a shifter and a stoneman who were preparing to timber the face, in a roof full of slips that the chargeman had already examined.

Cause

A fall of stone from a roof full of slips at the face of a gateway.

What happened

In 1901 Robert Shepherd, a 32-year-old shifter, and Ludwig Romig, a 34-year-old stoneman, were preparing to timber the face of a gateway at the Algernon Pit, Backworth, when the stone fell on them and killed them both. The roof was full of slips, and the chargeman had examined the place beforehand. An inspection was made and the inquest attended. One account dates the accident 2 January 1901, another 2 October 1901.

Investigation & inquiry

An inspection was made and the inquest attended; the chargeman had examined the place before the fall.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• The accident was on 2 January 1901. (disputed) ^2,3
• The accident was on 2 October 1901. (disputed) ¹

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• In 1901 a fall of stone at the Algernon Pit, Backworth, killed Robert Shepherd, 32, a shifter, and Ludwig Romig, 34, a stoneman. ^1,2,3
• They were preparing to timber the face of a gateway when the stone fell; the roof was full of slips, and the chargeman had previously examined the place. ^1,2,3
• The pit belonged to the Owners of Backworth Collieries. ^2,3
• The accident was on 2 January 1901. (disputed) ^2,3
• The accident was on 2 October 1901. (disputed) ¹

Related terminology

Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.

• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s summary: “A fall of stone in a gateway at the Algernon Pit of the Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, in 1901 killed a shifter and a stoneman who were…”
• Stoneman (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, in 1901 killed a shifter and a stoneman who were preparing to timber the face, in a roof full of slips that…”

Sources

1. (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Algernon Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
2. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Robert Shepherd, Backworth Algernon Pit, 1901 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Ludwig Romig, Backworth Algernon Pit, 1901 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 17 October 2026 · Last researched: 17 October 2026