MineArchiveWalbottle Colliery explosion, 1816
On 28 April 1816 firedamp exploded in the Wellington Pit of Walbottle Colliery, west of Newcastle, and flame swept two hundred yards through the workings. The rest of the men got out through the neighbouring Blucher Pit, but thirteen men and eleven boys were found dead, badly burned.
| Date | 28 April 1816 |
|---|---|
| Mines involved | Walbottle Colliery, Blucher Colliery (related workings) |
| Region | Tyne and Wear |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 24 (Thirteen men and eleven boys, according to the NMRS account; the Durham Mining Museum gives fourteen. No names have been recorded.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
An explosion of firedamp.
What happened
The Wellington and Blucher pits of Walbottle Colliery had been named for the victors of Waterloo the year before. In the Wellington Pit on 28 April 1816, according to the reports, the explosion raged with terrific fury through the excavations to a distance of two hundred yards in one continued flame. The workmen escaped through the Blucher Pit, except thirteen men and eleven boys, who were found dreadfully burned and scorched. The news was carried as far as Windsor, Carlisle and Taunton.
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 gives the lives lost as fourteen. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 28 April 1816 an explosion in the Wellington Pit of Walbottle Colliery, west of Newcastle, raged through the workings for two hundred yards in one continued flame. 1,2
- The other workmen escaped through the Blucher Pit. 1
- Thirteen men and eleven boys were killed. 1
- The Durham Mining Museum gives the lives lost as fourteen. (disputed) 2
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: “On 28 April 1816 firedamp exploded in the Wellington Pit of Walbottle Colliery, west of Newcastle, and flame swept two hundred yards through the…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 28 April 1816 firedamp exploded in the Wellington Pit of Walbottle Colliery, west of…”
Sources
- (secondary) Walbottle Colliery Wellington Pit Explosion, 1816 (NMRS accidents and disasters) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Colliery disaster, 28 April 1816 (Walbottle, Wellington Pit) — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 23 October 2026 · Last researched: 23 October 2026