HEATON COLLIERY JOURNALS Bud-44-3 Volume 3, 16

th. Jan.1816 to 31

st. Dec. 1821

32 wz [inside cover 0a]

A [0b] C [0c] E

Air Course Jenkin opened, middle Pit, 62, Creep in old Waste, precaution against, 64, Engine High pressure, 161, Arbitration, 156, Coal quantity of in Long Benton,183, Engine repair of, high Pit, completed, 172, Air Pump, 259, Creep in Gosforth, 201, Endeavour District, 193,199,, Ditto Engine Started, 267, Ditto in Benton, 233, Engine Trevithick, to pump water, 226, Communication from E to 3d. Pit Ditto – – – – – – Started, 248, Stopped by Creep, 234, Ditto – – – – – – laid off,287,311, Creep has reached the 3d. Pit Shaft, 246, Ditto stopped by Barrier, 315, Coal crushed in old Pit, 320, B D F

Barrier Stowing, 64,70 Dam Frame, 65, Frame Dams, 65, Benton waste, unplugged, 78,112,235, Ditto, Gosforth, 169, Unplugged, 174, Furnace lighted, midd. Pit, 75, Ditto holed into with Picks, 92,101, Dyke, Thistle Pit, Set through, 170, Fire, 92,292, Boring Benton old Pit, 100, Dodds & Watson Messrs. Opinions to be Fracture, 262, where water entered Bento old waste, 102,103, taken, 256, Bucket-Tree, Split, 170, Dyke to be Set thro’, 301,308, Barrier to be left against Gosforth, 223, Benton E. Waste entered, 248, Ditto – Stone Drift,270,272, Buckets, expence of, 295, Brass Barrels, 296,311, [Bud-44-3]

G [0d] I,J L [0e]

[Ground] lowered by working Pillars, 63, Johnson Matt down the Pit, 115,118, Leather, consumption of, 204, Gins to be made new for Engine Weights, 124, Inclined Plane, 191, Lane Pit, Bottom of got to, 214, Gosforth Engine Pit View of, 124, Leases to be renewed, 240,285,291, H K M, Howards W. End Coals first Shippt, 171, Killed, 60,164,167,198,, Middle Pit, N. Stone Drift, 227,229, Heaton Banks, waste entered, 248, Knab Pits Bottom found, 255, Meeting of Co., 256,284,285,288, Heaton Hall Pills. Under, exd., 251, Ditto – – to ridded out, 303,307, Heaton old Waste, exd., 250, Hill Mr. Geo. Opinion to be taken, 256,

Ditto Viewed Pills. Under Heatn. Hall, 258, Horses No. of employed, 269,288 [Bud-44-3]

N P [0f] R Pumps drawing of, 61, Rollies to be repaired Undergd., 70, Plugs drawing of, 69, Ridding out, 3d. Pit, 117 Pumps laired, 171, Ditto – – – Wheat Pit, 160,165, Pillars, working of, to commence, 192, Ditto – – – ditto finished, 172, Ditto – – – – – – – – commenced, 196, Ditto – – – Lane Pit, 213, Ditto, working, 212, Ditto – – – Benton Stone Drift, 213, Ditto, cutting out of, 265, Ditto, N. of midd. Pit, 268, Pipes cleaning, method of, 273 O Q S

Old Pits, depth of, 59, Staith New, Timber reqd. for, 121, Ditto – felling up, 66, Ditto – – – at W.end completrd, 172, Stowing in Gosforth, under the Bed of the Ouse Burn, 208, Shaft of middle Pit, given way and repaired, 219, [Bud-44-3]

T [0g] V 1. Third Pit, Benton, 108,111, View of Gosforth Engine Pit, 124, – Sunday 14th. Jany. 1816 – Tube to be built on wheat Pit, 163, Ditto – of 3d. Pit, 167,173,178,180,187,193, Observed the Moor Pit – the old Ditto – – – tighted, 177, 202,209, Pit formerly opened out in the Travelled way thro’ Creep from Far, to Ditto, Old & middle Pit, 237, front of Heaton Hall to be 3d. Pit, effected, 255, Viewer, resident, 259, casting up very freely. On ex- W W amining it found it to be tra-

Water Stopped in Bed of ouse-burn, 211, W. Water-course Midd. Pit, finished, 62, velled Air, without any bad Ditto – discharging freely fm. Wastes, 240 Water Feeder of, 66, smell. From this circumstance Wagg. Way, expence of 289, 307, Waste-water, run off, 71, it is pretty evident that there is Water Course, 72, finished, 78 a Fire communication with the Ditto drawn by travelling En:, 114, old Pit Waggon way, Length of, 119,122, Are getting very well for-

Ditto – – – – Cost of, 121, ward with the ridding in the Way-leave applied for, 123, old Pit – 4 horses must be pro- Wheat Pit, ridding out of, 160, cured for this pit without delay Water for feeding Boilers, 195, The middle Pit engine has Wagg. Way from Far Pit to join not yet drawn the water down Cox-lodge Way, 197, but keeps it with easy going Water height of in E when it serves away to old Pit, 207, Waste holed into with Rods, 210, [Bud-44-3]

2. 3. 4. – Monday 16th. Jany. 1816 – Ordered preparations to be made decayed as might have been expected Examined the proceedings in the in the Far Pit for shifting the – Tuesday 23d. Jany. 1816 – old pit – the ridding of the great crane to the last holed West Found the bodies of Robt. Richard[son] Fall at the hitch in the W. mother- Jenkin Henry Dixon & Arthur Dixon, Wastemen gate – near the 2d. Siding is not – Friday 16th. Jany. 1816 – – they were lying on the W. mgt. yet finished. Found the rolly way Finished the ridding of the Fall 4 or 5 yards to the W. of Millars hoven in several places, so as at the Hitch in the old Pit W. Body only to be 4½ feet high; this Mothergate. Found the mothergate very being the case 4 Galloways must – Saturday 16th. Jany. 1816 – heavily fallen at the trouble, where be purchased instead of horses, Found the Body of W. Miller the long rolly way arch was. A to save time in ridding, as the this morng. – in the W. mothergate great part of the Arching beingt rolly way may be lowered after- 2 Yards W. of the Stone way broken down. No passage could wards to make height for the end. One of the feet was fast be gotten over this Fall ‘till horses, and the Far Pit between a plank and the top of – Sunday 4th. Feb. 1816 – Found a capital Air going a Corf & the body entangled a- When the Body of Geo. Laws was away to the North and West mongst the Corves. The head found at the bottom of the in- The men have observed it to was towards the Pit, and he cline plane. He appeared to have have been very good since last appears to have been entangled been much tumbled & one of his friday in the act of escaping to the arms was broken Shaft. The body was not so much – Tuesday 6th. Feb. 1816 – The Body of Lamt. Nicholson was [Bud-44-3]

5. 6. 7. found this mg. a little on the Hepp[ells], Th. Smith &c. got into just in going into the Stables Outbie side of the place where the workings this Morng. and dis- It was lying upon some timber

law’s was found – it was covered covered 55 of the Bodies of the suf- nearly at the roof with the Cloths over with rubbish & had suffered ferers at Gibson’s Crane. They were mostly torn off great violence – the cloths were in two Parties – nearly of equal – Monday 19th. Feb. 1816 – torn off & the body severely mangled. Numbers – the one in the mgt. at The rolly way being sufficiently The bottom part of the Plane the 1st. holing above the Crane – the cleaned got the 55 Bodies out was covered with rubbish several other in the bie-way Board. from Gibsons Crane. They were feet thick, and the plates were They had evidently survived the not so much decayed as might have torn up in the upper part of it Accident for some time, as they been supposed – those which lay and the loose rubbish which levelled had killed an horse – it had been di- amongst any water were the worst up the Plane was washed out into vided amongst them; but little The body of a boy which was covered large holes – it was evident that if any of it had been eaten as with water in the Crane hole, was an immense torrent of water had portions of it seemingly the share a mere Skeleton – the Bones would run down the plane. of individuals was found lying not keep together. The bodies of – Wednesday 14th. Feb. 1816 – near to the bodies – in caps and the youngest were the most decayed Have been employed for a week bags. They had evidently died of in cleaning & securing the Rolly – Thursday 15th. Feb. 1816 – suffocation – the mouths of those way from the Shaft to the bottom Found the body of old Edwd. who lay on their backs, were wide of the inclined plane. Richd. Gibson in the 1st. Stable Board open – those who lay on their Faces were closed. [Bud-44-3]

8. 9. 10. – Tuesday 20th. Wed. 21st. Feb. 1816 – they were all within 100 yards of proposal No business one these two days of the Shaft Friday Examined particularly the si- on acct. of the funerals of the – Wednesday^ 23d. Feb. 1816 – tuation in which the 55 Bodies of sufferers. Examined the state of the old Pit the sufferers were found at Gibsons – Thursday 22d. Feb. 1816 – Found a sufficient quantity of Air Crane, with a view to ascertain Found the body of Shipley Mitch- going – to the Moor Pit to clean the probable time they might inson this morng. in the 1st. Stable the workings. Travelled round the have survived the accident Bd. very near to where old Edwd. workings by the North and West From the general circumstances Gibson was found. It was above extremities – got as far as the open- & appearances I am of the opinion an horse near to the roof – had cast with Mills; but could not that they had survived more been apparently very much tumbled enter it for Styth. than 2 or 3 days at most – prob- – the Cloths were nearly all torn Determined to hole a drift ably only ‘till the eveng. of the off. From this it is clear that the thro’ the trouble into the open- 5th. May, when the Moor Pit 4 Wastemen & Miller all together with cast way, at the 2d. Pillar above was found by boring, and a old Gibson had been all together, the barrier, for the purpose great quantity of Gas, or Air Robt. Richardson as well as Gibson of Airing the open-cast works. escaped. As it has since been

were feeble old men & it is prob- to get the 8 Bodies out which proved that there was a free able that, Miller and the other are supposed to be there. communication, for Air, between Wastemen had perished in conse- This drift to be driven 4 feet the works. Where the Bodies quence of assisting them out – square – ordered it to be let by were found and the old Pit it is probable that the very [Bud-44-3]

11. 12. 13. act of boring into the Pit on suffered much from Cold as hind quarters had been hoisted the 5th. May, put a period to they had made 4 different Cabbies up by his halter – his houghs their existence, by letting the Air or places of Shelter with Bratticies to the head tree of a prop – which was highly compressed es- and in two of them had formed to keep them out of the dirt cape. broad benches for seats or Beds He had then been cut open & The Horse which was to keep them off the damp Thill his bowels taken out & carried tied in the 1st. Board N. from These benches were formed by into the N. wall, between where the Crane, had no marks of [vio] laying props on the Thill, as the two parties had taken up lime upon him & from every joists & crossing them with leaves their abode – in a bucket used appearance had died of Suffoca- of Brattice by the Borers. The other bucket tion. On the strictest examinatn. The Full Corves at was standing near and had no Dung was found any way the Crane had also been teemed probably been intended to hold near to the horse; nor was the Coals being spread upon the drinking water any human excrement to be Thill to make a dry Seat upon The only part of the found; both of which circum- them. horse which had been cut was stances go far to prove that The horse in the mother- his hams; and little if any at all neither the people nor the gate had been killed by having of it had been used, as to all horse had survived for any his Skull knocked in with an appearance, the whole quantity which length of time ax. He had then been stabbed had been cut off was found lying They seemed to have by the Ax being struck in be- tween his ribs. After this his [Bud-44-3]

14. 16. 17. about in pieces. Several Candles – Tuesday 27th. Feb. 1816 – the air drift to the opencast way were also found both in the over- Thro’ the W. workings of the W. way is now 4 yards in beyond the Trouble man’s Chest and sticking on the [subxxxxx]the drift – 2 Pill W. of the but no appearance of holing; walls, which shews clearly that Barrier to hole thro’ the Trouble into Are getting very well forward the sufferers had not died of the open cast way, is 7 yards in & with the broken down Stoppings &c. Famine. had gotten the Trouble – it was – Wed. 6th. March 1816 –

[Key to Mine Diagram on page 15] let @ 6/- P. yard. Holed the Air drift into the open- +++ The Situation, where the Bodies were found The cleaning of the rolly way cast way this morng. Contrary to a, the Horse which had been killed &c. going on very well. expectation, the Air pressed away

b, One of the borer’s Buckets – supposed for Water

– Saturday 2d. March 1816 – from the men very Strongly; and

c, The other do. – – in which the Horses Have got the trouble put down on putting up a main door in the Bowels had been carried away. at the Air Drift to the open cast Barrier it could not be forced into e, a Brattice & door fixed across the end works. – it is 13 feet down. Order- the open cast. It is pretty clear from of a Wall, by which it was formed into ed the men to keep a drill-hole this that the open Cast must be a Cabbin – in the bottom of this cabbin before them lest the Styth shd. back choaked up, and that the Air is brattice Leaves were laid to keep the out to Strong when the hole either finding its’ way to some people off the wet thill The ridding &c. going on very of the old Pits thro’ the Fracture d, The Horse which had died – tied to well. where the Waste broke in, or to a Prop. – Tuesday 5th. Mar. 1816 – the middle Pit. f,g, Brattices put up for Shelter Thro’ the old Pits’ workings The holing was made at The N. Side of the Board from f to g was laid with Brattice leaves in the same manner as the Cabbin e. hh, The Crane hole in which 9 Bodies were found [Page 15 Plan of Bodies in Mine] [Bud-44-3]

18. 19. 20. 6 o ‘ Clock in the mg. & was opened those of Smith &c. to travel all round with out in a Short time. The Waste- Wm. Southern Candles & to enter the Drift where men went thro’ about 11 o ‘ Clock, but Ed. Robson the Waste burnt in with a Lamp could only get a few yards to the Simon Dodds Hewers of Sr. H. Davy’s; but the drift is W. of the hole; but not one yard John Reay so filled with rubbish that they to the East – the Styth being very Mw. Johnson could not proceed. They saw the strong. A good current of Air was Auth Southern Putters Feeder which seems small. going to the W. which cleared the Wm. Hall The also got thro’ all the workings so much in the course Th. Miller Craneman workings with Candles; but the of the of the afternoon as to enable – Thursday 7th. Mar. 1816 – N.W. boring drifts were Foul. them to get to the Face of the Nothing done undergd. to day – Sa. 9th. Mar. 1816 – workings 4 Pill up. Here they on acct. of the Coroner’s inquest The Stables being cleaned and

found all the 8 Bodies – 4 of them on the Bodies, and the Funerals whitewashed, put 16 Horses down lying together in the Face of the – Friday 8th. Mar. 1816 – the old Pit. Far So. W. Board – 2 in the wall The First of the Air was thrown – Monday 11th. Mar. 1816 – leadg. North from it; and 2 in into the open cast this morng. The old Pit started Coal work the wall opposite – going N. over & in a few hours it lifted the this morng. and wrought 6 xx. out of the next Board – this Styth & circulated freely round the All the run horses except one wall was unholed workings in the open cast Way promise fair to answer very well The Bodies found were This enabled Rich. Heppell Th. [Bud-44-3]

21. 22. 23. – Tuesday 12th. Mar. 1816 – winning & the old Heaton Winng. – Friday 22d. Mar. 1816 – Richd. Heppell, Th. Smith & the Gave directions for exploring this Set away a Headway out of the Wastemen got travelled thro’ the Coal as soon as the walls are Stable Bd. last Tuesday, for the old waste, from the W. workings holed in the 3d. Pill. above the purpose of working the Heaton Bar- of the old Pit, to the Moor Pit barrier in the old W. way rier & as much of that belonging – the ancient Pit in front of & other preparatory measures are to Walker as may be deemed pru- Heaton Hall. It will not be completed. dent. There is upwards of 60 yards difficult to make a complete Air Begun to take the Air of Barrier left in Walker next course to this Pit, in the bottom boxes out of the Moor Pit – when to Heaton & as the Heaton owners of which a small Furnace must this is done, as small Furnace must have taken it of the Corporation be fixed be built at the bottom of the Pit. of Newcastle – to work as much – Wednesday 13th. March 1816 – Found the bodies of Ra. of it as they may deem prudent Through the old Pits workings. found Widderington and his Son the present time seems most el- every thing in very good order, and in the Face of the Jenkin igible to begin with it for many a very fair Air Course going. Ra. was lying upon the top reasons. Travelled into the old waste of a Corf pressed close up Lined the Headway going where from appearances there is to the roof & his Son was into the Barrier this morng. and reason to suppose that a con- lying beyond the Corf close found it to be 13½ yards short siderable quantity of whole Coal to the Face of the place of Walker Boundary. There is 70 is left between the Thomas Pit The Bodies were much in the same yards of Barrier on here in Wal- kind of State as the others ker – I therefore fixed to drive [Bud-44-3]

24. 25. 26. the Headway 30 yards into it, which Fortnight Pit broken Reduced the putting will leave 40 yards of Barrier on Now suppose each man to hew 2d. P. xx. & the rolly drivers 1d. P. against Walker waste. This Head 18 Corves P. day on the average & day.

way must be bored as soon as it to work 10 days P. Fortnight – Wed. 27th. March 1816 – enters Walker. Then 576 X 20 = 11520 Corves P. Lined from the West way in Having gotten all the Air boxes Fortnt. the old Pit, thro’ the old waste out of the Moor Pit, and a free And 11520 = 1152 Corves P. day to the Moor Pit Air way made thro’ the old works. 10 Are blowing down the Stone the Wastemen are now employed Therefore 1152 = 64 the number at the latter, to make room in blowing down Stone at the 18 for setting a Lamp – a Shaft &c. to make room for the of men required, and adding 6 for very small one will do, as Furnace casualties & Sickness, makes 70 then a funnel must be put on Estimate of the number of number required the top of the Pit to prevent Hewers required to work 25,000 Ch. Beside the above about 10 will the Wind from checking the of best Coals, supposing 1/6 of Small be required for the Far Pit. upcast to be taken out – Sa. 23d. Mar. 1816 – Marked off a Stenting Will require 30,000 Ch. to be wrt. Opened the bond this morng. in the Stable barrier Heads. This will require 14400 xx. of and bound the complement – the Stentg. to be 15 yards 20 Peck Corves to be wrot. of people without difficulty from the Stable B_b. – the 25 Fortnights P. year = 576 xx. P. – took the Gunpowder off the Stentg. wall to be 8 yards thick old Pit & 5d. P. xx. off the Far [Bud-44-3]

27. 28. 29. – Tuesday 2d. April 1816 – sufficient; but to keep on the safe = 21840 Ch. P. year. Through the workings of side we will make it 36 yards – Monday 8th. April 1816 – the old Pit – examined the So. W. way To support the barrier next Begun to work the pillars in the particularly in order to decide upon Cooks workings as much as may So. W. way of the old Pit next Lawson’s the mode of working the Pillars be, I think of putting Dams main old waste – Such boards as which must commence on the into the 2 Eastmt. Holings between have entered this barrier of 35 yards 8th. Inst. when the Pit will start our workings & the old waste must be stowed up, so as to make double Shift which will lay about 8 Fathoms the barrier complete. It seems to me prudent to of water against Cooks barrier – Tuesday 16th. Ap. 1816 – leave a barrier of Coal between I think of making these dams Lined as far into Lawson-main the So. W. workings of the old Pit of Stone with roman Cement waste, as it was accessible this mg. and the old waste of Lawson’s- The Coals make out 2¾ Ch. from the So. W. Crosscut in the main, to prevent a second Creep of Ships Coals P. Score old Pit for the purpose of ascer- taking place in the latter, which After we get currently taining the thickness of Coal re- might risk the injury of the underway, suppose the Pit to maining between the old waste and barrier next Cook’s late workings draw 23 xx. P. shift = 46 xx. P. the new workings I think from the strength of the day = 80 Ch. or 10 Keels a day As the Feeders of water has

