MineArchiveMonkwearmouth Colliery explosion, 1853
On 14 July 1853 firedamp exploded at Monkwearmouth Colliery, Sunderland, killing three men and burning several more. The mine was worked with safety lamps, but the overmen opened theirs to fire the shots for blasting.
| Date | 14 July 1853 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Wearmouth Colliery |
| Region | Tyne and Wear |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 (William Mills; John Solomon, 26, and his brother Robert, 29, buried 17 July 1853 (the NMRS account names Isaac Storey and Robert Salmon as killed). Five more were injured: John Salmon, Henry Fielding, James Taylor, John Richardson and Hugh Donnison, deputy overman.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Gas collected in the goaves and in cavities in the roof. Safety lamps were used throughout, but blasting with gunpowder was allowed under certain overmen, who examined the place and then opened their lamps to fire the charge.
What happened
Monkwearmouth, sunk from 1826 and owned by Mr Pemberton, worked the Maudlin and Hutton seams at 265 and 285 fathoms. The management knew that gas lay in the goaves and roof, and lamps were used, but shot-firing was permitted under supervision, the overmen opening their lamps to light the fuses. On 14 July 1853 gas fired. William Mills was killed, with two brothers, John and Robert Solomon, and five others including the deputy overman, Hugh Donnison, were badly burnt.
Investigation & inquiry
The explosion was reported by the inspector, Matthias Dunn, in his report for 1853.
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 inspector's figure as reported gives six lives lost, while local papers said only Mills was killed outright and the others badly burnt. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 14 July 1853 an explosion of gas occurred at Monkwearmouth Colliery, Sunderland, then owned by Mr Pemberton. 1,2
- Three men are named as killed: William Mills and two brothers, recorded as John and Robert Solomon (or Isaac Storey and Robert Salmon). 1,2
- The inspector's figure as reported gives six lives lost, while local papers said only Mills was killed outright and the others badly burnt. (disputed) 2
- Gas collected in the goaves and roof cavities; safety lamps were in use, but blasting was allowed, with overmen opening their lamps to fire the gunpowder. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Deputy (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…two brothers, John and Robert Solomon, and five others including the deputy overman, Hugh Donnison, were badly burnt.” - Goaf (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “Gas collected in the goaves and in cavities in the roof. Safety lamps were used throughout, but…” - Overman (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…John and Robert Solomon, and five others including the deputy overman, Hugh Donnison, were badly burnt.” - Safety Lamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…killing three men and burning several more. The mine was worked with safety lamps, but the overmen opened theirs to fire the shots for blasting.” - Shot-firing (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…safety lamps, but the overmen opened theirs to fire the shots for blasting.”
Sources
- (primary) Wearmouth Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Monkswearmouth Colliery Explosion, 1853 (NMRS accidents and disasters) — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 23 October 2026 · Last researched: 23 October 2026