MineArchiveMarkham Colliery explosion, 1937
A firedamp explosion at Markham Colliery, ignited by a faulty electrical coal-cutter after a roof break released trapped gas, killed 9 men by carbon monoxide poisoning on 21 January 1937.
| Date | 21 January 1937 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Markham Colliery |
| Region | Derbyshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 9 (The nine dead, all killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, were Ralph Marsden (41), Edward Baggaley (34), Charles Moreton (29), Frank Roddy (25), Leonard Cadywould (21), Joseph Furniss (28), William Caulwell (48), Edmund Smith (29) and Wilfred E. Slater (30).) |
| Injuries | Several other men survived with burn injuries. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A roof break near the coal cutter released trapped firedamp; a faulty replacement cover plate on the cutter's electrical controller compartment, where coal dust had collected in a small gap, produced a spark that ignited the gas. The inquiry described it as resulting from 'an unforeseen combination of abnormal conditions'.
What happened
Cutter operators arrived to begin work around 1:45pm; witnesses reported a flash and a crack from the machine, with one operator seeing a blue flame flash from its side. The main explosion followed around 2:40pm, described by witnesses as 'a crack like a shot out of a gun' accompanied by intense flame and smoke, travelling from the left bank toward the loader gate.
Investigation & inquiry
An inquest held on 18-19 February 1937 found the explosion was purely one of firedamp, with coal dust playing no part, caused by the coal cutter's faulty electrical design combined with the roof break; recovered safety lamps were found generally serviceable, and the jury concluded the company had maintained proper safety precautions.
Memorials & commemoration
Commemorated, alongside the colliery's 1938 and 1973 disasters, by the 'Walking Together' memorial trail of 106 steel figures (see the mine's own record).
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- A roof break released trapped firedamp near the coal cutter; a faulty replacement cover plate on its electrical controller, where coal dust had collected, produced the ignition spark. 1,2
- Nine men died of carbon monoxide poisoning: Ralph Marsden, Edward Baggaley, Charles Moreton, Frank Roddy, Leonard Cadywould, Joseph Furniss, William Caulwell, Edmund Smith and Wilfred E. Slater. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “…cover plate on the cutter's electrical controller compartment, where coal dust had collected in a small gap, produced a spark that ignited the…” - Coal Cutter (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “A roof break near the coal cutter released trapped firedamp; a faulty replacement cover plate on the…” - Filler (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…by intense flame and smoke, travelling from the left bank toward the loader gate.” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A firedamp explosion at Markham Colliery, ignited by a faulty electrical…” - Safety Lamp (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “…faulty electrical design combined with the roof break; recovered safety lamps were found generally serviceable, and the jury concluded the company…”
Sources
- (secondary) Markham Colliery disaster — Wikipedia
- (secondary) Markham Colliery Explosion - Markham - 1937 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 27 August 2026 · Last researched: 27 August 2026