MineArchiveFairbottom Colliery rope accident, 1861
Three colliers died at Leeses and Booth's Fairbottom Colliery, near Ashton-under-Lyne, on 13 February 1861 when the winding rope broke in the Wood Park pit.
| Date | 13 February 1861 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Fairbottom Colliery |
| Region | Greater Manchester |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 3 (Three killed: the colliers T. Holland, J. Street and J. Wilson.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Breakage of the winding rope.
What happened
On 13 February 1861 the winding rope broke at the Wood Park pit of Fairbottom Colliery, near Ashton-under-Lyne, worked by Leeses and Booth, while three colliers, T. Holland, J. Street and J. Wilson, were riding the shaft. All three were killed. One record has them going down the shaft, another coming up.
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 men were descending the Wood Park pit when the rope broke. (disputed) 2
- The men were ascending the Wood Park pit when the rope broke. (disputed) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 13 February 1861 three colliers, T. Holland, J. Street and J. Wilson, were killed at Fairbottom Colliery, near Ashton-under-Lyne, by the breakage of the winding rope at the Wood Park pit. 1,2
- The colliery belonged to Leeses and Booth. 1,2
- The men were descending the Wood Park pit when the rope broke. (disputed) 2
- The men were ascending the Wood Park pit when the rope broke. (disputed) 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: “Three colliers died at Leeses and Booth's Fairbottom Colliery, near Ashton-under-Lyne, on 13 February 1861 when the winding rope…” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the narrative: “…three colliers, T. Holland, J. Street and J. Wilson, were riding the shaft. All three were killed. One record has them going down the shaft,…”
Sources
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1860-1869, surnames H, part 4 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (primary) Fairbottom Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026