MineArchiveTibshelf Colliery roof fall, 1897
Two men clearing rock brought down by a shot at the gate end of Tibshelf No. 3 pit were killed by a second, heavier roof fall on 14 January 1897.
| Date | 14 January 1897 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Tibshelf Colliery |
| Region | Derbyshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the stallman Enock Davies and the loader Walter Machin.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A second, heavier fall of roof came down while rock from a shot was being cleared.
What happened
On 14 January 1897 a shot was fired at the gate end in the Tupton coal at Tibshelf No. 3 pit, near Alfreton. The stallman Enock Davies, 37, the loader Walter Machin, 18, and a third man went in to clear away the rock it had brought down, and a further and heavier fall of roof came down and killed Davies and Machin.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 14 January 1897 the stallman Enock Davies, 37, and the loader Walter Machin, 18, were killed by a fall of roof at Tibshelf No. 3 pit. 1,2,3
- A shot had been fired at the gate end, and as they and another man went to clear the rock away a further and heavier fall of roof came down. 1,2,3
- The fall was in the Tupton coal, and the colliery belonged to the Babbington Coal Company. 2,3
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: “On 14 January 1897 a shot was fired at the gate end in the Tupton coal at Tibshelf No. 3 pit, near Alfreton. The stallman Enock Davies, 37,…” - Filler (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…No. 3 pit, near Alfreton. The stallman Enock Davies, 37, the loader Walter Machin, 18, and a third man went in to clear away the rock it…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…the gate end of Tibshelf No. 3 pit were killed by a second, heavier roof fall on 14 January 1897.”
Sources
- (primary) Tibshelf Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames M (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames D part 2 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026