Gospel Oak Colliery explosion, 1860

On 12 May 1860 an explosion of firedamp killed two men at Gospel Oak Colliery, in the South Staffordshire coalfield, after gas was released with water from the roof of a badly laid-out gate road and ignited at a candle.

Cause

An error in the level of a gate road let water back up to the roof; when it was drained through a gutter the gas came away with it and fired a candle near the bottom of the shaft, where a lamp should have been used.

What happened

Thomas Cadman (44, a butty) and Joshua Owen (38, a doggy) were killed by the explosion. The Inspector, Lionel Brough, wrote that the lamp had been neglected as usual until it was too late, and that its use would have saved two valuable lives; he called the case an exhibition of want of skill and knowledge from beginning to end.

Sources

1. (primary) Gospel Oak Colliery explosion, 12 May 1860 — Durham Mining Museum (1860 Inspectors' Report extract) — Durham Mining Museum
2. (secondary) Gospel Oak Colliery — Durham Mining Museum — Durham Mining Museum

Record created: 12 September 2026 · Last researched: 22 September 2026