Coal, and the Cover not being 10½ days P. Fortnight = 105 Keels abated very much – to 7 Strokes P. min. more than about 60 Fathoms that 26 in the middle Pit – the water level 25 yards of barrier will be 630 drift to the W. Swelly ought to be 210 2730 Keels 2730 [Bud-44-3]

30. 31. 32. cleaned out and secured without delay .– Wed. Ap. 3d. 1816 – No. 7. – Monday 22d. Ap. 1816 – We must therefore endeavour to let Old Pit Gibson – – 208 – £147..16..11½ Begun to repair the middle Pit the job to proper workmen. Far Pit, Dodgson 73 – 64.. 5.. 8 Shaft brattice this mg. preparatory – Wed. 17th. Ap.1816 – 281 £212.. 2.. 7½ to ridding out the water Level Drift The Shifters began this mg. to rid Vend Heaton – – – – 346 The drift is completed stopped in the Opencast way, with a view to W. Heaton – – – – 346 between the 1st. & 2d. Staple getting to the Fracture in the drift where Formerly – – – 1262 – Wed. 1st. May 1816 – the Waste burst in. Total – – 1608 No. 9. Mar. 20th. 1816 No. 6 Workings .– Wed. 17th. Ap.1816 – No. 8. Old Pit Gibson – – 231 – £153.. 2..6 Old Pit Gibson – – 140 xx. – £116..4..3 Old Pit Gibson – – 229 – £150..17..4 Do. – Dodgson – 222 – 126..16..4½ Far Pit, Dodgson 81 xx. – 70..3..6 Do. – Dodgson – 129 – 80..17..5 Far Pit, Dodgson 98 – 68.. 1..5 221 £186..7..3 Far Pit, Dodgson 83 – 64.. 0..3 551 £348.. 0..3½ Vend this Pay Ch. 441 £295..15..0 Vend Heaton – – – – 828 Heaton – – – – – 144 Vend Heaton – – – – 562 W. Heaton – – 145 973 W. Heaton – – – 226 237 W. Heaton – – 41 603 Formerly – – – 2211 Formerly – – – 892 Formerly – – – 1608 Total – – 3184 Total – – 1262 Total – – 2211 It is thought that the work will be forwarded by putting the Onsetters, Rolly way Men, and inclined Brakemen on by the score [Bud-44-3]

33. 34. 35. Then Supposing the Pit to work and laid the Pit off. It was re- very well – the roof is good to work 23 xx. P. Shift paired in a temporary manner; but under but looks as if it would Face The Onsetter’s wages 3/ 6 = 42d. must be effectually repaired at the Freely when the Goaves are drawn Say 2d. P xx. end of the Week. The rolly way is nearly finished 4 Rolly way men in each Shift – Satdy. 4th. & Sun. 5th. May 1816 – into the old waste – in front of Hea- @ 3/- including Candles – 2..12..0 Got a very good spell at the quar- ton Hall – the working of Coals Nails P. Day – – – – – – 0.. 0..6 ter Brattice of the old Pit will commence there next monday

12..6 – Wed: 8th. May 1816 – The ridders have not yet 23 / 150 / 6½d. P. xx. Through the workings of the old reached the end of the Stable drift 12 Pit. The men complain very much but are very near to it. 48 of the hardness of the work, on acct. Have gotten into the water 2 of the Gunpowder being taken off level drift at the 1st. W. Staple Incline Brakemen – 20 xx. P. Shift them. On examining the work I middle Pit. The Backworth Sin- 3/- P. Day = 36 = 1¾d. X say 2d. P. xx. am of opinion that the Coals will kers ask 17/- P. yard for cleaning 20 work rounder with gunpowder than out & timbering the drift to the Finished the leading of the without it. I therefore decided to 2d. Staple. I think the price ought Machine Pit last monday. allow them 1 lb. each in the Fortt. not to exceed 8/- or 10/- P. yard – I – Monday 29th. Ap.1816 – The working of the pillars in therefore desired Th. Smith to en- The repairing of the middle Pit the So. W. way is going on very deavour to let it by proposal Shaft is still going on. through the Colliery The quarter brattice of the old Pit gave way at meetings [Bud-44-3]

36. 37. 38. Are going on very well with the to the 2d. Staple. This being the – Wed. 15th. May 1816 – N. Jenkins in the Far Pit case access must be gained to the No. 10. – Friday 10th. May 1816 – top of the 2d. Staple as soon as pos- Old Pit Gibson – – 232 – £143..12..6 Wm. Patterson & Prs. took the En. sible – the best way in all probability Do. – Dotchen – 240 – 134..19..2½ Level drift middle Pit – to clean will be to take a Jud off the Side Far do. Robson 126 – 71.. 9..9 out and secure for 8/- P. yard of one of the Coal walls; but no 598 £350.. 1..5½ – Monday 13th. May 1816 – progress can be made till the Vend Heaton – – – – 836 One of the Cranks of the travelling crank of the travelling engine is W. Heaton – – 106 942 engine broke this mg. A new renewed, which will not be ‘till Formerly – – – 3184 one must be made, which cannot tomorrow evening. Total – – 4126 be done before Thursdy. next. In The Ridders have got about – Thursday 16th. May 1816 – the mean time the rubbish from 20 yards into the Stable drift – to The Shifters were stopped this mg. the engine level drift must be the first trouble – the drift is there in the middle Pit for want of stow- stowed if possible Fallen quite close, and the water age – ‘till the travelling Engine is – Wednesday 15th. May 1816 – is coming downwards thro’ the repaired. Patterson & Prs. Have finished the en: Frames of Stones – further progress Started the N. Headways in level drift thro’ the trouble and will be exceedingly difficult. the old waste this mg. named this find the Arch good beyond it, and Ordered the ridding to be sus- & Headway, Restoration as the Air passes thro’ there is pended ‘till I can consider what The Foundation of the Machine little doubt of the drift being open may be best to be Done.

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39. 40. 41. from Benton is cut out at the in small cast iron pipes from the – Wed. 22d. May 1816 – middle Pit, and ready for the masons low Set Cistern to the Stables in Got the new Crank put to the travel- to start in the morng. the old Pit, to carry fresh water ling Engine, and started again this Determined to make a water to the horses. These were the Pipes mg. to draw rubbish at the middle Course from the boreholes into the formerly used for taking the water Pit. Before the ridding out of the waste in the Far Pit, by running to the Boiler which supplied the Engine level drift can be resumed a jenkin along – 2 Pill. East of the travelling Engine. the Coal Jenkin must be driven up rolly way. The object of this – Friday 17th. May 1816 – <is still> to the 2d. Staple. water course is to keep the water The cleaning of the Engine level was^ – Saturday 25th. May 1816 – off the rolly way, when the Plugs <but the En. Bank [ ]> As Heaton measure is proved to are drawn again, which must be Stopped in the middle Pit ^ this Mg. [ ] be worse than any of the other as soon as the water level drift and we expect to get ready for a best Collieries, fixed with Mr. Potts from the middle Pit Sump is start again in two or three days. to put ledges upon the Waggons Finished. This operation will en- The Masons are in great for- by nailing an Inch Deal upon the able the Pit to work a great wardness with the Foundation of fore and Side overings – tapering many more Coals. A sufficient the Benton Machine. them off at the hind end. By quantity of rolly way plates must – Monday 20th. May 1816 – this Small addition it is to be be got for this purpose. Begun to Set up the Framing expected that the measure will The Engine wrights are putting of the Benton Mache. at the mid- give content. dle Pit [Bud-44-3]

42. 43. 44. – Tuesday 28th. May 1816 – Coal bleeds so much that the bore cistern to the Stables Through the workings of the old holes supply themselves. Getting very well forward in putting Pit – the first Goaf in the So. W. It is difficult to account from up the Benton Engine at the midd. way has fallen in as favourable a whence this bleeding proceeds, as Pit. manner as could be wished for from every circumstance from which – Wed. 29th. May 1816 – No water has come off, and the we can judge, there cannot be any No. 11. adjoining walls are completely re- waste before us – I should sup- Old Pit Gibson – – 262xx. – £164.. 6..7 lieved from pressure pose that it must come from some Do. – Dotchen – 300 – 144.. 9..5 This fall has not shewn Gullet, or Thread in the Post, at Far do. Robson 120 – 70.. 9..3 itself at the Surface; but when any rate however the boring must 682 £379..11..3 the Thrust comes more extended be carefully attended to. Vend Heaton – – – – 968 there is no doubt but the Surface Are getting on very well W. Heaton – – 115 1083

will be effected, as there is not with the Jenkin to the 2d. Staple in Formerly – – – 4126 more than 45 Faths. of cover upon the middle Pit. Total – – 5209 the Seam. Have begun the water Course The proper Size of Flat Ropes The West boring Board in Jenkins in the Far Pit for the middle Pit – to draw a the old waste has turned very wet The Engine wrights are in great Single 20 Peck Corf is 0.82 In. thick there is a few Inches of ramble Forwardness with the fresh water and 3.5 In. broad. upon the Coal head from which pipes in the old Pit, for taking a To make the best Counterbalance the water issues, besides which the supply of water from the low Set [Bud-44-3]

45. 46. 47. the rope wheel should only be 36 approaching the upstanding Boards be- The working barrell of the high Set In. diam: for the first lap; but this yond the Stowed barrier to the North being much worn, and many of the would require 30.42 Strokes of the from which a great deal of Foulness pumps being also nearly worn thro’ Engine. is discharging; but by using Sr. H. by the friction of the Spears, owing The first lap 48 In. Diam: will require Davy’s Lamps little inconvenience is to their being so much out of Centre 27 Strokes felt from it. I determined to order a new workg. – – – – – – 54 In. Diam: will require Have not yet reached the 2d. Stap. barrel, and to put in a new bunton 22.5 Strokes. to the W. of the middle Pit; but the and Cistern, in order to get the pumps – Tuesday 11th. June 1816 – Coal Jenkin is within a few yards put into Centre. Examined the workings in the Far of it. – Wed: 12th. June 1816 – Pit – the E. Jenkin for driving the All matters going on very well No. 12. N. watercourse out of are in progress in the old Pit – the bleeding in Old Pit Gibson – – 272 – £177..19..10 – 2 are nearly at their length – 1½ Pill. the boring board in the old waste has Do. – Dodgson – 269 – 136.. 9.. 6 in the 9th. & 13th. North Walls. In ceased – it seems only to have come Far – Robson 150 – 83..16..10 this part the walls are very much from the metal Stone in the roof 691 £398.. 6.. 2 crushed, owing to the blue Stone cover the Post is now on the Coal head Vend Heaton – – – – 999 but further N. where the Post puts and is quite dry. W. Heaton – – 78 1077 in they are very much better The N. Headway in the old Formerly – – – 5,209 The N. heads. Jenkins are waste is holed into the W. narrow Total – – 6,286 board from the new workings. [Bud-44-3]

48. 49. 50. – Thursday 13th. June 1816 – – Wed: 26th. June 1816 – – Thursday 4th. July 1816 – Holed the Jenkin in the middle No. 13. Holed with the rods into a waste Pit into the 2d. Staple wall. Old Pit Gibson – – 288xx. – £185..18..5½ in the W. exploring Boards – in the – Saturday 15th. June 1816 – Do. – Dodgson – 300 – 144..13..0 old workings in front of Heaton Hall

Got the top of the 2d. Staple cleaned Far – Robson 156 – 98..15..7½ The Men were able to hold the plug and begun to drive levels from it thro’ 744 £429.. 7.. 1 2 in the hole with one hand & the water the trouble, to let off the water from Vend Heaton – – – – 1050 only flew about 2 yards from the hole the North W. Heaton – – 125 1175 From this I am willing to believe – Tuesday 18th. June 1816 – Formerly – – – 6286 that it is only a detached part of Put boxes into the 2d. Staple to carry Total – – 7461 the same waste into which this holing is the feeder of water down – while the Are getting but very indifferently for- made men are working in the drift. ward with the En. Level drift in – Sa: 6th. July 1816 – – Satdy. 22d. June 1816 – the D Pit – it is close Crept and Ordered the plug to be drawn out of Got very slowly forward in the D Pit Fallen & is very bad to rid on acct. the above hole to try if the water Engine level drift, on acct. of the water of the run of water would shew any appearance of run- being so troublesome. The drift is Had a very heavy Fall in the ning itself off. close fallen at about 5 yards W. of So. W. way (old Pit) this morng. both – Tuesday 9th. July 1816 – the Staple the new & old Goaves Fell Examined the old Pit workigs Getting very well forward – the Water has run off at the in all other matters. Bore hole in the W. exploring drift [Bud-44-3]

51. 52. 53. old waste, which nearly proves that Feeders is now coming thro’ the – Tuesday 16th. July 1816 – it must merely be a part of the rubbish in the drift, and the water Holed with the Picks into the same waste into which we have has Fallen from the top of the 2d. old waste – from the W. exploring Drift holed. I therefore ordered the back Stap. to the 1st. Pump. old workings. It is evidently a or So. Board to be holed with the – Wed: 10th. July 1816 – part of the same waste – the works Picks. No. 14. xx. go away to the N. & W. but they All things in good order in Old Pit Gibson – – 267 – £175.. 4..1½ are too much Fallen to allow of the workings of both Pits. Do. – Dodgson – 265 – 145.. 0..9¾ being examined. The Engine Level drift middle Far – Robson 264 – 95.. 5..10 – Friday 19th. July 1816 – Pit is cleaned out for about 12 yards 11/ 11¼ P.xx. 696 £415..10..9¼ The Spears &c. of the middle Pit to the W. of the 2d. Stapple. The Vend Heaton – – – – 947 Engine being repaired, the cleaning drift continues to be crushed close W. Heaton – – 216 1163 out of the water Level Drift was together & requires to be closely tim- Formerly – – – 7461 resumed this morng. bered, which occasions the work to Total – – 8624 – Tuesday 23d. July 1816 – proceed very slowly – Sat: 13th. July 1816 – Down the old Pit – examined the It has become necessary to Got the Frame dam for the low holing into the old waste, and gave stop the Engine to examine the holing into Lawson’s main waste finished directions for future proceedings. Spears &c. this will of course and put into its’ place ready for Ordered the W. Boards in Walker lay off the men in the drift & wedging. Barrier to be stopped for the present

will keep them out all the remainder of the week. The whole of the [Bud-44-3]

54. 55. 56. to keep them in reserve for future The Metal Coal Drift from the old – Wednesday 31st. July 1816 – occasions Pit En. Sump – to the Swelly between Put the Steam to the middle Pit – Wed: 10th. July 1816 – the troubles in the W. Morthergate being Machine & run the Engine – the No. 15. Workings choaked up, the water has flowed in Pullies will be laid on tomorrow A Gibson – – – – 311 – £197..17..10 to the rolly way, in the Stone drift – Friday 2d. Augt. 1816 – Dodgson – – 291 – 151.. 8.. 5 between the Troubles & will be 18 In. deep As it will be necessary to stop the old 602 349.. 6.. 3 on the way before it runs away at it’s Engine for 3 or 4 days to put the new E Pit Geo. Robson 190 – 101.. 3.. 5 level. As it is out practicable to open working Barrel into the High Set, the 11/ 5¾ P.xx. 792 £450.. 9.. 8 out of the metal Coal Drift, the rolly W. way Water must be turned to the Vend Heaton – – – – 1093 way must be raised through the Swelly middle Pit Engine, as there is not W. Heaton – – 211 1304 so as to keep it clear of the water Standage in the old Pit for it and Formerly – – – 8624 And the water course in future will consequently the Pit cannot be kept Total – – 9928 be in levels to be cut by the side at work unless the W. way Feeders Pay £849..19..10 of the rolly way. When the Walker are sent to the middle Pit. – Friday 26th. July 1816 – Barrier Boards are Further advanced The Wastemen endeavoured to The water level Drift in the midd. the Water may be turned off the Rolly conduct the water along its former Pit is now going something better way into one of them course to the middle Pit this mormg. Forward – let it to Geo. Boggan & but could not get it Further than Prs. @ 11/- P. yard. the opencast where it was Stopped by [Bud-44-3]

57. 58. 59. the crushed and Fallen State of the the middle Pit En. Level. All matters Depth of Sundry old Pits – viz. Cut. going on well in the Far Pit – begun In Byker Colliery Fath. feet In. – Tuesday 6th. Augt. 1816 – to draw the rubbish at the middle Pit Thomas – – – – – – 45 .. 5 .. 3 Down the old Pit – the feeder of water with the Benton Machine. Matthew – – – – – 45 which came off in one of the So. W. Goaf – Wednesday 7th. Augt. 1816 – Jane – – – – – – – 48 a fortnight ago continues just the same No. 16. Workings viz. it seems to discharge just as much A Gibson – – – – 254 – £178..13..2½ Heaton old Colliery Fa. water as the feeder from the Lawson- Dodgson – – 267 – 142..16.. 2 So. Engine Pit – – – – 47 [q 7] – 45 main old waste; for although the latter 521 321.. 9..4½ Knab – – – – – – – – 45 has been plugged of at the low dam E Pit Geo. Robson 139 – 98..17.. 6 Chance – – – – – – – 56 feet In. for a week, the Engine has just about 660 £450.. 6..10½ Thistle – – – – – – – – 75 .. 4 .. 0

the same quantity of water. This being the Vend Heaton – – – 1016 Venture – – – – – – – 75 .. 2 .. 0 case, every excertion must be made W. Heaton – – 57 1073 Bank – – – – – – – – 63 to get the water course down the open- Formerly – – – 9928 Dyke – – – – – – – – 60 cast opened out to the middle Pit. Total – – 11,001 4th. Engine – – – – – 57 .. 3 .. 0 before the new working Barrel is putg. Plane – – – – – – – – 60 into the high Set of the old Engine Corn – – – – – – – – 55 Getting very well forward with Wheat – – – – – – – – 56 Whin – – – – – – – – 40 Broom – – – – – – – – 45 Meadow – – – – – – – 40 Gosforth Engine Pit 35 Faths. from Soil. [Bud-44-3]

60. 61. 62. – Wed: 21st. Augt. 1816 – drawing Props, in a Goaf. Heny. – Satd: 31st. Augt. 1816 – No. 17. Corby Wm. Patterson & Tim had nearly got The old Pit Engine started again this A Gibson – – – – 297 – £180..13..2 all the timber out of the Goaf, when morng. After putting the new working Dodgson – – 292 – 147.. 4..6 the Stones began to work, and set them barrel into the high-Set. The Water 589 327..17..8 out; but soon becoming quiet again in the Standage had risen to the Robson – – – 118 – 87.. 0.. 5 they were going in to take out the re- level of the Rolly way plate at the 707 £414..18..1 mainder of the Timber, when the Goaf Shaft. Vend Heaton – – – 940 Fell without the least warning & covered – Tuesday 3d. Sep: 1816 – W. Heaton – – 94 1034 Dodgson & Corby; but striking Patterson Down the middle Pit – the Engine Formerly – – – 11,001 on the forehead knocked him out of Level Drift being finished to the Swelly Total – – 12035 the way. Corby extracted himself – the all the Water is run out of it, and Are getting very well forward in clean- Stone having fallen hollow above him – a faint current of Air is passing ing out the water level Drift to the being propped up by some small Coals round by the So. Jenkins. The Shifters middle Pit Engine – it is now finished but Dotchen was killed on the Spot are employed in endeavouring to open to the opencast, where the Brick Arch Begun at 6 o ‘ Clock this morning out the Air course by these Jenkins is found to be standing good. All to draw the high Set of Pumps at the preparatory to commencing the open- other matters going on very well. old Pit to put in the new working ing out of the water-course through Tim. Dodgson Overman Killed Barrel. the roll bank to the Westward. about 10 o ‘ Clock this Evening when Got a passage effected down Upon the whole the water Course thro’ the open cast – to take the W. way the Swelly and to the Westward is water to the middle Pit Engine. [Bud-44-3]

