For more info on this picture visit the Haig Colliery Mining Museum

It was in the 19th century, particularly in the second half of that period, and in the early years of the 20th century, that the largest number of very serious disasters occurred and, indeed, rarely a year went by without
such an occurrence.
The list below is not comprehensive but it does give an insight into the terrible carnage reaped on miners through the ages.

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I am notorious for getting details wrong, if you see a mistake
please feel free to email me. Thank you

Details of many of the Scottish accidents can be found at the
Scottish Mining Villages

1708 - Fatfield Colliery, 69 die in explosion
1727 - LUMLEY PARK. Chester-le-Street, Durham. 62 lives were lost
1737 - 5th August, CORPSHILL or Corporal Pit. Whitehaven, Cumberland. 22 lives were lost
1743 - 18th January, NORTH BIDDICK. Biddick, Durham. 17 lives were lost
1743 - Bensham Colliery, 80 die
1757 - 10th June, RAVENSWORTH. Ravensworth, Durham. 16 lives were lost
1758 - WERNFRAITH. Neath, Glamorganshire. 10 lives were lost
1763 - FATFIELD. Chester-le-Street, Durham. 17 lives were lost
1764 - WINCH POND. Neath, Glamorganshire. 18 lives were lost
1766 - 18th March, WALKER. Gateshead, Northumberland. 10 lives were lost
1766 - 16th. April, SOUTH BIDDICK. Blyth, Durham. 27 lives were lost
1767 - Fatfield Colliery, 39 die
1770 - WERNFRAITH. Neath, Glamorganshire. 17 lives were lost
1773 - 6th. December, NORTH BIDDICK. Washington, Durham. 19 or 20 lives were lost
1773 - Chartershaugh Colliery, 23 die
1778 - 8th December, CHARTERSHAUGH. Durham. 24 men and boys lives were lost
1779 - WINCH POND. Neath, Glamorganshire 11 lives were lost
1788 - 14th March, LLANSAMLET. Swansea, Glamorganshire. 11 lives were lost
1793 - 27 December, SHERIFF HILL. Gateshead, Durham. 14 lives lost
1794 - Picktree Colliery,30 die
1794 - 11th June, LLANSAMLET. HARRATON. Harraton, Durham. 20 lives were lost
1795 - 24th April, PARADISE. Benwell, Northumberland. 11 lives were lost
1795 - 12th May, FIRE ENGINE, Neath, Glamorganshire. 20 lives were lost
1797 - 11th April, LUMLEY. Lumley, Durham. 31 lives were lost
1797 - 19th April, ROTHWELL HAIGH. Leeds, Yorkshire. 13 lives were lost
1799 - 25th September, WALLSEND. Gateshead, Durham. 13 lives were lost
1799 - 11th October, LUMLEY. Lumley, Durham. 39 lives were lost
1805 - Oxclose Colliery, Washington, 38 die
1805 - Hebburn Colliery near Paisley, 35 died
1805 - 22 April, Hurlet, 13 killed by an explosion
1812 - Felling explosion. A coal dust explosion, 92 men and boys killed, the boys being
7 and 8 years of age.
1817 - 1 March, Leadhills, 7 suffocated
1830 - February, Whifflet, Old Monkland, 5 killed in explosion
1830 - 27 July, Bannockburn, 6 killed in fall
1835 - 18th June, Church Pit, or Russell's old Wallsend, 102 killed in gas explosion.
1837 - 28 July, Isabella, Union And Lady Pits, Workington, Cumberland. Flood, 24 died
1838 - 4 July, Huskar, Moorend Pit. Silkstone, Barnsley. 26 children drowned.
1839 - 12 August, Housewoodhill, Barrhead,
1841 - 16 March, Quarter, Hamilton, 11 killed in explosion
1841 - Willington,32 lives lost
1843 - Broadsfield Colliery in Fenton. Firedamp explosion occurred in which 9 lives were lost.
1844 - September. Haswell Colliery. 95 men were killed in a massive explosion.
1845 - Jarrow Colliery, 39 lives lost.
1846 - 28 September, Bogle Hole Colliery Tollcross, 6 killed in explosion
1849 - 13 August, Wishaw Colliery, 9 killed in firedamp explosion
1849 - Hebburn, 31 lives lost
1850, 23 July, Commonhead, Airdrie, 18 killed in explosion
1850, 6 December, Netherton Colliery, Maryhill, 5 killed
1851, 15 March, Victoria Pit, Nitshill, 63 killed
1851, 25th August, Ubberley Colliery Staffordshire. An explosion of foul air took place. 7 died
1853, 29 November, Cowdenbeath Colliery, 5 killed in fall
1855, December 2 - Elemore Near Hetton, 28 lives lost
1855 24th May. Oldfield Colliery in Fenton, North Staffordshire. 7 killed and several injured by an explosion.
