MineArchiveSneyd Colliery shaft accident, 1895
Two ostlers going down Sneyd Colliery, Burslem, on 21 April 1895 were lowered into the water at the shaft bottom because a new winding rope was too long.
| Date | 21 April 1895 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Sneyd Colliery |
| Region | Staffordshire |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the ostlers John Dean and Thomas Spillman, who died on 29 April.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A new winding rope was too long, and the men were lowered into water in the shaft.
What happened
On 21 April 1895 two ostlers, John Dean, 26, and Thomas Spillman, 40, were being let down the pit at Sneyd Colliery, Burslem, on a new rope. The rope was too long, and they were lowered into the water. Dean died, and Spillman died of his injuries on 29 April.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 21 April 1895 two ostlers, John Dean, 26, and Thomas Spillman, 40, were fatally injured at Sneyd Colliery, Burslem. 1,2,3
- They were being let down the pit on a new rope that was too long, and were lowered into the water. 1,2,3
- Spillman died of his injuries on 29 April. 1,2,3
- The colliery belonged to the Sneyd Colliery and Brickworks Company Ltd. 2,3
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 ostlers going down Sneyd Colliery, Burslem, on 21 April 1895 were lowered into the water at the shaft…” - Horsekeeper (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two ostlers going down Sneyd Colliery, Burslem, on 21 April 1895 were lowered…” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Burslem, on 21 April 1895 were lowered into the water at the shaft bottom because a new winding rope was too long.”
Sources
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Sneyd Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames D part 3 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames S part 4 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026