MineArchiveLumley Colliery shaft accident, 1866
Two hewers waiting to ride the shaft at the Earl of Durham's Lumley Colliery were killed on 21 July 1866 when a chain fell down the shaft on them.
| Date | 21 July 1866 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Lumley Colliery |
| Region | County Durham |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: William Ferguson and George Harbottle.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A chain falling down the shaft.
What happened
On Saturday 21 July 1866 two hewers at Lumley Colliery, the Earl of Durham's pit near Fencehouses, William Ferguson and George Harbottle, were at the shaft about to ascend when a chain fell down the shaft and killed them both. They were buried in the churchyard at Great Lumley.
Memorials & commemoration
Both men lie in Great Lumley churchyard.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 21 July 1866 the hewers William Ferguson and George Harbottle were killed at Lumley Colliery by a chain that fell down the shaft as they were about to ascend. 1,2
- Both were buried in Great Lumley churchyard. 3,1
- The colliery belonged to the Earl of Durham. 1,2
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: “Two hewers waiting to ride the shaft at the Earl of Durham's Lumley Colliery were killed on 21 July 1866 when a chain fell down the shaft on them.” - Hewer (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two hewers waiting to ride the shaft at the Earl of Durham's Lumley Colliery…” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named 5 times in this record, first in the summary: “Two hewers waiting to ride the shaft at the Earl of Durham's Lumley Colliery were killed on 21 July 1866…”
Sources
- (primary) Colliery accident, Lumley, 21 July 1866 — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1860-1869, surnames H, part 1 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (primary) Lumley Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026