1857 - Lundhill Explosion, - Firedamp explosion, 189 lives lost
1860 - Burradon Disaster, 76 lives lost
1861, 7 August, Dykehead, near Hamilton, 12 killed by fire
1861. Clay Cross Colliery. 11th June, mine flooded, twenty three lives lost.
1862 - New Hartley Colliery collapse Near Blyth 204 lives lost
1862, 16th January, New Hartley Pit Disaster. 204 killed, including children as young as 10. (Thanks to Jon Archer for putting me right on this date)
1866 - Pelton Disaster, 24 lives lost
1866, Talke o' the Hill. 89 men and boys were killed in an explosion.
1866, 13th DecOaks Colliery near Barnsley. Two explosions killed 361 men and boys..
1870, Sheriff Pit, Silverdale, an explosion occurred at Sheriff Pit, which killed 19 men.
1871. Rennishaw Park. 10th January, explosion, twenty seven killed, twelve injured.
1871, 6th September. Moss Colliery Disaster.
1874, 12th April Underwood Pit, Philip's Great Grandfather, John Smith lost his life on the Sunday, aged 22 years, trying to rescue a pony during a pit fire.
1875, 30th April, Bunker's Hill Colliery 43 miners killed by an explosion
1875, 6th December, Swaithe Main disaster killed 143 miners
1877, 22 October, Blantyre, more than 200 killed in explosion
1878, 5 March, Blantyre, 6 killed
1878, 8 March, Barrwood, Kilsyth, 17 killed by fire and explosion
1878, 7th June, Wood Pit. Haydock, Lancashire.at least 204 killed by an explosion
1878, 11th September, Prince of Wales, Abercarn. 325 men and boys working underground when a massive explosion ripped through the workings,
1880, 21 Jan, Leycette, Fair Lady Pit Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by shot firing, 62 killed
1879, 2 July, Blantyre, 28 killed.
1880, Seaham Colliery explosion and fire, 164 men lost their lives
1881, 7th Feb, Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Explosion Twenty-one persons were
1882, 7th November, Parkhouse Colliery, Catty Pit as it was better known. explosion, forty five lives lost.
1882, February 16 - Trimdon Grange disaster 74 lives lost
1882, April 18 - Tudhoe Blast 35 lives lost
1886, 2nd of Dec., Explosion at Elemore Colliery, near Hetton, in the county of Durham, causing the death of 28 persons.
1886, Altoft Colliery in Yorkshire, coal dust explosion, loss of 22 lives
1887, 28 May, Udston, near Hamilton 73 killed in fire damp explosion
1889, 5 September, Mauricewood, Penicuik , near Edinburgh 63 killed by fire
1889, 16th October Mossfield Colliery Explosion, 64 were killed along with 16 pit ponies.
1893,11th of April, Great Western Colliery, the Rhondda Valley. 63 lost their lives
1893, 4th July Combs pit, THORNHILL. Dewsbury, Yorkshire. 135 lost their lives, explosion
1895,14th January, Diglake Colliery in North Staffordshire with the loss of 77 lives.
1895, 11th November. Blackwell ‘A’ Winning, explosion, seven lives lost.
1896, April 13, Brancepeth, 20 lives lost
1899, August 15, Brandon Pit, 6 lives lost
1901, 24th May, Universal, Senghenydd, Glamorgan, 81 killed.
1901, 15 February, Hill of Beath, Fife 7 killed by fire
1901, 26 August, Donibristle, 8 killed
1904, Boythorpe Lane Colliery, 20th October, explosion.
1905, 10th March, Cambrian. Clydach Vale, Glamorgan 33 killed.
1905, 11th July, National, Wattstown, Glamorgan. 119 killed.
1906 Courrieres, Pas-de-Calais, Northern France, 1,099 killed. Coal dust explosion
1906, 14th October, Wingate Grange, Durham. 25 killed.
1907, 15th November Barrow Colliery, Barnsley, 7 persons killed and 9 injured
1907 Hoyland Silkstone Colliery, Barnsley
1908 Glebe Colliery Washington.
1908 Hamstead Colliery, Birmingham.
1908 Norton Hill Colliery, Midsomer Norton.
1908 Maypole Colliery, Wigan.
1908, Feb 20 - Washington Glebe, Disaster 14 lives lost
1908, 4th March, Hamstead, Staffordshire. 25 killed.
1908, 18th August, Maypole, Wigan, Lancashire . 76 killed.
1908, 28th Jan 1908 Roachburn Pit Disaster, Steve Barker and Durham Mining Museum
1909, 16th February, West Stanley, Durham 168 killed.
1909, 29th October, Darran, Glamorgan. 27 killed.
1909, 10 December, Caprington, near Kilmarnock, 10 killed by inrush of water
1910, 19 January, Hattonrigg, Bellshill, 8 killed in fall
1910, 11th May, Wellington, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 136 killed.
