Dunston Colliery

Overview

A John Bowes and Partners colliery at Dunston, Gateshead, first worked for about a year from 1873-75 and reopened in 1891. It worked the Brockwell at 74 fathoms with about 500 men, and closed in December 1947.

History

Dunston Colliery was one of the industries served by the Redheugh branch at Dunston, Gateshead. It was sunk in 1873, or by another record 1875, from the surface to the Brockwell, worked for about twelve months and then closed until John Bowes and Partners reopened it in 1891. In 1894 only the Brockwell was worked, 2 feet 10 inches thick at 74 fathoms; the Beaumont at 34 fathoms, the Six Quarter at 37, the Busty at 47 and the Three Quarter at 67 were left unworked because of bands, troubles and post rolls. The pit raised 500 tons a day with 476 men and boys. On 24 May 1893 an explosion of firedamp killed a putter, George Fulthorpe, and a shifter, Robert Lowens.

Employment reached 612 in 1910 and 600 in 1921, working the Beaumont, Brockwell, Five Quarter and Three Quarter. The pit stood idle in 1925, when its Brockwell plans with Farnacres and Norwood were deposited, and was worked again from 1930 with 110 men, rising to 363 by 1947 under Dunston Garesfield Collieries Ltd. Its last seams, the Three Quarter, Five Quarter, Busty and Brockwell, were abandoned on 19 December 1947, and in 1950 it was kept for pumping.

Geology

Durham Coal Measures: the Brockwell (2 feet 10 inches at 74 fathoms), with the Beaumont at 34, the Six Quarter at 37, the Busty at 47 and the Three Quarter at 67 fathoms, the Five Quarter and the Tilley.

Workings

The main shaft to the Brockwell (1873-75).

Closure

Abandoned on 19 December 1947; kept for pumping in 1950.

What remains

Unknown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Recorded claims

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

• Dunston Colliery was opened in 1875, closed in 1876, reopened in 1891 and finally closed in December 1947. ^1,2
• The colliery was sunk in 1873 and worked for about twelve months before closing until 1891. ^1,3
• In 1894 only the Brockwell was worked, at 74 fathoms, raising 500 tons a day with 476 men and boys. ^1,3
• John Bowes and Partners opened the colliery; Dunston Garesfield Collieries Ltd later owned it. ^1,2

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (primary) Dunston Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
2. (secondary) HER 6166: Dunston Colliery — Sitelines (Tyne and Wear HER)
3. (secondary) Coal Mining — History of Dunston

Record created: 4 October 2026 · Last researched: 4 October 2026