MineArchiveCotmanhay Colliery roof fall, 1859
Two miners were killed by a fall of roof at Barber and Walker's Cotmanhay Colliery, near Ilkeston, on 14 May 1859.
| Date | 14 May 1859 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Cotmanhay Colliery |
| Region | Derbyshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: W. Cook and W. Ellis.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof.
What happened
On 14 May 1859 a fall of roof at Cotmanhay Colliery, near Ilkeston, worked by Barber and Walker of Eastwood, killed two miners, W. Cook, aged 21, and W. Ellis, aged 37. The accident was recorded by John Hedley, the Inspector of Mines for the Midland District, in his report for the year.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 14 May 1859 two miners, W. Cook, 21, and W. Ellis, 37, were killed by a fall of roof at Cotmanhay Colliery near Ilkeston. 1,2,3
- The colliery was worked by Barber and Walker of Eastwood. 2,3
- The accident is recorded in the Mines Inspector's report for the Midland District for 1859. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…were killed by a fall of roof at Barber and Walker's Cotmanhay Colliery, near Ilkeston, on 14 May 1859.” - HM Chief Inspector of Mines (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…and W. Ellis, aged 37. The accident was recorded by John Hedley, the Inspector of Mines for the Midland District, in his report for the year.” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “Two miners were killed by a fall of roof at Barber and Walker's Cotmanhay Colliery, near Ilkeston, on 14 May…”
Sources
- (primary) Cotmanhay Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1850-1859, surnames C (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists), via the Internet Archive
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1850-1859, surnames E (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists), via the Internet Archive
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026