63. 64. 65. in as good, or indeed a better Situatn. to decide upon some plan, to obtain Pillars, in the Situation above described than might have been expected. It a further supply of Coal to keep up the from extending to the So. East, and is washed into holes in many places workings in Gibson’s Shift to protect the Air Course to the moor and heaps of rubbish are left in As the field of whole Coal between Pit. I cannot decide upon the pre- others, and to the W. of the So. jenkn. the troubles to the North is very narrow cise situation &c. of this Barrier un- and the water is roofed; but there is & of uncertain extent to the Westward till the extent of the unexplored Stook plenty of level at hand to loose it it becomes necessary to commence the of Coal, between the moor Pit and the From the weakness of the Air working of the Pillars – between the present workings is more clearly as- course, the Styth will not allow the Westmost cross Barrier & the old waste certained, by pushing a W. Board into Davys to burn; but the Steel mills As some danger may however be in- the heart of it – this must be play very well. curred by bringing a second Creep on done without delay. The Falling of the Goaves in the Ancient workings; which might pos- Both of the Frame Dams are now the So. W. way, seems to have lowered sibly extend to the So. East a risk the Finished next Lawson’s-main waste & the Surface of the ground in the shaking or breaking of the Barrier the water has risen up to the second. front of Heaton Hall a little. against Lawson’s-main waste; this The Dams are tight but there is – Tuesday 10th. Sep. 1816 – event should not be risked. A bar- considerable leakage from the threads Examined the Old Pits workings – rier must therefore be Stowed in an in the Post roof near to the low dam the whole Coal in the W. way, next E. & W. direction to prevent the pressure and it is probable that the leakage the old waste is working off very of the Thrust – induced by working the will increase as the water rises; but fast – it therefore becomes necessary [Bud-44-3]

66. 67. 68. still the intention of the Dams will whether it would be worth whole to – Tuesday 17th. Sep: 1816 – be attained if the leakage thro’ the Scaffold them. One of them is filled Getting but indifferently forward with post is not equal to the Feeder, as within 25 Fa. the other within 15 of the the opening out of the W. jenkins – for the sole object is to lay pressure a- Surface & as it would be a very dan- the middle Pit Air Course – they are gainst Lawson’s-main Barrier. gerous job to Scaffold them – I de- very much fallen in many places & The Feeder of water from the W. cided to fill them up which will be no Stowage. Goaves continues but does not increase both most effectual & cheapest – parti- – Wed: 18th. Sep. 1816 – – it follows down to the East as the cularly if we can be permitted to take No. 19. juds are wrot. off. the rubbish about the tops of the old Pit R.Gibson – – 283 – £174.. 8.. 2 Are getting very well forward Pits. H. Corby – – 295 – 153..19..11 in ridding out the W. jenkins in the – Wed: 4th. Sep. 1816 – 578 328.. 8.. 1 middle Pit – to restore the Air Course No. 18. Far Pit Geo. Robson – 119 – 101.. 0.. 6

round by the Swelly &c. when this A Pit R.Gibson – – 259 – £174.. 6..6 697 £429.. 8.. 7 is completed I expect we may be able H. Corby – – 258 – 137.. 8..2 Vend Heaton – – – 761 to light the Furnace. 517 311..14..8 W. Heaton – – 69 830 All matters going on very Geo. Robson – – 128 – 89..10..3 Formerly – – – 13048 well in the Far Pit. 645 £401.. 4..11 Total – – 13878 Sir M.W. Ridley having made Vend Heaton – – – 962 a point of having the old Pits Filled W. Heaton – – 51 1013 – examined the two old Engine Pits Formerly – – – 12035 Total – – 13,048 [Bud-44-3]

69. 70. 71. – Friday 20th. Sep: 1816 – for a Barrier in the old Lawson- every slowly forward with the Got travelling road completed main waist is in progress. On water course to the W. of the round by the W. Jenkins in the of them is let at 5/ 8 – the other Air jenkin in the middle Pit middle Pit. at 5/ 11½ P. yard; but these prices – Sat: 5th. Octr. 1816 – – Friday 27th. Sep: 1816 – seem to be less than the Men can Unplugged the bore-holes into Heaton Drew the Plugs in the Far Pit, & do the work for – to make fair Waste, in the Far Pit – they do not let off the water from Heaton old wages. run with great force. Waste – the Water course Jenks As much inconvenience – Sat: 12th. Octr. 1816 – being Finished. is experienced in sending the The Water run off at the holes into – Sat: 28th. Sep: 1816 – rollies to bank to repair. – I Heaton old waste – Far Pit. Plugged the holes in the Far Pit Fixed to send Richd. Thompson The N. Jenkins must be pushed this morng. again, as the water down the Pit to repair them – as hard as possible towards Benton gets too deep on the Rolly way to keep his tools there & at- waste – to ascertain whether the water near the Shaft – Levels must tend daily to keep them in re- is run out of it or not be driven by the side of the pair. He must have a cab- Within the last 3 or 4 days way to keep it dry. bin made at the top of the 1st. the Shifters have gotten very well forwd. – Wednesday 2d. Octr. 1816 – Incline. Many advantages – in the middle Pit – they have reached Through the workings of the old will attend this plan I expect the water course drift thro’ the Dyke. Pit – all matters going on very The Shifters are getting but It is very much fallen & closed; but well – the Stowing of the 2 Bds. [Bud-44-3]

72. 73. 74. they have tapped the water by boring old workings, the Boards are upstandg. be made for lighting the middle Pit but on proceeding W. we find them very Furnace [Diagram of Little Drift] close fallen – very little crept – these Getting very well forward in Far Pit

workings seem to have been closed by – Wed: 2d. Octr. 1816 – It is fortunate that Air is so good a Thrust rather than a Creep. We found No. 20. Workings &c. at the little drift a as to allow the a W. board which seems to have been Old Pit R.Gibson – – 295 – £185.. 9..7 Davy’s to burn altho’ it is 180 yards ridded for a Pillar to a pair of N. H. Corby – – 306 – 150..17..8 beyond the So. jenkin end, which is as winng. Heads. – as if ridded thro’ the 601 344.. 7..3 Far as the Air circulates Thrust in search of whole Coal. E Pit G. Robson – – 95 – 89..15..3 Holed into the old Waste in The Sides of this Board is pillared 696 £434.. 2..6 the old Pit W. way again, in the 1st. up and Punch Props set to support the Vend Heaton – – – 617 Bd. So. from the two W. exploring Drifts roof. Ordered the Wastemen to ex- W. Heaton – – 37 654 where the stowing is – holed at 36 yards plore this waste to see if they can Formerly – – – 13878 – Tuesday 15th. Octr. 1816 – make any further discoveries in it. Total – – 14,532 Down the old Pit. travelled into The Shifters in the middle Pit Amount of Bill Book £1247..8..11 the old waste from the holing made still continue to make progress in the on the 12th. Inst. got about 3 Pill: water course thro’ the W. Dyke in West where the old workings are quite consequence of which the standing water close. Next the East Face of these in the open cast way has lowered 3 feet perp: water. Ordered preparations to [Bud-44-3]

[Diagram of Little Drift]

75. 76. 77. – Wednesday 16th. Octr. 1816 – – Tuesday 29th. Octr. 1816 – to the great quantity of rubbish No. 21. xx. Examined the state of the Far Pit. which has been washed into the Bd. Old Pit Gibson – – 252 – £163..16..3 – the N. Jenkins are now thro’ the rushed out upon them – I expect Corby – – 272 – 144..14..8 stowed Barrier – found the workings they will get into the Board in a 524 308..10..11 in a tolerable upstanding state beyond few Shifts. E Pit G. Robson – 161 – 98.. 9..11 the barrier and cleaning very rapidly – Wednesdy. 30: Octr. 1816 – 685 £407.. 0..10 – got 4 or 5 winns. In beyond the No. 22. xx. Vend Heaton – – – 1304 stowing, which is about 5 or 6 winn Old Pit Gibson – – 230 – £159..13.. 4 W. Heaton – – 78 1382 from the Far Side – the Foulness Corby – – 259 – 142..12.. 3 Formerly – – – 14532 find in the Davy’s here. 489 302.. 5.. 7 Total – – 15,914 Ordered the Wastemen to go to- D Pit Shifters – – 13 Amount of Bill Book £1453..15..6 morrow to endeavour to reach the Far E do. Robson – – 154 – 97.. 5..11 – Wednesday 23d. Octr. 1816 – side – when this is accomplished, the 656 £399..11.. 6 Lighted the middle furnace this plugs must be immediately drawn out Vend Heaton – – – 1071 Evening without difficulty Westmt. W. Heaton – – 60 1131 – Thursday 24th. Octr. 1816 – of the ^ Bore-hole into old Benton waste Formerly – – – 15914 The Air course is much improved by and suffered to run until the state Total – – 17,045 the furnace in the middle Pit, and of the water in that waste is as- Pay Bill – – £1803..14..4 the water fall being taken off, the certained. I expect the Wastemen will foreside Shaft is quite dry. get to this Plug in a day or two The Shifters have not yet got the water course drift a, page 72. ridded thro’ into the Board, owing [Bud-44-3]

78. 79. 80. – Sa: 2: Nov. 1816 – the Davy’s burn perfectly well at individual Pillar seems Sufficiently The Shifters having got thro’ the the holes, altho’ the people can only Strong to resist the pressure of the water course Drift at the Trouble in remain a very few seconds beside them incumbent Strata, when any adjoin- the middle Pit W. way – sent them – Tuesday 12: Nov: 1816 – ing wall is wrot. off which occasiond. to assist the Wastemen in ridding out Through the workings of the old the Goaf to thrust without producing the Stowing – to get to the Plug Pit. – the workings of the pillars any symptoms of Creep – of course in the Benton Barrier. in Corby’s way is going on as well every course, or range of walls for – Tuesday 5th. Nov: 1816 – as can be wished for; but as the a new Barrier when ever the adjoing. The Plug was drawn in the Westmt. district will be finished in 6 or 8 course may be wrought off. drift in the Benton Barrier Far Pit – this weeks, some other place must be The Stowing of the Barrier in

Evening – the Water rushed out with fixed upon to replace it. the old waste (Restoration) is nearly considerable Force – bored another hole On considering all circumstances Finished, and the working of the The Water is very Stithy. I think the N. Barrier of this dis- Pillars in that district has com[mon] – Sa: 9: Nov. 1816 – trict ought next to be wrought – it The driving of the Jenkin &c. The Water from the above holes can be made ready without experience in the middle Pit are suspended seems to be abating a little; but and from the experience we have all the Shifters being sent to the it is difficult to approach the holes had it does not appear that any Far Pit to get the ventilation of on account of the great quantity of Creep will take place where the 12 the workings between the stowed Barrier Styth which discharges with the water yard walls have been left – each and Benton Barrier restored. It is somewhat singular that the [Bud-44-3]

81. 82. 83. – Wednesday 13 Nov. 1816 – First of all holed in the Far Pit to lay the new Branch of way Workings &c. this Pay – viz. N.W. Barrier in the year 1807. for working the Barrier, in Corby’s Old Pit Gibson – – 263 – £171.. 2..6 The Water came off very feebly – just Shift. Corby – – 254 – 144.. 5..1 running over the edge of the Hole. – Wednesday 27: Nov. 1816 – No. 23. 517 317.. 7..7 This being the case a holing may No. 24. Robson – 140 – 108.. 1..0 be made with Picks as soon as Old Pit Gibson – – 242 – £168..10..10 657 £425.. 8..7 convenient. Corby – – 248 – 139..11.. 0 Vend Heaton – – – 1206 – Monday 25: Nov. 1816 – 490 308.. 1..10 W. Heaton – – 16 1222 As the two bore-holes into Ben- Robson – 147 – 106..19.. 0 Formerly – – – 17045 ton old Waste appear to be merely 637 £413.. 0..10 Total – – 18,267 discharging the Feeder, I ordered a Vend Heaton – – – 1023 Amot Pay Bill £968..15..9½ 3½ In. hole to be bored near the W. Heaton – – 10 1033 The Water from the old Benton bottom of the Seam – the water Formerly – – – 18,267 Waste still seems to abate a did not come out of this hole with P. Bill £1469..3..10 Total – – 19300 little at the bore holes through any great force; but a considerable – Friday 29: Nov. 1816 – the North Barrier quantity of inflammable Air dis- The Water has not taken off at – Tuesday 19th: Nov. 1816 – charges with the water from the the upper holes into Benton old Holed with the Rods into Heaton small holes – it Fires in the waste, notwithstanding the 3½ In. old Waste, in the So. Narrow Davys & seems to be very pure hole runs freely – we must wait Board – narrow to that which was Ordered Rolly way Plates to be the event of 2 or 3 days & then got from the Tyne Iron works determine what is to be done Ordered Heaton waste to be [Bud-44-3]

84. 85. 86. holed into with the Picks without Ulto: the Air rushed into the the large hole delay as nothing but the Feeder is old waste with great force for Set the Shifters to work to now discharging at the Holes about 15 minutes – so as to alarm bore at the 2d. Pit – Longbenton A considerable quantity of the men; but after that the to endeavour to find the Shaft Foulness is discharging from this waste Styth came out with great force and to ascertain whether she is at the So. Hole – the return of the And when the 2d. holing was Filled up or Scaffolded Air must therefore be carefully atten- made the same thing took place – Friday 6th. Dec. 1816 – ded to when the holing is made but the Fresh Air rushed in for Have bored 13 Faths. through with the Picks. a much shorter time rubbish of all sorts at the 2d. Pit – FridaySatdy. 30 Nov. 1816 – On trying to force the Air from which it is to be concluded Holed into Heaton old Waste through the old Waste from the that the Shaft is filled up – the with the Picks at the So. hole – N. to the So. hole it could not be best mode of proceeding in this so much Foulness came off that made to pass, from which it is case to open out the Shaft must the state of the Waste could not to be presumed that the old therefore be considered be seen. waste is close crept Ordered another Drift to be – Tuesday 3d. Dec. 1816 – I determined to open out the set away on the E. Side of the Holed into the Heaton Waste with Far N.W. hole to endeavour to Westermost Drift which holed into the Picks at Mr. Watsons hole – force the Air from Mr. Watsons Benton – for the purpose of ven- nothing could be seen for the hole to it through the old waste tilating the Waste. great quantity of Styth which The uppermost hole into – Wed: 11: Dec. 1816 – came out Benton old Waste is run off Holed with the Picks into Heatn. When the First holing was consequently nothing more than old waste at the N.W. drift made with the Picks on the 30th. the Feeder is now discharging at [Bud-44-3]

87. 88. 89. but could not get any Air to – Wednesday 18th. Dec. 1816 – high with an excellent Post Roof pass – I therefore determined to Viewed the high Pit. Neither the Height must be made in the double Mr. Watsons Drift, by doing Air Drift into Heaton, nor that into rolly way – by taking up the bottom another on the So. Side of it Benton Wastes are yet holed – the so as to admit large horses to tra- – Wed. 11: Dec. 1816 – former has 15 the latter 30 yards to vel – this will enable us by & by No. 25. go. An astonishing quantity of to send a Shift of Horses from Old Pit Gibson – – 276 – £173..18.. 7 Styth discharges out of both Wastes the old Pit; when each Pit is set Corby – – 221 – 148..12.. 0 either of them discharges enough on Single Shift. 497 322..10.. 7 when the holes are open to over- Started the W. rolly way Far Pit – – 166 – 108..13.. 3 load the Air Course – it is there- Jenkins again in the middle Pit 663 £431.. 3..10 fore necessary to keep them shut yesterday – they are about 2 Pills.

Vend Heaton – – – 983 off. When the Air Drifts are ho- up. W. Heaton – – 14 997 led, so as to allow of the Styth All things going on very Formerly – – – 19300 being regularly mixed with the Air well in the old Pit – Corby has Total – – 20,297 Course, I hope we may be able to begun to work the W. end of Castle- Amount of Pay Bill £1856..13..1 clean the old Wastes – one after the reah Barrier. The working of other; but Benton Waste will be the Restoration Juds is going on best cleaned by opening out one favourably – the Goaves Fall very of the old Pits freely. The Coal is exceedingly good On Tuesday last the 11th. Inst. in the Barrier and favourable for the rollies on the first Plane old working – the Seam is nearly 7 feets Pit caught Auth Wilson – Rolly way Keeper, and crushed him so [Bud-44-3]

90. 92. 93. everly that he died on the 14th. – Wednesday 1st. Jany. 1817 – observed that the Foulness had Fired – Wed: 25th. Dec: 1816 – Holed the Eastmt. of the N. Drifts in the return & was playing back- This being Xmas day the Pits lay into old Benton Waste this morng. wards and Forwards in the dumb idle Resolved to work to the The Foulness backed out so strongly the[re] Furnace Drift. The Wastemen were 31st. Inst. and then to lay off the the hole could only be made about a inby at the time; but conceiving Pits for repairs. foot square ‘till the Men were oblg. the danger to be imminent Smith Dec: 31: 1816 to Fly. The Foulness backed against called the Furnacekeeper and rode No. 25. the Air for upwards of 60 yards – to bank immediately – in passing Old Pit Gibson – – 368 – £252.. 4..4 – this was about 10 o ‘ Clock in the the mouth of the dumb Furnace Corby – – 358 – 215..19..8 morning. Drift they were scorched a little Robson – 235 – 152..19.. 7 The return Air was entirely In a few minutes after they had 961 £621.. 3..7 but through the dumb Furnace to gotten to bank, a Strong concussion Vend Heaton – – – 689 keep the Foulness from the working took place, and almost immediately W. Heaton – – – 689 Furnace. All went on well ‘till about afterwards another eruption happened Formerly – – – 20,297 5 o ’ Clock P.M. when Th. Smith who which blew the Smoke up both Total – – 20,986 was sitting at the Furnace was al- sides of the Brattice – that is up Small vended this year 450 Ch. armed by a Shaking of the door both up-cast & downcast Shaft. at the Shaft. He immediately ran All then remained quiet & after [Page 91 is Blank] to the main Door near the Stables waiting a while Smith went down and found it shaking so violently as again to put out the Furnace if it would break the Sneck. He and look for the Wastemen then returned to the Shaft, and In a short time the Wastemen [Bud-44-3]

