Wallsend Colliery C Pit explosion, 1803

In September 1803 an explosion described at the time as a 'heavy fire' swept the bords of the C Pit at Wallsend Colliery, killing thirteen men and boys and burning twenty others. Most died of suffocation.

Cause

An outburst of gas from the roof in the pillars behind the workmen fired at a lamp in the leading excavation, and the flame swept along the bords.

Contributing factors

The workings were very dry and dusty; survivors furthest from the explosion were burned by a shower of red-hot sparks as the blast drove the ignited dust along.

What happened

John Buddle's account says the fire struck everyone working within its range. The dead included Ralph Dawson, 22, Anthony Parkin, 18, and Thomas Parkin, 14, Nicholas Raw, 16, and George Fogget with his son Matthew, 14; William Dodds died on 24 September. The dead were buried at St Peter's, Wallsend.

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.

• NMRS dates the explosion 25 September 1803 and notes another list giving 3 September; the Durham Mining Museum gives 20 September. (disputed) ^1,2

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• NMRS dates the explosion 25 September 1803 and notes another list giving 3 September; the Durham Mining Museum gives 20 September. (disputed) ^1,2
• Explosion, 13 lives lost. ^1,2
• Gas from the roof in the pillars fired at a lamp; the survivors were burnt by red-hot sparks as ignited dust was driven along. ²

Related terminology

Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.

• Afterdamp (hazard involved)
  Most died of suffocation.
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s summary: “…the time as a 'heavy fire' swept the bords of the C Pit at Wallsend Colliery, killing thirteen men and boys and burning twenty others. Most died…”
• Firedamp (direct cause)
  Gas from the roof fired at a lamp.
• Outburst (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s cause: “An outburst of gas from the roof in the pillars behind the workmen fired at a…”
• Viewer (contextual relationship)
  Buddle's account.

Sources

1. (secondary) Wallsend Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
2. (secondary) Wallsend Colliery Explosion "C" Pit - Gateshead - 1803 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 22 September 2026 · Last researched: 22 September 2026