1910, 4th December, Kemberton Pit, Shropshire. 7 killed.
1910, 21st December, Pretoria Pit at Westhoughton, Lancashire. 344 killed.
1911, Southgate Colliery, 22nd November, cage accident, three killed, nine injured.
1912, 9th July, Cadeby Main, Yorkshire. 88 killed.
1913, 7th February Rufford Colliery Disaster, Mansfield, 14 Killed
1913, 3 August, Cadder, near Bishopbriggs, 22 killed by fire
1913, 14th October, Universal, Senghenydd, Glamorgan. 440 killed.
1914, 30th May, Wharncliffe-Silkstone (Tankersley, Barnsley) Colliery, 11 persons killed and 4 injured. Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by faulty electrical equipment on coal cutting machine.
1915, 15th January, Minnie Pit, Podmore Hall, Staffordshire. 9 killed.
1915, 25th February, New Hem Heath, Chesterton, 12 killed.
1916, 26 April, Neilsland Colliery, Hamilton, 5 killed by roof fall
1918, 12th January, Minnie Pit, Podmore Hall, Staffordshire. 155 killed.
1918, 9 July, Stanrigg Colliery, near Airdrie, 19 killed
1919. Oxcroft Colliery. 6th April, six killed, seven injured.
1919, 20th October, Levant Tin Mine, Cornwall. 31 killed.
1922, Whittington Opencast. 22nd June. 3 men gassed, two died.
1922, 5th September, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.1. 39 killed.
1923, 28th July, Maltby, Yorkshire 27 killed.
1923, 25th September, Redding, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. 40 killed.
1925, 30th March, View Pit, Montagu Colliery, Northumberland. 38 killed.
1925, 18th December, Birchenwood, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. 7 killed.
1927, 1st March, Bilsthorpe Disaster,. 14 killed.
1927, 1st March, Marine, Monmouthshire. 52 killed.
1927, 13th December, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.2. 4 killed.
1928, 3rd January, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.3. 14 killed.
1928, Wallsend Colliery, 10th January, explosion.
1928, 12th. February, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 13 killed. (explosion).
1928, 28th. November. Wernbwll Colliery. 7 killed. (explosion).
1929, 18th. March. Coombs Wood Colliery. 8 killed. (fire).
1929, 10th. July. Milfraen Colliery, Blaenavon. 9 killed. (explosion).
1930, 24th. February. Wath Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (explosion).
1930, 26th. February. Lyme Pit, Lancashire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1930, 10th. March. Allerton Bywater Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1930, 30th. August. Auchinraith Colliery. 6 killed. (explosion).
1930, 1st. October. Grove Colliery,(Brownhills), Staffordshire. 14 killed. (explosion).
1930, 12th. December. Houghton Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (explosion).
1931, 29th January, Haig Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland No.4. 27 killed.
1931, 20th November, Bentley, Yorkshire. 45 killed.
1931, 31 October, Bowhill Colliery, Cardenden. 10 killed in explosion
1931, November, Bowhill Colliery. Scotland. 10 killed. (explosion)
1931, 20th November, Bentley Colliery Disaster, - Explosion, 45 Men Died
1932, 25th. January. Llwynypia (Scotch) Colliery, Glamorgan. 11 killed. (explosion).
1932, 10th. October. Bickershaw, No. 3 Pit, Lancashire. 19 killed. (shaft accident).
1932, 12th November, Edge Green Number 9, Garswood Hall, Lancashire 27 killed.
1932, 16th November. Cardowan Colliery. 11 killed. (explosion).
1933, 16th. May. West Cannock Colliery, Staffordshire. 6 killed. (explosion).
1933, Grassmoor Colliery, 19th November, explosion, fourteen killed, eight injured.
1934, 22nd September, Gresford, Denbighshire 265 killed.
1934, 26th July. Bilsthorpe Colliery, Nottinghamshire. 9 killed. (explosion).
1935, Glapwell Colliery. 10th September, six trapped, one died, three hospitalised.
1935, 12th September. North Gawber (Lidgett), Yorkshire. 19 killed. (explosion).
1936, 21 March, Bardykes, near Glasgow, 5 killed by roof fall
1936, 6th August, Wharncliffe, Woodmoore Colliery, Yorkshire. 58 killed.
1937, Winterbank Pit, (Wincobank) South Normanton,Derbyshire 15th February, explosion, 7 killed, 4 injured, one died later. (Thanks to Albert Cosford for this information)
1937, 21st January, Markham No.1 (Blackshale) Derbyshire. 9 killed.
1937, 2nd July, Holditch, Staffordshire 30 killed.
1937. Turnoak Colliery, 10th October, seven boys injured after throwing a firework down the shaft.
1938, 30th January, Dumbreck, Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, 9 killed.