94. 95. 96. arrived not having sustained the completely laid dead. The Foulness Wall of the Furnace least injury. After having ex- had so completely Filled the return I durst not venture to take out tinguished the Furnace, they discovered as to Fire at the Davys – immedi- the Stopping which the watchmen had that the Coal was on Fire both be- ately on going beyond the range of put into the dumb Furnace drift, lest hind the East Wall of the Furnace the Air. it should draw the Foulness which and in the dumb Furnace Drift An extinguishing Engine surrounded us upon the Flame. I This was exceedingly alarming, and was gotten down the Pit, a little was therefore obliged to take the En. they immediately Sent away for the before 8 o ‘ Clock – in the mean time Pipes into the mouth of the drift extinguishing Engines, and put up the Overmen, Wastemen &c. had done – in the Face of the Fire – my great close Stoppings in the dumb Furnace all they could to extinguish the anxiety being to extinguish the Flame Drift beyond the Fire, and also Fire by throwing water upon it; but as soon as possible. This we behind the Furnace – to cut off their exertions in this way were of fortunately accomplished in a short the access of Air from the Fire as little avail. time, altho’ we had but a very much as possible On going down I found short supply of water from the All the main doors round the Coal Fire to be more formidable Horse Cistern. In the mean the Shaft had been broken down than I expected, not so much from time the Furnace wall had been by the shock of the Fire and the it’s size, as from the difficulty of perforated to allow the Engine to Air was merely coming round from approaching it. play freely on the Fire behind the the downcast Shaft – by the Stables One body of Fire was blazing wall. to the upcast side – Consequently about 15 yards down the dumb Fur- The Engine was then brot. the whole of the workings were nace Drift; and the Coal was also extensively on Fire behind the East [Bud-44-3]

97. 98. 100. to act on this point with great The occasion of this Fire is very – Thursday 2d. Jany. 1817 – effect; but the supply of water was misterious – it is certain that it did The people were employed all last inadequate. While we were occu- not take place at the Furnace, as night & this day in ridding out the pied with this, the Fire in the Th. Smith was watching the Firemen Cinders and rubbish from behind the other drift kindled up again. I at the time. It appears to me Furnace wall &c. there is no Fire then clearly saw that unless we most likely that the Coal behind the but the heat is very great. could obtain a larger supply of Furnace East Wall must have been on Got the four main Doors near water, we should not be able to Fire before the Foulness was let off the Shaft re-instated, and the Engine succeed Many expedients were from the waste, as no communicatn. set on for the water Fall, but the suggested for this purpose, and at between the Furnace Drift and the quantity of water is very inadequate least it was agreed to break thro’ dumb Furnace Drift could be discoud. – we must however do the best we

the main Brattice and to land the After the Fire was extinguished can with it. An immense quantity water by Buckets out of the Engine I set the men to work to clear of Styth continues to be discharged Sump. This was done, and an out the space between the East wall from the waste. ample supply of water being pro- of the Furnace and the Coal wall One of the old Engine Pits of cured, we got the Fire completely – to make it large enough for Benton Colliery was found by boring extinguished about half past 10 o ‘ a man to travel through on Sa. Last the 28th. Inst. but it Clock P.M. is filled up – not Scaffolded as On this occasion all the men [Page 99 – Diagram of Furnace East wall] reported. It would therefore seem behaved with the greatest steadiness that there is nothing else left for us but to rid out the 3d. Pit. [Bud-44-3]

[Diagram of Furnace East wall]

101. 102. 103. – Friday 3d. Jany. 1817 – from the rotting of the Nails – be- is perfectly upstanding; but very Got the Air in the Far Pit put gun to repair them, to run the Foul beyond the Air. The return round by the Face of the works Air over to the North. does not however Fire in the Davys again, and found them to clean – Monday 7th. Jany. 1817 – but I don’t think it prudent to much quicker than expected – got Found the old waste cleaning very light the Furnace ‘till we see a to the holing into the Benton Waste Fast and got 25 Winnings over to little further. from which the Foulness was not the North. The old workings are – Tuesday 14th. Jany. 1817 – coming off with great force. quite upstanding – scarcely a Fall Examined the workings of the – Satdy. 4th. Jany. 1817 – to be seen, and no appearance Far Pit, and as far into Long Opened out both the Drifts into whatsoever of the Creep. Benton old workings as I could Benton Waste, and Forced the Air – Sa. 11: Jany. 1817 – travel round – it found a free passage The Wastemen have been constantly The wind blew very strong the old workings being quite up- employed since Tuesday in putting from the N.W. and set the standing – got 4 winns. North up Stoppings & running the Air Foulness in the old waste much into the old works. over to the Northd. in the old afloat, I was only able to get – Monday 6th. Jany. 1817 – works. of Long Benton. They have 25 Winnings, which is 8 short of Found a Winng. Heads. in the gotten 33 Winns. to the North & where the wastemen got to last old waste with Deal Stoppings gained access to the Bottom of the Saturday – I could not gain in the Stentings – quite fresh & 3d. Pit. the Shaft seems to be the bottom of the 3d. Pit. uninjured except the top deals of open at the bottom. The waste The Foulness Fired in the Davys some of them having fallen down 50 yards short of where it became [Bud-44-3]

104. 105. 106. so strong as to put them out dried upon them. The Thill is and steady. I cannot however As far as I travelled the waste covered with about an Inch in decide as to the propriety of light- is quite open & upstanding with thickness of the same kind of ing the Furnace until we ex- a fine Post roof in most places Slime. perience a change of weather, but where ever there is any The Stentings in the So. as the Barometer has stood very Ramble, or a metal Stone roof, winng. Headways from the 3d. Pit high ever since the waste was a Strong binding of Coal is loss are holed at every winning and opened out. The winnings are pretty re- are as wide as the Boards. The waste would be very gular – ten yards 4 Boards & The deal Stoppings are all standg. easily ventilated if the 3d. Pit 6 Wall, the Walls holed at 20, in them – made of Inch or 1½ In. Shaft was opened out; it is or 22 yards; but they are full deals – jointed. The Sledge marks therefore desirable to have this 3 yards wide my be distinctly seen on the done as soon as possible; and

The Seam is nearly 7 feet thill. This waste as far as as the chief difficulty lies in thick – clean Coal, and the walls has yet been seen will hardly finding the top of the Shaft are not in the slightest degree take any making ready forwor- I think the best plan will be to crushed, or Shaken – they are king the Pillars; but it will sink down a small square Pit not tinged red; but are thinly require some time to expel the – say 3 feet square within the covered with a bluish coloured Foulness, especially if we can- timber – on the bore-hole which Slime which is now completely not get the Furnace lighted, as found the Pit. – this will en- the ventilation from the water able us to find the true Centre Fall is not sufficiently powerful [Bud-44-3]

107. 108. 109. of the Shaft, after which we can be wanted for this purpose – Monday 20th. Jany. 1817 – Sink to the Stone-head with – Thursday 16th. Jany. 1817 – Begun this morng to Sink round the timber – the same diam. Begun to open the 3d. Pit down to the top of the 3d. Pit as the old Shaft. The square with the square Timber this Shaft at the Stonehead Staple may be Sunk with a morng. – Saturday 25th. Jany. 1817 – Jack-roll. – Friday 16th. Jany. 1817 – Got the Stone head in the above All matters going on well Found the Stone-head at the Pit, and secured the top of the in the workings; but as there is 3d. Pit this Eveng. – it is only Shaft through the Clay. Found the no prospect of any trade for some 2 fathoms from the Surface. Shaft filled up with Clay, which time, I ordered the men to be The Small Square Pit has gone was sunk into 9 feet below the reduced to 3/- a day for the down on the N.E. side of the Stone-head in the old Shaft; but present. old Shaft which seems to be a small feeder of water which had The Water at the middle about 7 feet diam. been tubbed off formerly, prevented Pit still continues to injure the ridding out of the Pit any the Boilers as much as ever, I [Diagram of Square Pit] further. It was therefore resolved therefore think it will be very to bore down – in the same hole well worth while, to take the This enabled us to find the which we bored from the Surface water from the Far Pit to feed Centre of the Shaft, and I to find the Shaft in the first inst- the Boilers with. Ordered Jas. fixed to cast it out the full ance – to endeavour to get quite Smith to make a levelling to size and put in round Timber of the Water see what length of Troughs may [Bud-44-3]

[Diagram of Square Pit]

110. 111. 112. – Wednesday 22d. Jany. 1817 – – Friday 31st. Jany. 1817 – sufficient quantity of Coals at this No. 1. Have met with a Stone drift run- Pit. A Pit Gibson – – 173 – £138..13..11 ning to the South in the 3d. Pit – The middle Pit W. jenkins are Corby – – 202 – 140..13.. – about feet below the Stone-head – it now ridded out 4 Pillars, and as E d. Robson – 76 – 66..15.. 3 is 3 feet high and 4 wide. It may the Stowage is nearly filled, it will 451 £346.. 2..2 probably have been a tube drift. be best to lay the rolly way from Vend Heaton – – – 341 This drift is full of water, which the Shaft, and to send the loose W. Heaton – – is very troublesome to draw with the Coals and rubbish to bank. 341 Jack roll, and as the travelling En. – Wed: 19 : Feb: 1817 – 5th. Feb. will be ready for drawing the rubbish No. 3. – Wednesday 29th. Jany. 1817 – out of the Pit in 8 or ten days I A Pit Gibson – – 261 – £168..17.. 6 A Pit Gibson – – 292 – £182.. 9.. 7 think it best to suspend the ridding Robson – – 285 – 174..10..11 Corby – – 268 – 158..14.. 4 out of the Pit until the Engine is 546 £343.. 8.. 5 E d. Robson – – ready when it may be done much Vend Heaton – – – 785 560 £341.. 3..11 cheaper. I therefore set the Sinkers W. Do. – – – – 785 Vend Heaton – – – 664 to work to dig a pond to collect Formerly – – – 1005 W. Do. – – – – 664 water for the engine – to make the Total 1790 Formerly – – – 341 top of the Pit ready for the pully Total 1005 Frame &c. Drew the Plug out of the Bore-hole I expect the travelling Engine in the East Cross-cut – Far Pit, to let will be powerful enough to draw a [Bud-44-3]

113. 114. 115. the water out of the Benton old waste The N. W. workings between the Troubles – Wed: 5 : Mar: 1817 – further to the dip. are completely finished, being holed into Got a great deal of Foulness from – Tuesday 18 : Feb: 1817 – the old thrust to the West. behind a Tub in the Benton 3d. Pit The heightening of the rolly-way The travelling Engine is now nearly The Water from the plug holes to make room for the large horses in made complete at the 3d. Pit for drawg. into the dip part of old Benton was the Far Pit is now completed. When the rubbish out of the Shaft. drawn on the 19th. Ulto: has now got the 3d. Pit in Long Benton is opened – Friday 2 : Feb: 1817 – home to the old Engine, which is set out & made an upcast – so as to make Started to draw water at the 3d. on double Shift in consequence. the Far Pit into two downcasts, we Pit with the travelling Engine, which – Tuesday 11 : Mar: 1817 – may then set on the old Pit & Far answers exceedingly well Down the old Pit with Major Pit each Single Shift, which will be Let the ridding out of the Johnson. Through the workings and attended with a great saving Shaft to Wm. Gardiner & Prs. @ 25/- P. found every thing in very good or- Have begun to lay the rolly- Fathom. der. The Horses are worsening in way in the middle Pit – up the W. – Wed: 5 : Mar: 1817 – Condition in consequence of the great Jenkins. old Pit Gibson – – 263 – £168..12.. 1 work, and the great rise of the Through the workings of the old Robson – – 301 – 170..18..10 Rolly Road to the Barrier Workings Pit – the working of the Pillars in 564 £339..10..11 – Robson’s Shift the old waste – Venture District is Vend Heaton – – – 626 From want of Vend the going on as favourably as possible, the W. Do. – – – – 626 Heap is getting very large at the old Goaves have broke down freely at Formerly – – – 1790 Pit – as soon as the 3d. Pit is rid- the Barrier without laying the least Total 2416 ded out for an Upcast, the Far Pit pressure upon it, & all the Coal is got must be set on Coal work. Have [Bud-44-3]

116. 117. 118. gotten clear of the Foulness in the – Wednesday 19 : Mar: 1817 – Spikes being corroded, the Planks 3d. Pit so that the ridding out is going No. 5. will require new Spiking on very well – they are 29 Fath. Down A Pit Gibson – – 273 – £173.. 2.. 2 – Monday 31 Mar. 1817 – this morng. – the whole depth of Robson – – 291 – 168..17..10 Begun to repair the 3d. Pit Shaft the Shaft is 60 Fathoms. 564 £342.. 0.. 0 – Tuesday 1st. April 1817 – – Monday 17th. Mar. 1817 – Vend Heaton – – – 168 Went down the 3d. Pit with Mr. Finished the working of the Pillars Formerly – – – 2416 Johnson – travelled the Waste in the Venture district. Total 2584 as far as it was accessible viz. The ridding out of the 3d. Pit 6 winns. N. from the Shaft – it goes on very well, they are now Wm. Gardner & Prs. have 25/- P. Fort. for is quite upstanding –not a single 40 Fathoms down. In the last few ridding out the 3d. Pit Fall to be seen. The Pit may

Fathoms they have fallen in with – Thursday 27 : Mar: 1817 – be made ready at a trifling ex- a good deal of timber lying across Got an opening thro’ the 3d. pence for Coal work, the Face of the Shaft, with hollow places in Pit, which immediately took to the W. Boards being only 2½ Pill the rubbish, and the Water gets cast up very Strongly from the Shaft. freely away – Sa. 29 : Mar. 1817 – Fixed to put up a new There is a great deal of Got the 3d. Pit Shaft com- pully frame & to raise the Far Tubbing in this Shaft; but the pletely opened out – upon the Pit heap for trams Water has entirely left the Tubs whole the Shaft is in tolerable All things going on very which shews that the Stratification repair, but there is a great well in the old Pit of the Country is greatly drained. deal of tubbing in it, and the [Bud-44-3]

119. 120. yds. 121. Measurement of the intended Line From Spout to high water Mk. 57 rate it would cost £732. of Wagg: Way from the site of the – – Ditto to Walls-end Way 163 Cost of laying P. yard viz. proposed new Staith to the 3d. Pit yards Walls-end By-way – – – – – – 638 2 Stone Pedestals – – – 1 .. 0 From Low-water mark into From do. to Cox-lodge – – – – 418 8 Wooden Pins – – – – 0 .. 1½ Field – where damage Grod. 57 Branch from do. to Pit – – – – 121 Leading materials – – – 0 .. 3 commences – – – – – – – – 1397 Laying – – – – – – – – – 0 .. 6 From ditto to where it joins The Way must be doubled Winning Stones prep Walls-end W.way – – – – 163 from the Spout-head to 220 Ground Ballasting &c. 2 .. 0 Distance along W.end way 638 where it joins W.end Way 3 ..10½ From W.end Way to join Two Sidings – before it Fencing 2/ 6 P. yard £ s. d. Biggs’s-main way – – 418 joins Cox-lodge Way 50 Cast Iron – – – – – – – – – – – 549.. 0..0 Distance along B. main 1667 500 yards fencing @ 2/ 6 62..10..0 way to Cox-lodge Way 1166 But say 1700 yards Laying 1700 yards @ 3/ 10½ 204.. 7..3 Distance along C. Lodge way Supposing a Single yard Plate & Cost of Wagg: Way – – – – £815..17..3 to where the Branch will 3300 Pedestal to weigh 40 lbs. – the yard Estimate of Timber acquired for lead off to 3d. Pit – – – – – of way will weigh 80 lbs. the whole the new Staith Branch from C. Lodge Way Tons Cw. qr. lb. 3600 Ft. Sqr. Timber for Gears &c. of to Pit – – – – – – – – – – 121 weight will be 60 .. 14 .. 1 .. 4, but On-gate Spout &c. Miles yds. 5863 Say 61 Tons 744 do. – – – – – for Off-gate Equal to 3 .. 583 The Glasgow Founders will deliver 4344 feet, or – say 85 Loads Of the above the following must Rails @ £9. P. Ton – the whole cost 3840 Superf: feet of Plank for Staith be laid with cast Iron at that rate would therefore be 1430 do. – – – – – – – – – for off-gate £549. The Newcastle Foundes 5270 Super: Feet Plank would cost it @ £12. at which [Bud-44-3]

122. 123. 124. 85 Loads of Timber @ £ M. F. yds can never have a better opportunity 5270 feet of Plank @ equal to 1..6..308 for Stopping the Engine for a thorough – Friday 11: April 1817 – repair than at present The new Pully frame at the Far Pit – Thursday 17: Ap: 1817 – is completed, and the raising of the Stopped the middle Engine this Heap-stead & repair of the Skreen morng. to repair the Air Pump Buckt. April 8 : 1817. for banking out the Coals with Trams &c. Measured the distance from the A, is in great progress. – Sunday 20: Ap: 1817 – or old Pit, through Walker Estate to The Sinkers are employed in Finished the above repairs and startd Cox-lodge Waggon Way – to ascertain repairing the 3d. Pit Shaft, and the the Engine again this eveng. the distance to the intended new Staith Shifters in making a place for the – Tuesday 22d: Ap: 1817 – in case it should be thought right Lamp at the bottom of the Pit. Set up the Heap-Stead & Skreen to relinquish the present line of W. – Sa: 12 Ap: 1817 – at the middle Pit – for the use of Way to St. Anthony’s yards Made application in writing, thro’ the W. Jenkin Coals at present and From Pit to Corporation Gd. – – 88 Mr. Th. Fenwick, for way- the general workings at a future Through Corporation – – – – 1302 leave to the New Staith from Heaton and period. D. & C. to Cox-lodge way – – 359 Benton Collieries – to the Dean & The machine Beam at the old To lay new – – – – – – – – 1749 Chapter of Durham. Pit Engine is failing very much and Along Cox-lodge Way to The Air Pump bucket of the ought to be renewed. where the new Branch leads 363 middle Pit Engine is getting very The Engine Wrights Gins both off – – – – – – – – – – – – – much out of repair, and as the at the old & Far Pit are in a Branch to new Staith – – – – 1276 1639 Feeders are now very moderate use tumbling down State & won’t repair 3388 [Bud-44-3]

125. 126. 127. the timber being rotten. They are Burn. I met Mr. Th. King at is wrot. by 9 yards Winns. 4 Bd. not Safe for the people to trust the Pit this morng. to inspect the and 5 Wall; but the holings are their lives on; we must therefore Pillars in question. We appointed to very irregular – the Boards were build two new 16 Feet Gins – that meet at 6 o ‘ Clock but Mr. King not all driven East down ‘till they holed for the old Pit to be done First. coming in time I went down the into the Waste, at various lengths. The Heap-Stead & Skreen at Pit with Geo: Hunter, The Smith & The Seam is about 6½ feet thick the Far Pit are finished, and the Robt. Smith the under Viewer at Gosf. on the average, & the Coal is very new Set of Rollies being completed We travelled to the So. extremity Strong & firm – this roof is also the Pit may Start as soon as the of Gosf. Boundy from the Engine a very Strong Post – the Seam dips whole Coal in Gibson’s way old Pit Pit – the ancient workings of Heatn. briskly to the East.

