MineArchiveFeatherstone Main Colliery explosion, 1872
On 2 December 1872 the deputy William Phoenix, examining Featherstone Main Colliery before work, took the top off his lamp and ignited firedamp; he and two boys aged 13 and 14 died.
| Date | 2 December 1872 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Featherstone Main Colliery |
| Region | West Yorkshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 (3 dead, named.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The deputy removed the top of his safety lamp while examining the pit and ignited firedamp.
Contributing factors
Unknown.
What happened
The explosion happened during the deputy's examination of the pit before the shift began. William Phoenix, 43, took the top off his lamp; the gas ignited and killed him with W. Livesey, 14, and John Cawthorne, 13.
Rescue & recovery
Unknown.
Investigation & inquiry
Reported in the 1872 Mines Inspector's report for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (Frank N. Wardell), not read.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
People
3 of the 3 who died are named in the archive; the rest are not named in the sources read for this record.
- John Cawthorne (d. 1872) · victim, 1872 — Aged 13.
- W. Livesey (d. 1872) · victim, 1872 — Aged 14 (DMM spells Livesley).
- William Phoenix (d. 1872) · victim, 1872 — Deputy, 43.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- William Phoenix, a deputy examining the pit before work, took off the top of his lamp and ignited firedamp; W. Livesey (14) and John Cawthorne (13) also died. 1,2
- DMM records all three deaths on 2 December 1872 as 'explosion of gas'. 3
- Spellings differ: DMM Livesley and W. Phoenix; the Featherstone blog Phœnox. (disputed) 1,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…1872 the deputy William Phoenix, examining Featherstone Main Colliery before work, took the top off his lamp and ignited firedamp; he and…” - Deputy (contextual relationship)
The deputy making the examination died. - Firedamp (direct cause)
Firedamp was ignited at the opened lamp. - Safety Lamp (direct cause)
The deputy removed the top of his lamp.
Sources
- (secondary) Featherstone's Three Collieries: Featherstone Main — Featherstone's Three Collieries (blog)
- (secondary) Featherstone collieries (Featherstone Main, Snydale) — Healey Hero
- (secondary) Featherstone Main Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 19 September 2026 · Last researched: 21 September 2026