1938, 30th. January. Dumbreck Colliery. 9 killed. (fire).
1938, Markham Nol Colliery, 10th May explosion seventy nine lives Lost, thirty eight injured.
1938. Creswell Colliery. 2nd June, tub train accident, 3 died and a number injured.
1939, 28th October, Valleyfield, Fife 35 killed.
1939, Warsop Main Colliery. December 20th. 1,850 ton of roof collapsed and crushed 6 men to death.
1940, 21st March, Mossfield, Longton. 11 killed.
1940, 4th. December. Sacriston Colliery, Durham. 5 killed. (fall of stone).
1941, 3rd. June. William Pit, Durham. 12 killed. (explosion).
1941, 5 June, Lindsay Colliery, Kelty, 3 killed in roof fall
1941, 29th July. Crigglestone Colliery, Yorkshire. 22 killed. (explosion)
1942, 1st January, Sneyd, Staffordshire 57 killed.
1942, 16th. February. Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 13 killed. (explosion).
1942, 26th. June. Murton Colliery, Durham. 13 killed. (explosion).
1945, 4th March. Manvers Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1945, Royal Air Force storage depot Fauld
1946, 9th December. Harrington No. 10, Workington. Durham. 15 killed. (explosion).
1947, 10th. January. Burngrange Colliery. Nos. 1 and 2. 15 Killed. (explosion).
1947, 7th. May. Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 9 killed. (explosion).
1947, 15th August, William Pit, Whitehaven, Cumberland. 104 killed.
1947, 22nd. August. Louisa Pit, Stanley. Durham. 22 killed. (explosion).
1947, 9th. September. Ingham Colliery, Yorkshire. 12 killed. (explosion).
1949, Bolsover Colliery. April 15th, Mystery explosion, three men killed, two severely injured.
1949, Lyme Colliery in Lancashire. Explosion 2 Boothstown Rescue Station men killed
1950, 7th. September. Knockshinnoch Castle 13 killed by the inrush of water and 116 men were entombed. Song by (R.Hunter/D.McClymont) Castledean Music (c) 2000
1950, 26th September Creswell Colliery, Derbyshires worst pit fire. 80 killed.
1951, 29th May, Easington, Durham. 81 killed.
1951, 06 Jul Eppleton Explosion 9 killed.
1951, 01 Oct Weetslade Colliery, Explosion 18 killed.
1951, 31 Oct Killingworth
1954, 13th January. Glyncorrwg Colliery, Afan Valley. No one was killed but around 24 were burned.
1955, 6th September. Blaenhirwaun Colliery. 6 killed. (explosion).
1957, 21st February. Sutton Colliery, Nottinghamshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1957, 6th March. Chanters Colliery Disaster - Atherton, Lancashire. 8 killed.
1957, 26th June. Barnburgh Main Colliery, Yorkshire. 6 killed. (explosion).
1957, 19th November. Kames Colliery, Ayr. 17 killed. (explosion).
1957, 14th December. Lindsay Colliery, Fife. 9 killed. (explosion).
1959, 22nd April. Walton Colliery, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1959, 18th September, Auchengeich, Lanarkshire, 47 killed.
1959, 10th October. Bickershaw Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, Lancashire. 5 killed. (explosion).
1960, 28th June, Six Bells, Monmouthshire 45 killed.
1962, 22nd March. Hapton Valley Colliery. 19 killed.
1962, 12th April. Tower Colliery, Hirwaun. 9 killed. (explosion)
1965, 17th May, Cambrian, Glamorgan31 killed.
1966, Lynemouth Colliery
1966, Silverwood Disaster, 10 men, including my father, were killed in a paddy mail accident Regards Ken Orton
1966, 21st. October. The Aberfan Disaster. 144 killed, 116 were children.
1973. Markham Pit disaster 30th July 1973. 18 miners were killed and 11 seriously injued.
1967, Michael Colliery, Fife. 9th September 9 killed. (fire).
1971. 6th April, Cynheidre Colliery, Five Roads Nr. Llanelli, 6 killed. (outburst of coal/firedamp).
1973, Lofthouse Colliery disaster. 7 killed due to an inrush from old workings.
1973, 10th. May. Seafield Colliery, Fife. 5 killed. (fall of roof).
1973, 30th. July, Markham No2 Colliery, Derbyshire. cage accident, 18 killed.
( 12 severely injured.)
1975, 12th. June, Houghton Main, Yorkshire. 5 killed. (explosion). More information on Pete's site, 'Yorkshire Main Colliery'
1978, 21st. November. Bentley Colliery, Yorkshire. 7 killed. (manriding train derailment).More information on Pete's site, 'Yorkshire Main Colliery'
1979, 18th. March. Golborne Colliery, Lancashire. 10 killed. (explosion)
1893, 4th July Combs pit, THORNHILL. Dewsbury, Yorkshire. 135 died