MineArchiveLords Quarry rockfall, 1904
On 16 August 1904 a mass of rock came away from a back or slip above three men working in the Elterwater Green Slate Company's Lords quarry in Langdale, killing Thomas Greenhow at once and so injuring James Hewitson that he died three days later.
| Date | 16 August 1904 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Lords Quarry |
| Region | Cumbria |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Thomas Greenhow, 23, labourer, killed on the spot; and James Hewitson, 40, quarryman, who died on 19 August. A third man had a broken rib and a flesh wound.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A mass of rock fell from a back or slip on to the men working below.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 16 August 1904 a mass of rock fell on men working below it at the Lords slate quarry, Elterwater, killing Thomas Greenhow outright and fatally injuring James Hewitson. 1,2,3
- The rock came away from a back or slip above the men. 1,2
- Hewitson's leg was badly cut and he died on 19 August; a third man had a broken rib and a flesh wound. 1,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Slate (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…from a back or slip above three men working in the Elterwater Green Slate Company's Lords quarry in Langdale, killing Thomas Greenhow at once…”
Sources
- (primary) Lords (Slate) — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Thomas Greehow, Lords, 16 August 1904 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: James Hewitson, Lords, 16 August 1904 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 25 October 2026 · Last researched: 25 October 2026