MineArchiveMinera Lead Mines fall of ground, 1898
Two timbermen driving through the loose fill of an old stope at Minera were crushed on 11 August 1898 when a falling stone knocked out a timber and brought down thirty tons.
| Date | 11 August 1898 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Minera Lead Mines |
| Region | Wrexham |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the timbermen Simon Hughes and John Williams.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A falling stone knocked a timber from its hitch, releasing about thirty tons of loose stope fill.
Contributing factors
The drivage was being made through loose material in an old stope.
What happened
In August 1898 two timbermen at the Minera lead mines, Simon Hughes, 58, and John Williams, 60, were timbering a drivage they were making through loose stuff in an old stope. On 11 August a stone fell and struck a horizontal timber from its hitch, and about thirty tons of the loose material came down on them and crushed them to death.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 11 August 1898 two timbermen, Simon Hughes, 58, and John Williams, 60, were killed at the Minera lead mines. 1,2,3
- They were timbering a drivage being made through loose ground in an old stope. 1,2,3
- A falling stone knocked a horizontal timber from its hitch and let down about 30 tons of loose stuff, which crushed them. 1,2
- The mines belonged to United Minera Mines Ltd. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Lead (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “In August 1898 two timbermen at the Minera lead mines, Simon Hughes, 58, and John Williams, 60, were timbering a…” - Stope (contextual relationship)
Named 4 times in this record, first in the summary: “Two timbermen driving through the loose fill of an old stope at Minera were crushed on 11 August 1898 when a falling stone…”
Sources
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames W part 5 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames H part 7 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (primary) Minera (Metalliferous) — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026