is finished – Say in a week. are extended into Gosforth in several The depth of cover under – Friday 25th. Ap: 1817 – places, and Seem to be close crept the Bourn is about 27 Fath – that Mr. Wm. Brandling having informed and thrust at a Short distance back on the bank in Gosforth, 33 to 34. the Compy. That it was probable, by from the Face to the Eastwd. The Messrs. Brandling have wrot. working the Pillars in Gosforth En: Walls have been left very thin and two or three walls off, to the Westd. Pit, that the Ouse Burn might be in some places hardly ant Coal is and the Roof seems to fall freely let into Heaton Colliery, and that to be seen, the Roof having been – the adjoing. walls being very little they were willing to take a fair supported with large Pillars of affected by the pressure. I would value for these Pillars if the Heatn. Stone, to allow of the Pillars being not however from this, venture to Compy. Through it necessary to have taken away. That part of the pronounce that the walls adjoining them left for the Support of the Coal wrot. by Messrs. Brandling to the Burn will not Creep, as [Bud-44-3]

128. 129. 130. the ancient Pillars to the East are act upon my own judgement into to require 10 Walls from N. to So. so very Feeble. this case, for as the Lessors are the quantity of Coal required to be That part which is already materially interested in the event left will be as follows crept under the Bourn, cannot I as well as the Lessees it will be 10 Walls 5 yds. Broad each = 50 conceive do further injury, and that necessary to consult their Viewers 20 part where danger is to be appre- upon it before any thing is finally The Seam 6½ feet thick 1000 hended does not exceed 10 Walls in concluded 21/6 extent from N. to So. and I shd. In the event of it’s being 2000 conceive that 20 yards in breadth deemed requisite to purchase as may 166 stowed would give ample security of these Pillars as may be deemed Cubic Yards – – – – 2166 I am not however entirely of necessary for the Support of the 2166 = 722 Chaldrons. opinion that the working of these Burn, an accurate Lining & Survey 3 Pillars would let in the Burn must be made to ascertain the I should Suppose that the 10 Bds. as the Thill of the three quarter quantity of Coal required; and with their accompanying Wall room Coal lies a little below it’s bed & I should propose to allow Messrs. will require 250 yards of Stowing I think that it will prevent the Brandling an equivalent in Benton which at 10/- will be £125 Water from passing down any Fissures Coal adjoining their new Pit. Plates Trams &c. – – 25 that may be made by the Creeping I Should think that 20 yards £150 or Thrusting of the Seam below in breath, it the board rooms are – Monday 5th. May 1817 – I would not however like to stowed will be sufficient to sup- The Far Pit Started work this port the Burn, and supposing it morning, single Shift in the Coal formerly left as a Barrier be- tween Heaton & Benton – con- sequently the workings are in

[Bud-44-3]

131. 132. 133. both Royalties fix the compensation to be paid to case such a measure should be – Monday 5th. May 1817 – Mr. Redhead for passing over the deened expedient. The Far Pit started regular Coal Shore from high to low water mark Messrs. Ra: Dodds, Th. King, & work this morning in the whole Coal where he has the ground taken to Jos. Harrison for Mr. Watson, were forming the Barriers of Heaton & Ben- build a Quay. present; but we could only proceed ton & between those Royalties. The cheapest plan of making the a short way in the business owing The repairs of the 3d. Pit Shaft On-gate, will be by a battery of Small to a heavy discharge of Styth from being completed – begun to Sink the Coals, which the Walls-end People the old Waste. Sump for Standage of the Shaft will lay down, without any charge – Tuesday 13th. May 1817 – feeders – to be drawn by Tubs to as it will be stowage for them. Viewed the Far Pit. Since the supply the Machine A pair of points must be laid Lamp was placed in the 3d. Pit, – Wed: 7 May 1817 – off Walls-end Wagg Way for this the Air course, is exceedingly strong Having obtained permission from the purpose. – indeed too Strong as it will not Dean & Chapter of Durham – thro’ – Thursday 8th. May 1817 – suffer the Candles to burn in the Mr. Fenwick – for Way-leave and Lighted the Lamp in the 3d. Pit workings – it is therefore necessary Staith Room from Long Benton. I this Evening. to diminish it. finally fixed the situation of the spout – Friday 9th. May 1817 – The Seam is in great per- subject to the approval of the River Lined a part of the Gosforth En: fection in the N. part of Heaton Jury, who must be requested to view Pits workings, in order to ascertain and in the adjoining part of Long the place as soon as possible the quantity of Coal which may be Benton – it varies from 6..5 to Advertised the building of the required to be left for the support F In. Spout – to be let by proposal of the bed of the ouse-burn in 6 .. 9 in thickness – clean Coal, without Messrs. Fryer and Wheatley to [Bud-44-3]

134. 135. 136. either Band or parting from roof that part of Benton Waste, we are No. 6. – Wed: 2 Ap. 1817 to Thill. now in and that part of it on the A Pit Gibson – – 231 – £144..18.. 5 The new high wheeled Rollies East Side of the Trouble, I ordered Robson – – 200 – 127..17.. 6 with Limmers answer exceedingly well another holing to be made into the 431 £272..15..11 An horse can bring out 6 – 20 Peck Waste – 40 yards E. of the present Vend Heaton – – – 1190 Corves with great ease, without holing, which will I expect drain Formerly – – – 2584 dragging the wheels: when the Pit off the water so low as to enable Total 3774 worked formerly one horse could only us to ascertain the cause of obstruc- No. 7. – Wed: 16 Ap. 1817

bring out 3 Corves – 11 Horses put tion between the two divisions of A Pit Gibson – – 246 – £162.. 8.. 2 the work 28 xx. P. day at present the Waste. Robson – – 256 – 152..17..11 but they could do more if necessary. Ordered the repairs of the 502 £314..18.. 1 The roof in the present works Engine also to be set about – to Vend Heaton – – – 487 is exceedingly good. The W. front enable us to get the water-level Formerly – – – 3774 of the old Boards in Benton must drift cleaned out – with a view Total 4261 be brought into a regular front, to regain access to Benton works. No. 8. – Wed: 30 Ap. 1817 after which the Winnings must under the Dyke &c. A Pit Gibson – – 204 – £132..15.. 0 be made 17 yards – viz. 5 Bd. and – Thursday 15: May 1817 – Robson – – 248 – 147.. 5.. 3 12 Wall. On laying down the Survey of Gosft. 502 £280.. 0.. 3 As there does not seem <of Coal> Vend Heaton – – – 1063 to be any communication between workings, allowing 10 yards^ to be left Formerly – – – 4261 from the W. edge of the Burn – it Total 5,324 will require according to my Calculation 778 Ch. of Coal to support it. [Bud-44-3]

137. 138. 139. No. 9. – 14 May 1817 before we decided respecting that part after which we would let him A Pit Gibson – – 342 – £180..11.. 0 of it which we have surveyed. We Know out determination respecting Robson – – 241 – 168..17..10 therefore fixed to meet Mr. Th. King it. This he promised to do without E Pit Ditto – – – 241 – 144..13.. 2 tomorrow upon the business. delay. 583 £325.. 4.. 2 – Satdy. 25 May 1817 – – Monday 27: May 1817 – Vend Heaton – – – 1379 Messrs. Dodds Watson together wth. From some cause which is not ex- Formerly – – – 5324 myself met Mr. T. King this morng. plained the Far Pit Engine came Total 6703 & compared our respective surveys of into the house at setting away this – Friday 23d. May 1817 – Gosforth workings adjoining to the morng. with so great a Shock as Met Messrs. Ra. Dodds & Jno. Watson Ouse Burn. to break the Cylinder bottom into at Walls-end to consult as to what On putting the question to 4 pieces & both the high & middle may be best to be done respecting Mr. King, he sd. Mr. Brambling wd. Set Spears were broken at the the Gosforth Pillars – to be left for certainly expect an indemnity for same time; but whether the breakg. the support of the ouse burn. any Coal wh. He should leave to of the Spears was the cause or ef- On observing that Mr. Brandling the N. of Hadricks Mill, as well fect of the Engine Striking so hard had the power of working under the as for that to the So. of it – we in, is not Known. burn to the N. of Hadericks-mill therefore requested him to estimate – Wednesday 29th. May 1817 – boundary as well as to the So. of the value of the Coal which it On taking the State of the E Pit it, we thought it better to learn might be thought necessary to leave Cylinder bottom into consideration the full extent of Mr. Brandlings say a barrier of 10 yards in boca. resolved to make an attempt to

riders respecting the whole line of from the W. edge of the burn repair it by bolting iron Plates his boundary adjoining the Burn [Bud-44-3]

140. 141. 142. bedded on Sheet Lead over the Crabs gun to make the Heap-Stead, Banks – Tuesday 3d. June 1817 – – this experiment will not cost more Skreen &c. at the 3d. Pit – to get Viewed the A Pit. is now workg. than £5 & if it succeeds will save ready for Coal work as soon as entirely in the Pillars from the far- the expence of a new bottom – it is possible. All the Spare waggs. thest N.W. extremity – adjoining the therefore well worth while to try it. must also be put in repair and made old Waste from Thompsons Pit – between A pair of Tubs must be got im- to fit Kenton Way which is 2 In. nar- the Troubles. mediately to draw water for the rower than Heaton way. A metal Stone roof runs supply of the machine. – Saturday 31: May 1817 – over part of these pillars under This will be a fit opportunity Filled the Far Pit machine Pond which the Coal is tender & works to repair the main beam of the by drawing water in tubs out of small, and a very great quantity Engine – to round the Gudgeon which the Engine Sump – for which pur- of timber is destroyed. The Goaves is worn flat, &c. pose a new Scaffold with a trap Fall very freely, the past being – Thursday 29: May 1817 – had been previously laid at the mild & free. Shortly the metal The Far Pit was laid idle to day bottom of the Pit. Stone roof will run out as the for want of water to supply the z pillars are wrot. off to the Eastd. machine. The Far Pit started Coal work again when the Coals will work much Having obtained leave of the this morng. Set up the new rounder. Owners of Willington Colliery to make Gin for the Engine Wrights. The new Firr beam which use of one of their Spouts, for The making of the Heap-Stead was put upon the Machine of Shipping Benton Coals ‘till our own & laying the wagg. Way from Bentn this Pit on the Machine of new Spout is erected – have be- 3d. Pit – to join Kenton Way is in this Pit on the 24th. Ulto. answers progress. very well The broad cast iron Cods [Bud-44-3]

143. 144. 145. which have been lately put to with Davys. Furnace. the Rollies answers very well as – Thursday 12: June 1817 – – Monday 30 June 1817 – the rollies run equally well and The pressure on the pillars in th[ect] The winding Engine at the 3d. Pit is require much less grease. W. workings of the old Pit has sub- now ready prepared for work, and – Wednesday 4 June 1817 – sided and the discharge of inflam. the heap-Stead, Branches, Skreen &c. The river jury viewed the Scale Air has ceased. are in progress. of the new Staith for Benton. – Monday 16th. June 1817 – – Sa: 5th. July 1817 –

We petition for the front Gears Begun to erect the new Staith Mr. Th. King called upon me to to Stand 210 feet from high water this morng for the Benton Coals say that Mr. Brandling would ex- mark Saw Mr. Th. King on Sa. pect £3000 for the Coal which it [Plan of Benton Staith Front Gear] last who is not yet prepared to would be requisite for him to leave State the value which he will put for the support of the ouse burn. We must wait the report of the on the Coal, to be left in Gosforth I requested him to give me this Jury before we can begin to erect for the support of the ouse-burn. information in writing which he the Gears. – Monday 23d. June 1817 – promised to do. – Friday 6 June 1817 – Occupied all last week in blowing – Tuesday 8th. July 1817 – Considerable pressure and uneasiness down Stone at the 3d. Pit Shaft to Viewed the Far Pit. Are rid- was felt in the N.W. Juds – old facilitate the discharge of the ding out the Air course to the Pit, and a great discharge of Smoke from the Lamp, – making So. E. of the Shaft, with a view Foulness, took place from the also a letter delivery for the Air to gain access to the Stone drift Thill – it became necessary to work – into the Shaft from the dumb and thence into the Benton works. [Bud-44-3]

[Plan of Benton Staith Front Gear]

146. 147. 148. The object of this operation is to for setting the 3d. Pit to Coal work ready for leading the Coals from Bank improve the ventilation of the N.W. some men are at work this morng. – Monday 14 July 1817 – workings against the pillars have to chipping the rusty Coals off the faces A considerable quantity of water has be wrought of the Boards, and the Skreen will for some time been running out Found the workings in a be finished tomorrow, so that Coal of the quick Sand near the top of very good State; but there is a work may commence on Thursday the middle Pit, which threatens to great pressure of Styth from Heaton morning if requisite. do injury to the Shaft unless it is old Waste. We must endeavour to The building of the Staith stopped. The source of the Feeder is draw off this body of Styth by pas- is going on rapidly. obscure; but there is a reason to believe sing the Engine Pit Air through it – Thursday 10th. July 1817 – that it comes from the Pond. I and throwing the return over the first Started Coal cork this morning therefore set John Wilkinson, a Canal of the Coal Pit Air so as to be at the Benton 3d. Pit Banker, to examine the pond and Kept out from amongst the men & – Friday 11 July 1817 – to put a puddle dyke about it. to be delivered through the dumb The boiler of the travelling Engine – Tuesday 22d. July 1817 – Furnace at the 3d. Pit Shaft. seems too small for drawing a All being ready and 7 Keel Ship If we cannot remove the Styth considerable quantity of Coals at freighted and laid under Biggs-m by this means we will be under the 3d. Pit. the Engine has power Spout; begun to lead Benton Coals the necessity of shutting it up in enough; but the Boiler cannot Keep this morng. the old waste, which will be at- up a regular supply of Steam – Wed. 23 July 1817 – tended with much trouble and The Coal waggons are not yet Mr. W. Brandling Stopped the some loss of Coal. Benton Waggons this morng. from All is now nearly ready going along Cox-lodge Wagg. Way [Bud-44-3]

149. 150. 151. in Mr. Charles Brandlings Grod. viewers; and told him at the same Owners. After much discussion it which he purchased of Ld. Carlisle time that according to our Survey was agreed that the affair of the Brandlings have lately purchased they had wrot. thro’ their boundary barrier for the Support of the burn Cox-lodge Colliery and altho’ they under the bed of the Burn. should be left to reference – they have not yet gotten possession, they On consulting Messrs. Potts & named Mr. Charles Gray & we named stop our waggons, because we have Johnson they thought it right that Mr. James Losh. not asked their leave to go along Mr. Th. Fenwick should Survey the Wm. Brandling said he wd. the way. If they will not give Gosfth. workings under the Burn do all he could to prevail with us leave to go along Cox-lodge which he did on Wed. 16th. July Chs. Brandling to allow the waggs. Way – thro’ their Grod. we conceive and by his survey also they had to start again for Benton. that we have a right to lay a passed the boundy. Undergd. altho’ For my part I believe that new branch of way thro’ it, which they endeavoured to shew that by the stopping of the Waggons is

will be about 300 yards long. their having won Stones on the merely a scheme to bring us to an On the 12th. Inst. Th. King asked W. Side of the Burn, the Boundy. arrangement about the Barrier me £3000 for the pillars & whole was further East than it appeared During the few days which Coal which it might be necessary to be. the 3d. Pit wrot. Coal work – 3 of the to leave in Gosforth as a Barrier – Sa. 26: July 1817 – N.W. boards were holed into the 2d. to support the bed of the ouse- Met Messrs. Will: & John Brandling Pits’ workings burn. I told him that I could & Th. King at Forsters – Queen’s head – Monday 28th. July 1817 – give no reply to him without con- Messrs. Potts & Johnson with myself Mr. Pearson received a line from sulting the owners & the Lessors attended on the part of the Heatn. Mr. Charles Brandling to say that [Bud-44-3]

152. 153. 153.[a] we might recommence the leading of Heaton old Waste in the Far Pit – it Augt. 1817 the Benton Coals again is so Strong in the dumb furnace The Flue of the Boiler at the 3d. Pit – Monday 29 July 1817 – drift at the 3d. Pit Shaft that a Failed, so that the Pit was laid in. Viewed the middle Pit – the West Davy will not burn in it. A thorough repair must therefore Jenkins are now up to the cross holing Have gotten the new bottom fixed be made for which purpose the Flue into the W. mothergait by which they to the Cylinder at the Far Pit Engine must be entirely taken out of the are supplied with a Scale of Air and are going on with other repairs Boiler. It will be proper to take out from the old Pit. The Face of the The water at the quick Sand in this opportunity to put Slides to the Jenkins is now about 9 pillars short the middle Pit Shaft has not yet Engine instead of the Steam Cocks of the Thistle Pit Dyke. taken off notwithstanding the puddle which cannot be Kept tight A great deal of Styth pours Dyke which has been built round the – Monday 11 Augt. 1817 – out of the Thrust into these Jenkins Pond, and which has to all appearances As it will be a Fortnight or three No time must be lost in pushing made it perfectly tight. The water weeks before the 3d. Pit can get to them on to open a communication with must therefore arise from some work again Fixed to bring the Ben- the old Pit’s workings above the Dyke other source than the Pond. ton Coal – Howards Walls-end thro’ but it will require Six months to – Thursday 31 July 1817 – to the Far Pit. effect it. At the 3d. Pit – the flue of the high- While the 3d. Pit is off The rolly way is not dis- pressure Engine is failing from being work it will be a good opportunity turbed in these Jenkins by the heavg. so hard driven – it cannot last for holing into, and cleaning the N. of the Thill, which is fortunate long – the new Boiler must therefore W. part of the Benton Waste; but The Styth continues to dis- be gotten ready as soon as possible as the discharge of Styth from Heatn. charge as heavily as ever from the old Waste has not yet abated, it will [Bud-44-3]

154. 155 156. be necessary to stop up the commn. to the E. of the Engine Pits. the repairs of the high pressure with it, before the opinion into the They have been at the W. Face engine at the 3d. Pit, are now in N.W. part of Benton can be made of the 2d. Pits workings – this part a great State of forwardness. as there is no living in the last of the waste is much filled with The branch of Wagg. way from of the Air after it is mixed with red Ocher; but the waste E. from Bigges main to Walls-end way the Styth. the old Engines has very little in is levelled and railed off, and – Thursday 14: Augt. 1817 – it. the last pair of Gears will be Stopped the communication wth. – Tuesday 2d. Sep: 1817 – fixed in their place tomorrow if Heaton old waste, and made an Viewed the Far Pit – found the the fresh is sufficient run out opening into the N.W. part of Ben- workings in a very good State, but of the River. ton waste this morng. from the the Coal in the barrier next Heatn. The repairing of the Far Pit 3d. Pit. A heavy discharge of old workings is working off very Engine is nearly completed – nothing Foulness took place immediately Fast. From the quantity of remains to be done but the working on holing into Benton Waste – the Styth in the old waste, it will Gear. men could not remain long enough be almost impossible to work off – Monday 8 Sep: 1817 – to open out the hole effectually the pillars in the Barrier, with Messrs. Losh & Gray, as arbitrators – Thursday 21 Augt. 1817 – out ridding out an old Pit in and Messrs. William Brandling This wastemen have made pro- Heaton for the purpose of ven- & Potts, together with Mr. Donkin gress in travelling Benton old tilation, and the Plain Pit seems as Solicitor for the Heaton owners waste – they have got to the the most proper for this purpose and Clayton as Mr. Brandlings old Engine Pits, and find the The Plain Pit is 60 Fathoms deep Solicitor, met at Mr. Loshs’ workings dry below the trouble Chambers, on the reference relative [Bud-44-3]

157. [158.] 159

to the compensation to be paid of going upon his half of the burn this new shape, it was agreed Mr. Brandling for leaving a certain to secure any fracture that may that in case the question was tract of pillars near Gosforth En. eventually take place from working brot. before arbitrators they Pit, to support the bed of the the pillars below. In this case should call Mr. Th. Fenwick ouse burn. Mr. Brandling to work all the Coal & John Watson, to furnish them Much discussion took below and the Heaton Owners to give with information, as to the extent place but preliminaries were not up all claim to legal redress in of the risk &c. agreed upon case of the water being let in. Mr. Fenwick to be considered as – Tuesday 9 Sep: 1817 – The Arbitrators were not made acting on the part of the Heaton The business of yesterday was acquainted with the amot. of this Co. & Mr. Watson for Mr. Brandling resumed this morng. offer, as in the event of Mr. Th. The meeting was adjourned Present Brandling’s refusing it the Case will to Saturday next.

