Cadeby Main haulage accident, 1909

Two Cadeby Main colliers inspecting the pit on behalf of their fellow workmen in 1909 were killed by tubs that ran away on an endless rope haulage.

Cause

Tubs on an endless rope haulage ran amain (ran away) while the two men were in the road.

What happened

In 1909 David Bamford, aged 36, and Robinson Cummings, aged 31, both colliers, were making an inspection of Cadeby Main Colliery on behalf of the workmen, as General Rule 38 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act allowed the men to do through inspectors of their own choosing. While they were doing so, tubs on an endless rope haulage ran away and killed them both. One account dates the accident 15 October 1909, another 15 January 1909.

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 15 October 1909. (disputed) ^4,1
• The accident was on 15 January 1909. (disputed) ^2,3

Recorded claims

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

• David Bamford and Robinson Cummings, colliers, were killed at Cadeby Main Colliery in 1909. ^1,2,3
• Whilst making an inspection on behalf of the workmen under General Rule 38 they were killed by tubs in an endless rope haulage which had run away. ^1,2,3
• The colliery was owned by the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries Limited. ^1,2,3
• The accident was on 15 October 1909. (disputed) ^4,1
• The accident was on 15 January 1909. (disputed) ^2,3

Related terminology

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

• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s narrative: “…aged 31, both colliers, were making an inspection of Cadeby Main Colliery on behalf of the workmen, as General Rule 38 of the Coal Mines…”
• Endless Rope Haulage (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…their fellow workmen in 1909 were killed by tubs that ran away on an endless rope haulage.”
• Tub (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…the pit on behalf of their fellow workmen in 1909 were killed by tubs that ran away on an endless rope haulage.”

Sources

1. (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Cadeby Main, 15 October 1909 — Durham Mining Museum
2. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: David Bamford, Cadeby Main, 1909 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Robinson Cummings, Cadeby Main, 1909 — Northern Mine Research Society
4. (primary) Cadeby Main Colliery (UK) — Durham Mining Museum

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