MineArchiveNewbottle Colliery boiler explosion, 1815
In the summer of 1815 a new boiler at Newbottle Colliery, raising steam for the engine that drew loaded waggons up the colliery railway, burst on its first day in use while a crowd stood watching. Eleven were killed and over fifty wounded or scalded.
| Date | 1815 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Newbottle Colliery |
| Region | Tyne and Wear |
| Type | Machinery |
| Fatalities | 11 (Eleven (Durham Mining Museum, Tyne and Wear HER); the NMRS account gives three killed outright and five who died later, eight in all.) |
| Injuries | Over fifty wounded or scalded. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The boiler burst; the engineer was believed to have overcharged it with steam.
Contributing factors
It was the boiler's first day in use, and many people had gathered round to watch.
What happened
The owners had bought the boiler to raise steam for an engine hauling full coal waggons up the railway. It burst with a tremendous explosion. William Sharp, in charge of the engine, was killed instantly and his body thrown a considerable distance; William Nesbitt, an overman, and John Holmes, a pit boy, were also killed, and others died later of their injuries.
Rescue & recovery
Unknown.
Investigation & inquiry
Unknown.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- The Durham Mining Museum and the HER date the boiler burst 7 August 1815; the NMRS account dates it 31 July 1815. (disputed) 1,2,3
- William Sharp, William Nesbitt and John Holmes were killed and five others were reported to have died of their injuries. (disputed) 3
- The boiler was being used for the first time; the engineer is believed to have overcharged it with steam. (uncertain) 3
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- The Durham Mining Museum and the HER date the boiler burst 7 August 1815; the NMRS account dates it 31 July 1815. (disputed) 1,2,3
- Boiler bursting, 11 lives lost. 1,2
- William Sharp, William Nesbitt and John Holmes were killed and five others were reported to have died of their injuries. (disputed) 3
- The boiler was being used for the first time; the engineer is believed to have overcharged it with steam. (uncertain) 3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…had bought the boiler to raise steam for an engine hauling full coal waggons up the railway. It burst with a tremendous explosion.…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “In the summer of 1815 a new boiler at Newbottle Colliery, raising steam for the engine that drew loaded waggons up the…” - Overman (contextual relationship)
An overman was among the dead. - Waggonway (contextual relationship)
The engine drew waggons up the colliery railway.
Sources
- (secondary) Durham Mining Museum - Newbottle Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (primary) Newbottle Colliery, Dorothea Pit (HER 3123) — Tyne and Wear HER (Sitelines)
- (secondary) Newbottle Colliery Accident - Newbottle - 1815 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 21 September 2026 · Last researched: 22 September 2026