Mr. Losh still have to be referred to them – Satdy. 13 Sep: 1817 – Mr. Gray Arbitrator Mr. John Brandling agreed to The parties met at Mr. Loshe’s Mr. Clayton the principle of securing the burn office this morng. and got thro’ Mr. Donkin Solicitors at the Surface in which case he the whole of the evidence in the Mr. John Brandling said his brother William & himself course of the day Mr. Potts & Mr. Potts would have no interest in it as myself signed the arbitration Bond Mr. Geo. Johnson it would be Mr. Ch. Brandling’s on behalf of the Heaton Owners Mr. Th. King affairs entirely. and it was sent out to Gosforth J.B. The question having assumed The business of this day termi- nated in the Heaton Party offering Mr. Brandling £500 for the liberty [Bud-44-3]

160. 161. 162. for Mr. Brandling’s Signature where the W. narrow Boards in Bentn. for the wheat Pit. – Tuesday 16 Sep: 1817 – have holed into the waste, is only – Thursday 18 Sep: 1817 – Viewed the Far and 3d. Pits workings about 180 yards. Begun to rid out the wheat Pit found every thing in very good or- From the appearance of the this morng. Found the Shaft by der; but the whole Coal in the W. top of the wheat Pit there is re- boring, and bored 7 Fathoms down Barrier working off rapidly. When ason to expect that the Shaft may in rubbish the whole Coal of the Barrier is be Scaffolded – in this case the rid- – Sa. 20 Sep: 1817 – wrot. off, the working of the Pills. ding out will soon be done. Got fairly within the top of the must commence; but as it will The high pressure Engine wheat Pit, which has been secured scarcely be possible to work the seems to go very well with the ad- with Square Timber – now greatly pillars, without ventilating the old ditional Boiler – she can draw and decayed. Put in new backing deals waste – on acct. of the enormous deliver a Corf P. min with great and the old Cribs taken out of quantity of Styth which it con- ease – the Steam clack loaded at the 3d. Pit. Set up a Jack-roll tains, an old Pit in Heaton must 55lbs P. Inch. – Tuesday 23d. Sep: 1817 – be ridded out without delay The 3d. Pit Coals look very Got the Stone-head at 3 Fathoms On taking all circumstances well in the Heap. in the wheat Pit – the Shaft is into consideration I think the wheat The Engine Wrights are busy 7 feet in diameter. Pit will be the most eligible – the with the Far Pit Engine – Thursday 25 Sep: 1817 – distance from which – undergd. – to A new Gin must be made The wheat Pit is ridded out to the [Bud-44-3]

163. 164. 165. depth of 5 Faths. this morng. but on Skreener at the 3d. Pit was Killed – Tuesday 7 Octr. 1817 – going down the men could hardly wk. this morng. by falling down the Pit Viewed the middle Pit this morning for Styth. The Pit must therefore The Brake of the machine having – the W. Jenkins have now reached the be bratticed & a Small Tube built gone wrong, the Bankmen went to as- Thistle Pit Dyke, and the blowing down – the So. Side of the Pit will answer sist the Brakemen in putting it to of the roof &c. for setting over it has best for the Brattice, which will be rights & while the Pit was standing commenced. Have also begun to lay the cheapest made of Slit-deals overlapped for this purpose, the Skreeners went Rolly-way in an effectual manner from As no time should be lost in to the main Fire; but they did not the Shaft. The former workings have the ridding out of this Pit, the small notice Atkinson. A short time af- been left 3 Pill. short of the Thistle Gin must be removed from the moor- ter they had been at the Fire the Pit Dyke, so that a lining of whole Pit for that purpose, and a new Onsetter called up to say that a Coal 3 Pillars in breadth lies against Gin may be made for the moor Pit man had fallen down the Pit – they it, which will be wrought when the at leisure. then missed Atkinson; but no person proper time arrives. – Saturday 4: Octr. 1817 – could give any account whatever how Let the ridding out of the Have been occupied all this week in he had gone down the Pit. wheat Pit Shaft to Wm. Gardner & Prs. removing the Gin from the Moor to – Monday 6 Octr. 1817 – @ 25/- P. Fath. including the putting the wheat Pit, putting in the The Gin being Set up and the Brattice in of Brattice. The work to be con- Brattice, cutting the Foundation for put in, begun to rid out the wheat tinued night & Day with 12 Men; but the Tube &c. Pit again this morng. This job 10 men to be allowed to work up the Thomas Atkinson a must now be let by the Fathom 12 men’s time. The Pit was 8 Fath. [Bud-44-3]

166. 167. 168. down when this bargain commenced. formerly at the depth of Fathoms Whole Coal in the N.W. Barrier The Wastemen are getting very The Brattice Keeps the Shaft quite of the high Pit is nearly all wrot. well Forward in the cleaning out of clean, without lighting any Fire in off, next long Benton Boundary – Benton old waste to the N. West the Tube. it has therefore become necessary to of the 3d. Pit; but the Seam dips – Friday 24 Octr. 1817 – work a larger proportion of the in that direction to a down-cast The Water met with in the Wheat Benton Coal to this Pit. But Trouble which is above the Coal height Pit has not interrupted the ridding as the So. Part of Benton West & consequently the workings beyond it out of the Shaft materially as it is Barrier is also working past off are drowned easily drawn out with a Tub the Southernmost part of Heaton The water has been con- and abates gradually. Barrier must be prepared for veyed from these workings formerly by Wm. Carrick Deputy Overman work without delay. deep levels which are now filled up killed in the high Pit this morng. The W. Jenkin from the 3d. and I cannot yet determine which by the fall of a Stone when draw- Pits workings into the Heaton old may be the best mode of taking off ing Props. Waste is going on very well – this

the water to regain them. The high Pit Engine is jenkin is to make a communi- – Tuesday 14 Octr. 1817 – now completed in the house, and cation – for an Air Course with All things going on well at very little remains to be done in the Wheat Pit Shaft – it is now the Colliery. the Shaft about 60 yards advanced into the – Friday 17 Octr. 1817 – – Tuesday 28 Octr. 1817 – Waste, which is very close crept Got a little water in the wheat Viewed the high Pit, and the 3d. at about a Pillar W. from the Pit Shaft where a Tub has been Pits workings this morning. The Face. The Walls which don’t seem to be 6 yards thick are [Bud-44-3]

169. 170. 171

very crushed and rusted on are pumping the water from their The repairs of the Far Pit Engine the outsides – I am apprehensive dip workings thro’ it As this are now completed, and the Boilers that they will not be worth working water is troublesome to us in will be filled to day; but there is The Jenkin has met with a cleaning out the Levels, I ordered reason to fear that the low Set rise trouble at 3 Pill. up – it is the hole to be plugged up of Pumps is laired – to ascertain not yet set over. I suspect it The ridding out of the this and prevent mischief, the low either to be the Plain Pit Dyke Wheat Pit is going on very well set Spears must be moved with or a branch of it. – She is now finished to the the Crab, by which means it is The old Wokings to the depth of 43 Fathoms. possible the Set may be cleared N.W. of the 3d. Pit, are now com- Have gotten thro’ the without the trouble of drawing the pletely cleaned out & ventilated Thistle Pit Dyke, with the West Pumps. to a down-cast trouble at which Jenkin from the middle Pit. The Waggon-way & new they seem to have terminated. The Bucket-tree price of Staith at Walls-end were finished The Shifters are busy cleaning the high N. Set at the middle yesterday & the first of the H[ewers] out the Levels which have drained Pit split yesterday – it was hooped Walls-end Coals were Shipped there his quarter. The water is so much with all expedition. The Feeder of this morng. the 28th. Octr. 1817. lowered as to give access to the water has abated considerably at – Sa. 1 Nov: 1817 – Frame Dam in the outstroke Drift this Engine, owing to the E. part The low Set of Pumps at the high into Gosforth. of Benton Waste being run off Pit Engine being completed laired The Gosforth people have to the level of the last holing fixed to attach a wind-bore to bored a hole thro’ this dam and [Bud-44-3]

172. 173. 174. the clack door for the purpose of cleaning out of the Far Pit Sump down very strong & will undoubtedly drawing the water down – there are was finished & the law Set of pumps do so ‘till the Tube Furnace is lighted some pipes at the middle Pit machn. got to work this day. which cannot be done ‘till the brattice

which will answer this purpose Tuesday 18th. Nov: 1817 is taken out of the Shaft. Wednesday 5: Nov: 1817 Viewed the Far Pit and the 3d. Pit. These Brattice deals will answer Got the wheat Pit Shaft ridded the workings in the Far Pit are in a for ridding out the Lane Pit which out to the bottom, when the Air very good State but the whole Coal is must be set about as soon as con- went freely away in every direction working off very Fast in the W. Barrier venient. The opening pout of the Pit oc- next old Heaton Waste – the last lift All things going on very casioned a great influx of Styth from of boards in the So. part of it is now well in the 3 Pit; but 2 or 3 of the the W. Jenkins out of the 3d. Pit. in work. N.W. Boards have got an upcast but of course this will only be The holing thro’ the waste to trouble, seemingly Coal height or temporary the wheat Pit will clean the West Side better. Friday 14: Nov: 1817 of the Barrier of the Styth so as to ad- Sent word to Mr. T. King on Got thro’ between the wheat Pit mit of our holing thro’ it, and workg. the 7th. Inst. that we wd. allow the plug Shaft & the 3d. Pit workings – the the Pillars in the Barrier whenever to be taken out of the dam – to allow Pillars seem to have been wrot. out we may find it necessary to do so. the water from gosforth a passage after a Creep, as the roof is sup- Could not get into the Wheat Pit provided they wd. clean out our levels ported on the metal ridges Jenkins owing to a great discharge of & prevent it’s troubling us. He said The Styth from a heavy So. W. wind – the they were erecting a Crank to lift Wheat Pit still continues to cast the water and would not require a water-course thro’ the dam Ordered a pair of N. Heads. [Bud-44-3]

175. 176. 177. to be set away – above the Trouble in the Ochre which it holds in suspension Friday 28: Nov: 1817 3 Pit – to fore-win the old workings – this is deposited in the bottom of the Have but got indifferently for- against which a Barrier of 30 yds. Boilers & occasions the Fire to ruin the ward with the cleaning out and must be left. This will form a pro- Iron. When the water stands in a repairing of the water-course Dft. per district for working the Coal by body the ochre subsides & the water from the Far Pit En. Sump. The large winnings – to ensure an effec- appears to purify – this being the Sludge chocks the pumps so much tual second working. The winnings to case I determined to try the effect of that the men cannot keep regu- be 16 yards – 4 Bd. – 12 Wall. feeding the Boilers from the Pond larly in the Drift. This District will contain abt. into which the En: water must be The apparatus for feeding 6 Acres. delivered & after remaining there a the middle Pit Boilers from the The cleaning out and repairing proper time to allow it to settle Pond is fixed; we shall therefore of the Far Pit Engine-level Drift – out the Boilers must be fed with it. – soon ascertain whether it will of the Sump, commenced yesterday mg. – it will be much more easy to clean do any good to the Boilers of Stopped the middle Pit Engine the dirt out of the Pond than the not. this morng. to make a thorough repair Boilers. Monday 1 Dec. 1817

– the foot & discharging Valves &c. The demand for Coals being Lighted the Tube Furnace at the all want repairing now very brisk the Pill must be put Wheat Pit this morng. so much The destruction of the Boilers to their full pitch of work. Styth came off, that the Fire at this Pit, continues as bad as ever Monday 24: Nov: 1817 would not burn, without the ad- – it does not appear to arise so Set the 3d. Pit on double Shift mission of a large quantity of much from the bad quality of the this morning. fresh Air by the Tube Doors. water, as from the great quantity of [Bud-44-3]

178. 179. 180. Tuesday 2 Dec. 1817 to those in Gosforth a day’s work Viewed the Far & 3d. Pits. This Trouble has cut off se- Sa. 13 Dec. 1817 A very large quantity of Styth veral Boards, which is cramping The Flue of the Boiler at the 3d. Pit is discharging from the Heaton old us for room very much, as there was repaired & the End of the Boiler waste – the lighting of the Fur- are not places to raise the work put in this Eveng. but it must nace in the Wheat Pit seems to from until the Boards can before- stand a few days to harden the have occasioned this discharge of won, on the rise side of Cement. The new Boiler drives Styth from some obscure cause the Trouble. the Engine very well – if it keeps which I cannot at present acct. A very large quantity right it can draw 20 xx. in 12 for The Trouble which is aris- of Styth is still discharging from hours. sing the N.W. Boards in the the Wheat Pit – the Furnace will The cleaning out of the 3 Pit, is an upcast of 10 ft. not burn in the Tube without a Far Pit Engine Level Drift, goes to the West. It has a thin considerable admission of fresh Air on but slowly, owing to the in- lining of danty Coal & the Seam Wednesday 10 Dec: 1817 terruption by the water from the near to it is of very irregular One of the Flue Plates on the old want of Standage thickness & I begin to apprehend Boiler of the high pressure Engine Tuesday 16 Dec. 1817 that the whole of the Coal in at the 3d. Pit gave way this morng. Viewed the Far & 3d. Pits. this quarter will be intersected which made it necessary to take Have begun to prepare the W. with Balks & Nips, similar out the end of the Boiler to get mothergate Jenkin from the E Pit it repaired – this stopped the Pit Shaft for a Rolly way, with a view, to make a trial over the W. Trouble, in search of a Tract of Coal which seems to lie in [Bud-44-3]

181. 182. 183. in that quarter Five of the W. Boards are now trial this mode of Feeding shouls The pressure of Styth from put thro’ the Trouble in the E Pit be found advantageous it must

Heaton old waste diminishes very and the Coal beyond it seems to be adopted at the old & Far Pits little, altho’ the Wheat Pit caste up look very well. The three Troubles Long Benton Estate, belongs.

freely & has evidently an abundant occupy a Space of from 7 to 15 to the Earl of Carlisle, contains supply of Air from some place or or 16 yards in breadth. A R P. other. Gosforth seems the most The Crane was Set in the 641..3..36 likely place & as our object in open- W. Mothergait of the 3 Pit at College Lands to the N.W. 45..2.. 0 ing out the wheat Pit is in a Yards from the Shaft, the Ditto – – – – to N. East – 184..2.. 0 great measure defeated by this Rolly way was laid and the put- 871..3..36 circumstance, it must be remedied ting of the Coals by Rollies started Coal North of the great Dyke

if possible on the 1st. Inst. A R P. An endeavour must Have begun to cut a reser- Ld. Carlisle supposed – – – 187..3.. 3 therefore be made to close up voir to collect water for the use College Lands to the N.W. 45..2.. – all the openings round the So. W. of the Machine Engine at the 3d. Part of Do. – – to N. East – – 102..0.. 0 & N. Sides of the bottom of the Pit. 335..1..3 Wheat Pit and on each side of The feeding of the middle Supposed to be distroyed by the Jenkin to the Eastward, as Pit Boilers from the Pond (Pa. the Great Dyke – – – – – 55..1..3 far as may be found requisite 176.) promises fair to answer a Supp: quanty. of workw. Coal 280..0..0 by which I should expect a suf- good purpose – no Furring was Supposing the Seam to contain 3000 ficient draught of Air will be found in the Boilers after the usual Ch. of Coal & that ¾th. of it may induced from the E Pit Engine time when fed in this way – only be sent to Market – the above Tract Shaft a little soft mud. If on further wd. yield, 630,000 Ch. – say 21 years [Bud-44-3]

184. 187. 188. working at a Vend of 30,000 Ch. Thursday 1st. Jany. 1818 cleaning of it out to the Eastward Yearly. Note the foregoing accot. Heaton Pits laid off this day must be pursued unremittingly as well of the extent of Coal was sent me to lie idle ‘till the 12th. Inst. – in the as the preparing the old East Mother- by Major Johnson. mean time all necessary repairs will gait for the Rolly-way. Thursday 25 Dec: 1817 be made to the Machines, Shafts &c. The Gut of the W. Staple Trouble has All the Pits idle to day. The drawing out of the En. Level been followed down 9 feet but the Wed: 31 Dec: 1817 Drift E Pit will be continued. Coal is not yet got – a Jack-roll All endeavours which have yet been Wed: 7 Jany. 1818 must be fixed & the Gut followed made to prevent the Wheat Pit from Got to the 1st. Stap: from the E Pit down ‘till the Seam is found – this drawing Air from some unknown Shaft, in the Engine Level Drift. may be done the more easily as source have done little good, as The Fly wheel of the 3 Pit there is no water at the Trouble she does not by any means draw so Machine broke this Eveng. & laid the The Wheat Pit Furnace does much Air from the Engine Pit as we Pit off. not yet draw the Air from the could wish. Friday 9 Jany. 1818 Engine Pit, so well as it ought to

The 3d. Pit was laid off Coal A new fly wheel being fixed to the do, altho’ it is much better than work on 25, 26, 27th. Insts. During 3d. Pit Mache. the Pit resumed Coal it was, since the openings in the which time, the Barroway was im- work this morng. Crept waste were closed on the proved thro’ the Trouble in the nar- Tues 13 Jany. 1818 sides of the Jenkin. row Board. Viewed the E Pit & 3d. Pit. More pains must be taken The ridding out of the En: The E Pit Engine Drift being in closing up these openings & the Level Drift E Pit goes on but slowly cleaned out to the first Staple, the [Pages 185 & 186 are Blank] [Bud-44-3]

189. 190. 191. cracks in the Roof must be clayed principally from the Drift – to the Trouble to the West by which I expect we may at last Staple, the use of which we don’t Satdy. 17 Jany. 1818 succeed, in securing the Air Course exactly know. Got the Seam at the Trouble in to the wheat Pit. This water injures the Coals the Face of the Far Pit, W. mgt. The Workings in the E Pit are & Ropes very much & must be got – it proves to be a downcast of all in a very good State; but the quit of by some means. 15 feet. Ordered a holing to be made Coal in the Barrier is getting very In the first place we will round to the N. for an Air Course limited rid out the Staple & by putting a after which we must decide on the In the 3d. Pit every thing is Dam in the Drift, near to the best mode of making a Rolly-way going on very well – the Seam is Shaft, endeavour to collect the water down the Trouble. looking very well on the W. Side in the bottom of the Staple out Tuesday 17th. Jany. 1818 of the Trouble of which it may be drawn by Down the D Pit Examined the Fixed to make a Cut in a Pump, attached to the Machine state of the W. mothergait Drift the fore Narrow Board – to take As the Crank Shaft of the thro’ the Thistle Pit Dyke. On the Rolly way up the Trouble – for 3d. Pit Machine springs very much levelling the Dyke it proves to be the purpose of working the N.W. from being too slender I fixed to an upcast of 5 Fathoms. Coal. This Cut will be 7 Winnings have a new maleable one made 4 – Fixed to make an opencast for N. from the N. Mothergate In. square. The Engine goes very an Incline Plane down this Trouble A very large feeder of water well now & can draw more work – it must be made with a descent Falls down the 3 Pit Shaft, when- than the Pit can supply, owing of 12 In. P. yard. This job may com- ever the weather is wet – it seems to the want of room from the mence immediately to come in about the Stone-head Boards having been cut off by the [Bud-44-3]

