MineArchiveLumley Colliery explosion, 1799
On 11 October 1799 a violent explosion at Lumley Colliery, near Chester-le-Street, killed 39 men and boys, two and a half years after one there had killed 31. It was reported that their bodies were never found.
| Date | 11 October 1799 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Lumley Colliery |
| Region | County Durham |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 39 (39 killed; twenty are named, the youngest aged nine.) |
| Context | During active mining |
What happened
Twenty of the dead are known by name. They ranged from nine to sixty-three years old, and families died together: William Crosby, 36, with his son John, aged nine, and Thomas Grey, 50, with his son Thomas, 17. There were also two Humbles named Thomas, two Liddles, two Younger brothers and two Smiths among them.
Nothing is recorded of the cause. It was reported that the bodies of the victims were never recovered.
Memorials & commemoration
The memorial to the men and boys of Great Lumley lists the 39 lost on 11 October 1799 and names its youngest casualty, a boy of nine, who died with his father.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- It was reported that the bodies of the victims were never found. (uncertain) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- An explosion at Lumley Colliery on 11 October 1799 killed thirty-nine. 1,2
- It was reported that the bodies of the victims were never found. (uncertain) 1
- William Crosby, 36, died with his son John, aged nine, and Thomas Grey, 50, with his son Thomas, 17. 2
- The Great Lumley memorial names the youngest casualty of 1799, aged nine, who died with his father. 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: “On 11 October 1799 a violent explosion at Lumley Colliery, near Chester-le-Street, killed 39 men and boys, two and a half…”
Photographs & further reading
This page doesn't try to reproduce everything — these are the best original sources found for this disaster.
The toll and the report that the bodies were never found.
View sourceRichardson's note and the names and ages of twenty of the dead.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Lumley Colliery Explosion - Lumley - 1799 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Colliery Disaster: Lumley, 11 October 1799 — Durham Mining Museum
- (primary) Lumley Colliery Memorial (1797 Lumley Colliery Disaster) — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 3 October 2026 · Last researched: 3 October 2026