192. 193. 194. The filtering of the Water in the Pond formed into a District for the purpose Seams rising gently. Within the at the middle Pit answers as well by a course of Board End & Heads. lost 2 or 3 yards the Coal has

& saves the Boilers so much that, Stoppings. begun to back very much from it justifies the extension of the Plan Thursday 29th. Jany. 1818 which I apprehend that a Trouble to the old Pit – feeding Pond. I there- Met Messrs. Potts & Pearson at is near at hand. fore fixed to raise a puddle Dyke the Colliery the general State &c. of The opening out of the En. about the Pond at the old Pit 3 ft. which was fully explained & dis- Level Drift is suspended for the high, to augment the Reservoir, & at cussed. present owing to the great quantity the same time to collect all the fresh Monday 2d. Feb. 1818 of Styth which is discharged from water we possibly can by drawing out Begun to build the Board-end the Thrust; but the ridding out of the Gutters in the Fields & conveying Stoppings – to form the intended the E. Mgt. Jenkin goes on very the Water to the Pond. District for working the Pillars well & A So. holing from it is in The day water must also in Benton – by the E Pit progress, which when finished, will be collected in the same manner The exploring Drift over the I expect improve the Air in the & carried to the middle Pit. dip Trouble in the Face of the E En. Level Drift so much as to As the whole Coal is nearly Pit W. Mothergait is going on very enable us to proceed with the clean- exhausted in the Far Pit, it will be favourably – Named this Drift Endeavour ing of it out again. necessary in a very short time to Tuesday 10: Feb. 1818 All things going on very work some broken. The most eligible Viewed the E & 3d. Pits. The well in the workings – but the Place to commence the working of Endeavour Drift is extended nearly Barrier Coal next Heaton old Waste the Pillars, is in the So. W. Angle 40 yards to the West – beyond the is very much crushed by the of the Barrier – this angle must be Trouble in very good Coal – the ancient Creep. [Bud-44-3]

195. 196. 197. Have got the Rolly way laid proved so beneficial to the Thursday 26th. Feby. 1818 up the Cut through the Trouble boilers, that no doubt remains Set out the new Branch of Wagg. in the 3d. Pit. The Coal is very of the propriety of extending the Way from the E Pit, to join the good to the N. West; but the Plan. I therefore resolved to Cox-lodge Way. When this Branch Seam has the appearance of thin- convey the Water from the Far is [joined] any proportion of the ning a little in that direction Pit, to the middle Pit, which Far Pit Coals that may be thot. Feb. 17th. 1818 J. Wilkinson will engage to do right may be taken to Howard- Got the rise Trouble in the by the Gutters & Embankment for main Spout. Endeavour Drift E Pit, at a £14. When this is accomplished Resumed the ridding out little more than 40 yards for I expect there will be a suffi- of the En: Level Drift at the the downcast Trouble cient supply of fresh water to E Pit Sa: 21: Feb: 1818 Feed the middle Boilers The Conveyance of the fresh Finished the Machine Pond A brisk demand for Coals Water from the Far Pit to the at the old Pit – the clearing have taken place, ordered the middle Pit is in progress. out & enlarging of the Pond work to be increased a little. Tuesday 3 Mar: 1818

including the expence of the Begun to work the pillars Commenced the cutting out of Puddle Dyke has cost £9. in Long Benton to the E Pit, on the Trouble in the Face of the Tuesday 24 Feb: 1818 the 12th. Inst. E Pit W. Mothergait The settling of the Pit Water Tuesday 17 Mar: 1818 in the middle Pit En. Pond has The ridding out of the Engine [Bud-44-3]

198. 199. 200. level in the Far Pit is going the Boards North, instead of John Wilkinson proposed to lay the on very well, as is also the workg. West – the present innermost Branch of the Wagg: way from the E of the pillars in Benton E. & W. Boards will therefore become Pit on the following terms. Will: Storey Deputy Overman the winng. Headways, cut of which Preparing the Ground P. yard 0..9d. Killed by a side wafer in the the N. Boards are to be turned. Laying the way – – – – – – – 5 Benton Pillars – he was a very decent Friday 3d. Ap: 1818 Ballasting & making side gangs & useful man. Holed the Rolly-way Stone drift & foot Gutters – – – – – – – – – 4 Sa. 21 Mar: 1818 through the dip Trouble at the Face Grooving the Stones – – – – – 6 Called the Binding & bound the of the E Pit W. mothergait Total P. yard – – – – – – – – – 2..0 complement of people in a very Thursdy. 9th. Ap: 1818 – short time Finished the rolly-way in the E Wed: 25 Mar: 1818 Pit W. mothergate, and begun to The general opinion being that open out the exploring Drift on the N.W. Coal – above the the dip side of the Trouble. Trouble in the 3d. Pit, works Have been much interrupted much better Coals in a heads. for a fortnight past in the E Pit course than in a boardways Course Engine Level Drift by Styth; but a direction, I determined to drive Jenkin is now holed into the Level and the Air put round so that we shall now be able to go on with the Drift again [Bud-44-3]

201. 202. 203. Thursday 31: Ap: 1818 – seem to have done any injury On examining the W. Trouble, it From the late heavy Rains a in the Bed of the Burn. does not appear to me, to be the great increase of Water has taken Wed. 6th. May 1818 main Trouble, I therefore ordered the place from the old Waste – it Sent Geo: Hunter to see Mr. Brand- W. Drifts to be continued thro’ the gives full employment to the D ling & Th. King at Cox-lodge Colly. Trouble – the So. drift to be kept Pit Engine. Office – to ask permission to inspect in advance & both to be bored.

The Wet weather has also their operations in the Brandling The So. E. Jenkin – between the greatly impeded the laying of the Pit. This they consented to do, but Mgt. & Water-level being holed, the new Branch of wagg: way from said it would be a month or 6 Level may now proceed again as it the E Pit – to join Cox-lodge way weeks before they shd. work any more can be properly ventilated During the course of a Pillars next our Stowing, King In the 3d. Pit, the Coal has Fortnight past, Brandlings people promised to inform us when they thinned to 4½ & 5 feet – to the N.W. have brought a Creep upon part begun again. next Gosforth Boundary & is deteri- of the Pillars in the Gosforth En: Thursday 7th. May 1818 orated in quality. It is coarse Pit, at the So. East Corner of their Viewed the Far Pit & Benton 3d. & Strong to work & the Hewers Boundy. where Jesmond Burn Falls Pits workings complain much of the hardness into the ouse-burn. This Creep The Coal between the of the work – I agreed to allow has cracked the Ground at the edge Troubles to the W. of the Far Pit them 1½ lbs. of Gunpowder in the of the ouse burn & injured Boundary is looking well – there are 3 So. Fortnight more. Colliery houses; but it does not & N. Bds. will be quickly cut off The Water Still continues very by the approximation of the Troubles heavy at the D Pit En: Ordered a pair of N. & So. [Bud-44-3]

204. 205. 206. winning Heads. to be set away with Iron Sperrables, the heads Sent Smith & the Wastemen to out of the W. Jenkin in the D Pit of which must be ground smooth put in Stowing where they have in the whole Coal on the East Side before they go to use. wrot. off the Coal. of the Trouble – at the foot of the Satdy. 16th. May 1818 Thursday 21 May 1818 new Inclined Plane. The Gosforth people wt. thro’ a Viewed the old & middle Pits Sent Joe Smith & Jno. Wilkinson part of our Stowing & two of the The working of the Pillars in the to examine the Town-moor to see Coal Walls in the Brandling Pit old Pit is going on very well; but if they could find out any old Pits adjoining to the ouse-burn. the travelling road to the Moor & where the Day Water enters. Wrote to Mr. W. Brandling Pit being stopped by the Creep They found several places of this & Th. King for leave to Stow up the present working places can description – particularly an old the Goaves next the Burn as the only be ventilated by a Scale quarry near the grand Stand. Pillars are wrot. way from the main Air Course, which The Corporation must be applied Sunday 17th. May 1818 runs thro’ to the middle Pit. to – to allow us to Stop up these Recd. a line giving us permission As there is not Furnace at holes, as there can scarcely be a to secure the roof in the Brandg. present in the moor Pit, the Scale doubt but the Water finds its’ Pit as requested Air is very faint – to the North way thro’ Jesmond old Workings Wed: 20: May 1818 & in consequence the Styth from into Heaton Recd. a Letter from Th. King to the old waste is very troublesome The consumption of Leather inform me that they had begun If we could obtain leave from

is so serious at the D Pit, that to work the Pillars next our Sr. M.W. Ridley to put a small I ordered the Buckets to be gratted Stowing under the ouse-burn Tube upon the Moor Pit it would greatly improve the ventilation of [Bud-44-3]

207. 208. 209. these workings by blowing down the roof thro’ Stowing the Goaves in Gosforth, as The N. & So. Heads. are the Swelly where the water Stands above described Set away from the W. Jenkin in We are very badly off for Stables Tuesday 2d. June 1818 the middle Pit – they are each in this Pit – we must endeavour Viewed the Far & 3d. Pits. The W. about 12 yards in & the Coal is to get some made to the So. W. Drifts between the Troubles in West Mother- looking very well. of the Shaft by cutting out some gait have got another rise hitch 5 yds. The influx of water from of the Crept Pillars. from the Trouble at which they were the old waste is diminishing a The inclined plane up standing which was an upcast of little but still the Engine does the Dyke is finished & the Rolly 7 feet. not brot it. The Spears &c. are way laid; but the lowering down getting out of repair & as soon Machine is not yet put up. [Diagram of upcast] as it is possible to stop the En: Sa. 23d. May 1818 for a few days every thing must Stowing the Goaves in Gosforth Named this District Endeavour be put in good order. Aftert under the bed of the Ouse Burn Are getting on very well with the he D Pit En. Standage is fitted as Brandling’s People work off the Engine Level to the Eastwd. – the & before the water serves away to Pillars – by this mode of procedure water course Jenkin is now down the old En. It rises 2 feet on there is no doubt of securing the to the Benton Stone Drift So. End. the rolly way – to the So. W. of the Bed of the Burn. All things going on well Shaft. It appears to me advisable Sa. 30th. May 1818 in the 3d. Pit; but the Seam con- – to avoid this inconvenience in Have been employed every night tinues very thin to the N.W. future – to raise the Rolly-way thro’ the course of this week in & the Coal is coarse It was discovered last Sundy. morng. that a great quantity of [Bud-44-3]

[Diagram of upcast]

210. 211. 212. water was going into the Colliery open-cast in the W. Mothergate – wrights have got the middle Pit at Rennoldson’s Mill race – at a about 150 yards of 3 In. Pipes will Spears examined & repaired – those place where it had never been ob- do. that were faulty being taken out served to go in at before – it was Sunday 7th. June 1818 & new ones put in their places. immediately Stopped in a tempo- Stopped the inlet of water in Ren- Thursday 18: June 1818 rary manner; but is must be ef- noldson’s Mill – tail race – in an ef- Viewed the Far Pit Begun to fectually secured the first opportu- fectual manner work the Pillars this morng. next nity. It is most probable that Tuesday 9th. June 1818 Heaton old waste – in the middle this inlet has occasioned the late Ordered 100 yards of 3 In. cast Iron way. The E. mothergate is now increase of water at the Engines Pipes of Jos. Harrison – for conveying cleaned out to the So. end of the Satdy. 6th. June 1818 the water from the Bore-hole in En- Benton Stone Drift; but the Engine Holed into the waste, with the rods deavour West mgt. Drift – for which he Level is not yet finished by 50 yds. out of the W. Drifts in Endeavour is to take payment in Coals. – the Stone Drift is close fallen at 6 yards, the So. Drift having gone 5 The Styth from Heaton old All matters underground going yards beyond the last upcast Trouble waste continues to be very trouble- on very well but the Trade is very of 8 feet – there appeared to be some, owing I imagine to the warm- bad for want of Ships. the Heap a considerable pressure of water. ness of the weather. The Wheat Pit room at the 3d. Pit is completely The water may be drawn off has in a great measure ceased to filled up with Coals. out of this waste by laying Iron cast up. – Monday 22 June 1818 Pipes from the Bore-hole, over Tuesday 16th. June 1818 Begun to rid out the Lane Pit the bank top, at the E. end of the During the last few Days the Engine – found the top of the Pit very [Bud-44-3]

193 213. 194 214. 215. readily. Wed: 15th. July 1818 top is put on. At present the En. Tuesday 30th. June 1818 The Wastemen got to the bottom is working with one Boiler only & The Flue of the old Boiler at the of the Lane Pit this morng. The cannot go more than 5 Strokes P. 3d. Pit failed near the mouth. Stopped workings near the Shaft – as far as Minute. the Pit till it is repaired – as the they could see were upstanding – the The ridding out of the Bentn. Coals don’t vend and the Heap room Roof good – the Thill of the Seam Stone Drift is now advanced about is completely filled up, the Flue of dry & no Slick upon it. 25 yards – it is fallen quite close & the Boiler may be repaired at leisure A good deal of rubbish at requires a great deal of Timber to Thursday 2d. July 1818 the bottom of the Shaft; but suffi- secure it. Are making progress in ridding out cient Air way above it. Found the Pit’s Air very faint the Stone Drift into Benton – it is Thursday 16th. July 1818 which must arise from the Lane as close crept as possible Viewed the Far Pit. the So. Boards Pit being open – the communicatn. Getting very well forward in in Endeavour, are dipping rapidly with this Pit must therefore be con-

ridding out the Lane Pit, which is – are obliged to employ Galloways tracted so as only to leave a sufficient let to W. Gardner & Prs. @ 25/- P. Fa. to bring the Trams up – the Coal Scale for repairing the Shaft. Tuesday 14th. July 1818 is however remarkably good. The Coal being taken off – to Got a Scaffold in the Lane Have got the Iron 3 In: make room for the Inclined Plane Pit at the thill of the ¾ Coal – Pipes for carrying off the Waste Machine at the Head of the W. Jenkin about 29 Faths. from the Surface. There from the W. Side of the Trouble; but in the Middle Pit. The Machine was a hole in the Scaffold at which the Waste cannot be tapped until must now be put up as soon as the Air immediately went away to the old Lead Top is taken off the mid- convenient the dumb Furnace at the 3d. Pit dle Boiler of the Engine & an Iron The middle Pit Feeders are very moderate at present – the [Bud-44-3]

216. 217. 218. Engine Strikes the water down have become very uneasy thro’ the freely as it might otherwise do & every 12 hours with ease. course of this week, from the throws an additional pressure Friday 24th. July 1818 pressure of the Roof & a disposition upon the working walls. The Have been employed in repairing the to Creep. pressure on these walls is also in- Lane Pit Shaft – clead up two Cistern Tuesday 11th. Augt. 1818 creased by there being between two holes. A Bag of Foulness came of Examined the workings of the Far crept wastes viz. Heaton old waste this afternoon, which filled the Shaft Pit – found the Pillars in the N.W. 7 the crept waste of our own late 9 faths. up from the bottom. Barrier against Heaton old waste workings. Finished the repairs of the labouring under great pressure. As the workings in this 3 Pit Machine – drew the Corves This pressure is however mostly if part must necessarily be precarious out of the Pit. not wholly confined to the walls from their particular situation Thursday 30th. July 1818 which are now working off, & we must endeavour to fix upon The Stone Drift from the E Pit E. is occasioned by the Goaves not another situation from which to Mothergate into Benton is now rid- falling freely. raise the supply of Coals in the ded out for about 36 yards – it is There is a considerable event of being driven out of this very difficult & expensive to rid out thickness of blue metal upon the place. owing to being so much broken by Coal head which compels them to The Benton Stone drift the Creep. have a small Stook of Coal oc- is now ridded out for 40 yards; Satdy. 8th. Augt. 1818 casionally, and these Stooks pre- it is quite close crept & very dif- The N.W. Barrier walls in the Far vent the Post from falling so ficult to rid out, owing to the Pit where we have been working roof & sides being so very much the Pillars for some time past [Bud-44-3]

219. 220. 221. crushed instance that cast Iron Cribs to the North of the middle Pit The 3 So. Boards in Endeavour might have been got in before but find the old drift on a higher are going very well – they are the fore-side cleading; but on ex- level than was expected not dipping so much as formerly amination the Shaft I found this The inclined plane at the – they are now better than 3 Pill. impossible owing to the high Set Thistle Pit dyke in this pit is down. The N. Board is nearly Pumps & the low Set Spear being now finished and is a very com- finished. close to the Side of the Pit. plete job. The Wrights are setting Under these circumstances the The Benton Stone drift high up the lowering down mache. at only thing that could be done was Pit is now ridded out as far as the 5 Fa. Dyke in the middle Pit to stay the Timber back – thro’ the Siding & is holed into the Thursday 20th. Augt. 1818 the Sand & to draw off the Feeder Jenkin formerly driven, which The Engine Wrights observed the of water in the Coal Pit – from the ventilates the drift completely. timber at the quick Sand, in the clay above the Sand. The walls in the N.W. Barrier N.E. side of the middle Pit En: Tuesday 25th. Augt. 1818 Far Pit still labour under great Shaft to be giving way this morng. Have made a very good job pressure. Have begun to make and on examining the State of the of securing the quick Sand in a District of Pillars ready for timber they found it had given the middle Pit; but the Feeder work in Benton, – to resort to way – principally the Cribs, and of Water from the Sand does in ease of being driven out of the Sand was spunging thro’ not come off freely in the Coal the N.W. Barrier by the Creep. into the Pit. Pit Shaft Tuesday 1st. Sep. 1818 I thought in the Have holed the Stone drift Are getting very badly forwd. first in the ridding out of the Stone [Bud-44-3]

222. 223. 224. Stone Drift into Benton. In So. Drifts going – to hole into the Hadericks Mill Dam. The Boundy. the old siding the roof has given W. Rolly way Mothergt. on the dip Boards to be carefully bored. way and has fallen thro’ the Side of the Dyke. Tuesday 29 Sep. 1818 Bottom Coal up to the main These Drifts are intended Viewed the Far Pit. The So. Bds. seam for an Air Course at a future in Endeavour still continue to Tuesday 8th. Sep. 1818 period, when the Pillars W. of the dip very much and the leading The pressure on the Pillars in Dyke may be wrot. off & thrust out of the water has become the N.W. Barrier workings E The W. Jenkins for the Rolly very expensive. It therefore seems Pit is still very troublesome; way above the Inclined Plane Mache. most advisable to fix a hand but the district of Pillars in must also be kept going. Force Pump for the present; but Long Benton Liberty is ready Sep: 26: 1818. it will require 120 yds. of 3 In. to begin to, whenever it may Have nearly finished the opening out Cast Iron Pipes – to join those

be necessary. of the Stone Drift formerly driven which are to carry off the water Begun to work the Pillars for a Rolly way from the middle from the old waste, down the in Long Benton – to the E Pit Pit Shift – to the rise Side (N.) W. Mothergate in the District prepared for that of the 5 fa. upcast Dyke This Are now getting pretty purpose. Drift is for a Rolly way to work well forward in ridding out the Sa: 19th. Sep. 1818 the Pillars, to the N. of the Dyke Rolly-way Stone Drift, into The Lining of whole Coal on the Started Coal work again Benton E. or dip side of the Thistle Pit at the 3d. Pit, on the 24th. Inst. Tuesday 13: Octr. 1818 Dyke E Pit, being wrot. off Fixed to leave a Barrier of 15 to Have now got thro’ the rolly we can now merely keep the 18 yards against Gosforth Boundy. way Stone Drift in Benton – into under the ouse Burn – N. of [Bud-44-3]

225. 226. 227. the workings which are very foul to the So. – from the Pillars & Pump. In this case the Cylinder A better Air Course must be Barriers of our former workings will be loaden at 11 lbs. P. In. exclusive ridded to the top of the Staple – provided the water can be drawn of friction along the Jenkin formerly driven. out. It seems prudent to adopt Sa: 14: Nov: 1818 Tuesday 27 Octr. 1818 some efficient mode of drawing On consulting with Mr. Potts The Gosforth People having ap- the water. the above Plan of the Engine plied for permission to let their On giving this Subject was decided upon. water thro’ the Frame Dam into the fullest consideration, a small We also agreed to ask Benton. On consulting with Mr. Trivithick Engine seems the most Mr. B. Thompson if he would Potts, it was agreed to grant eligible Machine for pumping let, or sell Fawdon Staith. In them leave to unplug the hole the water here consequence of which I wrote in the Dam. The Engine to be placed Mr. Thompson to ask the Tuesday 3d. Nov. 1818 at the 10, 11, or 12th. Pill: So. question. The water still continues to in- The Smoke to be carrier Tuesday 17 Nov: 1818 crease in Endeavour. On putting to the fore-Side Shaft. The En: Viewed the workings of the away a W. exploring drift over Pit to be made the downcast middle and old Pits. the Trouble – to the So. W. in this to Supply the workings. No Coal work going on District, the Coal proves very fa- In this case the perp: in the middle Pit at present vourable; and as there is a pros- lift of the En: will be about Are preparing the North pect of Coal, further 10 faths. Stone Drift for a Rolly way I propose to have 4 In. Pumps to cut out the Creep, to the N. and a 6 In. Cylinder – with a double of the 5 Fa. Dyke. I think it is too Steep near the Shaft for [Bud-44-3]

228. 229. 230

horses to come down. An in- Sa: 21 Nov: 1818 2 Boards and 2 Walls – to the clineed Plane with probably answer The plan of the Engine for N. of the Dyke. So far all is best; but the Horses may be Endeavour being completed, gave favourable. tried first. Messrs. Hawks the order for the The Shifters have got the Gave directions for opening same. They are to make all Air forced to the Face of the out the workings W. of the it’s parts except the Boilers Benton Heads. Far Pit; but they Thistle Pit Dyke with a view which our own Smiths will do – are not yet sufficiently cleaned to gain access to the Fracture Recd. A written offer of Fawdon to allow them to get to the Plugs where the water burst in, at Staith from Mr. Thompson Considerable pressure has been the misfortune He offers it at a valuation experienced on the walls adjoining Found the workings of as using stock – by two indifft. to the 2d. Pannel of Broken in the the Pillars in the old Pit go- persons, and to deduct 20 P. Cent Far Pits – Benton Liberty for a ing on as well as possible from the amount Fortnight past; bur the Goaves The present workings are Tuesday 1 Dec: 1818 having fallen completely within in waterloo District. The roof Examined the Stone Drift &c. the last 2 or 3 Days, the pres- is a good Post, the Juds are to the N. of the middle Pit sure has subsided got clean off, and as soon After full consideration determined The first Goaves in the as the Timber is drawn the to make an inclined plane at far N.W. way – 3d. Pit, next Had- Goaves fall completely. No it’s outby end – 50 yds. In length dricks’ Mill have fallen freely pressure on the adjoining The N. Drift (Jenkin) at the They began to fall last Sa. Walls. End of this Stone Drift, has [accessed] night, and fell in Leaves so [Bud-44-3]

231. 232. 233. gradually, as not to do any be to take off an angle of the Satdy. 19: Dec: 1818 injury. Coal Shaft, by a small quarter The pressure upon the walls ad- The 1st. Goaves in the 3d. brattice – so as to form a Box joining the 2d. Pannel of Broken Pit, next Haddricks Mill have or Chimney in Benton has returned, and seems fallen freely. They fell in Leaves Have not yet got to to have become a confirmed Creep without making any great con- the Plugs in Benton N.E. way The Thill rises freely, but the roof cussion as the Drift is stowed up, and does not break. Monday 14 Dec: 1818 Stowage is scarce. As Stowing would be very Two Planks in the Tubbing of the Some bags of Foulness expensive, on account of the want 3d. Pit Shaft Sprung. It was having lately come off in the of Stones, and the result uncertain necessary to cut them out and creep Drifts, to the N. in the on account of the uncertain state put in new ones. middle Pit I ordered Davys to of the old workings on both sides

Tuesday 15 Dec: 1818 be used exclusively, both in the of the Trouble, it appears to me Viewed the Far Pit. first and last of the Air. most advisable to suffer the Creep The prospect of getting a As the consumption of to take its’ own course. considerable quantity of Coal in En. Bars is very great, resolved Should it close the com- Endeavour, continues very good. to try a Set of Mr. Leggs – munication between the Far & 3d. Fixed upon the manner of patent hollow-water Bars Pits, I think an Air Course may conveying the Smoke from the The Boiler for the small be cut out again at less expence pumping Engine pumping En: in Endeavour is than the Stowing would cost; and As the Shaft Brattice finished, and the other parts as the Thill rises so freely, the is much out of repair, the of the En: in great progress cheapest made of getting the Smoke carried up the Pit, will [Bud-44-3]

234. 235. 237. Pillars will be placed in a much Wed: 30 Dec. 1818 Tuesday 12 Jany. 1819 better state for future working The Creep still continues to go on Examined the workings of the Thursdy. 24 Dec: 1818 slowly in Benton: and as the middle and old Pits. Laid off the Pits for the Christmas time of its’ duration is uncertain The inclined Plane in the holidays. The Creep is still going it will be right to propose the N. Stone Drift from the middle on in Benton. middle Pit for work – to employ Pit Shaft is nearly completed Monday 28th. Dec. 1818 the men ‘till the 3d. Pit can be when the cutting out of the The Creep is more active this morng. got to work again. N. Creep will be resumed. in Benton. As I am still of The Wastemen tapped Ben- The So. W. Heads. is going opinion that it ought to be allowed ton waste, at the extremity of on very well at present having to take its own course, I ordered the N.E. workings – from the got thro’ the Troubles which im- the Horses to be drawn out of Stone Drift. The Water did not peded it so much so that I the 3d. Pit. The 3d. Pit. Furnace come off very Strong, so that I expect we shall now be able to has been out for some days but hope the waste will soon be obtain a communication with the Air Course continues very good drained, so as to allow of the the W. mgt. of the old Pit with & little if any Foulness has yet come barrier being drifted thro’. out much difficulty off. Th. Smith went thro’ the We shall then ascertain the The object of this commu- Creep from the Far to the 3d. Pit state of the Waste, on the E. side nicatn. Is to secure an Air Course this afternoon; but the Thill was of the 3d. Pit Trouble, and probably on the dip Side of the Thistle hoven so much that he did not obtain an Air communication thro’ Pit Dyke, when at a future pe- think it would be possible to go the Waste to the Lane Pit riod the Creep may close the any more through [Page 236 is Blank]

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238. 239. 240. communication on its’ W. side – East of our present Rolly way 3 In. – there is now a 3 In. and Are making preparations for The Creep in the 3d. Pit has 1¾ In. hole running. Setting thro’ the Dyke to the N. been very languid for several days The water from Heaton – into Heaton old waste, to as- past, and has made little further waste having percolated thro’ certain if any whole Coal has progress to the North. The Waste the Thill, at the Trouble in the been left there. men can still travel through face of Endeavour W. mgt. drift In the old Pit every thing from the Far to the 3d. Pit. The waste was tapped and the water is going on as well as possible Th: 14 Jan. 1819 was passed thro’ the 3 In. metal – all the Coal is got out of the Met Mr. Potts at the Colliery pipes formerly laid for that purpose Pillars; but the consumption of nothing particular in discussion Sa: 23 Jany. 1819 Props is great. Tuesday 19 Jany. 1819 Met Messrs. Pearson, Potts and Geo. The small pumping En: The small pumping Engine for Johnson at the office in N.C. for Endeavour, is nearly finished. Endeavout is in great forwardness when the state &c. of the Colliery The water is running – the Chimney up the Pit was fi- was discussed, and it was deemed off very freely by the bore-holes nished on the 31: Ulto. it is for- expedient to endeavour to renew from Benton waste. There is med by taking the angle off the E. the Lease of the Spanish Closes reason to believe that the waste corner of the Coal Shaft – 4 deals & of Heaton, and also to obtain is not close crept, as a scale of in breadth. a Lease from Sr. T H. Liddell Bt. Air, is coming from the Lane [shaft Sketch] & Prs. of Long Benton. Pit thro’ the holing into the Waste Friday 22 Jany. 1819 Tuesday 26 Jany. 1819 on the rise side of the trouble Widened one of the bore- The Water is discharging very holes into Benton E. Waste to [Bud-44-3]

[Diagram of Shaft Chimney]

241. 242. 243. freely both from Benton old Waste done relative to the Subjects dis- this quarter are not so com- – at the bore-holes to the N.E. cussed on the 23d. Inst. pletely closed by the Creep as and also from the Heaton waste Tuesdy. 2d. Feb: 1819 might have been excepted in Endeavour – thro’ the Pipes. All things going on very well A great quantity of water is The Far Pit Engine cannot draw at the Colly. The water still con- dammed back by the metal all the water which is discharging tinues to run off very freely ridgees. The present Cuttings will in this way, consequently part of from Benton Waste. It over- only drain the walls to the West it is going to the middle Pit lays the E Pit Engine; but the against the Trouble – about 9 Pill Engine. Surplus goes to the D. at the out-by end. The walls The Creep in the 3d. Pit The small pumping to the East of the present Jen- has made little progress for the Engine for Endeavour is now kin must be drained by a new last fortnight. The Wastemen are nearly finished. Water Course Drift thro’ the Dyke still able to keep a travelling way Tuesday 9: Feb: 1819 at a future period. thro’ from the Far Pit. Viewed the middle Pit. The Have set away the back The ventilation is kept cutting out of the Creep to the Chance Drift to explore the waste sufficiently good by an occasional N. above the Dyke is going on where the Accident happened in water-fall in the Far Pit En: very well, the N. Jenkin Heads. May 1815. The fore drift where Shaft. has reached the galloping Board the water rushes in is choaked Thursdy. 29 Jany. 1819 viz the 7th. Bd. N. from the Dyke up with large blocks of Stone This being a very Stormy day This Board is not close crept & It will be a work of considerable Mr. Pearson did not get to the to all appearance the workings in time to accomplish this Colliery – nothing could therefore be The Drift of communication [Bud-44-3]

244. 245. 246. (on the E. side of the Thistle Pit will be finished. It is however too differently. The water to the N & E. Dyke) to the old Pit mgt. serious an undertaking to rid thro’ it is very troublesome, and the blue Stone is going on very well, tho’ slow- we must therefore try if it will an- is thickening to the West, under which ly. According to the Plan it has swer, before we endeavour to im- the Pillars are much crushed, and now about 180 yards to go prove it. the Coals work very Small. The middle Pit Engine has The Air in the Endeavour Wed: 3d. Mar: 1819 had a great increase of water since District is very stack from the want The Creep to the So. of the 3 Pit the great Fall of Rain on the of the 3d. Pit Furnace; but it will Shaft was discovered to have be- 29th. Ulto. the increase was vis- be improved when the water is drawn come very active this afternoon & ible the day after the Rain Fell off & an Air communication is form- to be advancing to the Northward which shews that the inlet is ed thro’ Benton waste to the Lane Thursday 4 Mar: 1819 not remote. Pit. as the water is now falling The Creep still continues, and has Monday 22 Feb: 1819 rapidly in the waste I hope it will reached the 3d. Pit Shaft walls, and Begun to take the materials of not be long ‘till this can be effected. has every appearance of going on the small pumping En: down the The Water from Heaton Waste without Stopping to the Northward E Pit. in Endeavour, has been discharging thro’ Friday 5th. Mar: 1819 Tuesday 23 Feb: 1819 the 3 In. Pipes constantly since the 22d. Ulto The Creep is not quite so rapid Viewed the Far Pit. Examined the and has abated a little. this morng; but still there is Chamber for the En: and the Board Are getting the pillars wrot. no reason to expect that it may for the delivery of the Smoke. There very clean off in the Far way – the not ultimately stop the Air Course is plenty of room in the Board, but Coal is however considerably crushed between the Far & 3d. Pits. In this I am rather apprehensive that the The cutting out of the N. Creep passage thro’ the Thrust to the Shaft in the middle Pit, is going on but in [Bud-44-3]

247. 248. 249. case we must endeavour to make Friday 2d. Ap: 1819 Friday 16 Ap: 1819 the Lane Pit, the upcast to the Th. Smith went thro’ the holing Got 4 Winns. North over into the Far Pit. from the N.E. heads. into Benton Chance Pit Waste; by bratticeing; but Nothing however can be waste. He got 5 or 6 winns. to a great quantity of Styth came done at present, ‘till the Creep is the N. but could not proceed off. The Waste is quite open and settled. further, the workings being close upstanding & clean washed by the The Small pumping Engine crept. As far as he could water rushing out of it when the is now fixed in it’s place in Endeavour judge the Walls were very firm accident happened 3d. May 1815. but the Boiler is not yet down. and not rusted This holing into the waste Tuesdy. 6 Ap: 1819 Thursdy. 8 Ap: 1819 appears to be close to the Face

Down the Far Pit – found Started the high pressure En. of the E. workings from the the Air Course very faint owing in Endeavour – it answers ex- Chance Pit, so that in all pro- to the commn. with the 3d. Pit ceedingly well. bability we shall get some whole being closed by the Creep. The Wed. 14 Ap: 1819 Coal in this quarter. Shifters are making every exer- Holed the Stone Drift thro’ the Wed. 21 Ap: 1819 tion to get an Air Course cut Trouble, in the middle Pit, into The Shifters have not yet got an thro’ the Creep. the Chance Pit waste, and got opening thro’ the Creep to the 3d. The water was drawn off to the Fracture where the ac- Pit. It is most desirable to get out of the Benton waste – by cutting cident happened – it is in the this communication effected, as thro’ from the Face of the N.E. Face of an E. Board. the Air Course in the E Pit still Heads. on the 1st. Inst. continues very faint. [Bud-44-3]

250. 251. 252. From the quantity of Styth working the Pillars below wrot. in the old Colliery in the which issues out of the Benton Friday 31 Ap: 1819 whole district between the Chance waste, there seems little chance The Air having been thrown into & Thistle Pit dykes; and there ap- of us being able to make any the Chance Pit waste by brattice pears to be some whole Coal progress in cutting thro’ it, unless it became so clean, that the Waste- left both to the So. W. and N.E. the Lane Pit can be made a men travelled 17 Pills. West, and These workings have been wrot. regular & powerful upcast. 43 Winnings in breadth from N. to with tolerable regularity, at 9 yds. The only means of effecting So. They found the waste in a very to the winning 5 Bd. – 4 wall – the this is by an Air Pump. open state, the walls very firm walls holed at 20 yds. wide There is a very good Air Pump and the Coals little if any rusted Consequently 0.655 of the Seam has to spare at Hebb. Which would Tuesday 4th. May 1819 been wrot. and 0.345 remains in Pills. answer the purpose – the price Examined the Chance Pit waste The Seam is 5 ft. thick or better of it must be enquired. this morng. Travelled 23 Pills. West & Contains 3226 Ch. P. Acre, of which Mondy. 19 Ap: 1819 to the rubbish at the bottom of 0.655 or 2113 Ch. has been wrot. and 0.345 Mr. Watson Sent J Harrison & the old En. Pits, which stopped our or 1113 Ch. remains in the Pillars Jas. Campble to examine the progress in that direction. Got also The Seam has been won to workings under Heaton Hall, to to the Face of the W. Boards – N. a certain distance to the dip or E. see, that we were not working of the En. Pits – this is the Barrier of the Engines by a Stone drift out the pillars so as to injure it under the Ouse Burn. The waste of the En: Sump. After which a The Lodges are cracking, which is quite upstanding and the walls more extensive Winning to the dip is supposed to arise from our firm and good. It seems pretty has been pursued for a considerable clear that no pillars have been distance; but seems to have been relinquished before it has been finished [Bud-44-3]

253. 254. 255. The En: Pit must have been Sunk would not have happened. 8 or 9 Pillars West up from the N. several faths. below the Seam & a An excellent Post roof thro’ end of the Stone Drift. Stone drift driven to the East, by this waste with here and there a The Coals are working very good the aid of Staples. We found 12 piece of Ramble, on the Coal out of this quarter, and as soon as of the Staples – they are sunk Head. I am inclined to think the whole Coal is wrot. off the workg. at about 20 yds. asunder, and are that a great quantity of good Coal of the Pills. Between the galloping very deep – probably 16 or 18 faths. may be obtained out of the Pills. Board & the 5 fath Dyke will com- We found the rubbish at the but a Creep must first be brot. over mence. bottom of the Chance Pit, it seems them. This for future Consideratn. The wastemen effects or travel- to have extended itself to the dist- Sent the wastemen in Search ling way thro’ between the E. & 3d. ance of 30 or 40 yds. in every direction of the Knab Pits bottom. It will Pits (thro’ the Creep in Benton waste) from the Shaft. most likely be found expedient to on the 25th. Ulto: No change had I could not examine the open out this Pit for an Air Course taken place about the 3d. Pit Shaft Fracture where the water burst Middle Pit No progress making nor has the Creep extended any further in at the misfortune, as the waste into the Creep N. of the galloping North. men had put the Brattice before Board at present – are merely rid- The ventilation of the E Pit it. It is in the Face of a Single ding a water Course, to get thro’ is much improved by this commu- Board which had been won out & the 7 Ft. Hitch. nication being opened. put a few yards down to the E. Are working off the lining In the course of this afternoon and the misfortune Drift, had gone of whole Coal formerly left against the Wastemen found the Rubbish at cut a Back which ran into the Face the N. Side of the 5 Fa. dyke. There the bottom of the Knab Pit. It is of the Board. Had the Drift are now 2 Boards in it going West run in the same manner as at been a yard further E. the accident up to the Trouble which terminated it the other Pits. They also found [Bud-44-3]

256. 257 258. some sort of a Machine for to be requested to inspect the As there is no water at the drawing water; but as their Candles pillars in Heaton old Waste 3d. Pit – fixed to work the Air would burn, for the Styth, they could with a view to obtain a re- pump with a 6 In. Trevithick not make out it’s construction duction of tentale thereon – af- Engine. Satdy. 8th. May 1819 ter the Agreet. for Long Benton May 25: 1819 The Co: met at the fitting is Signed. Mr. Hill examined the pillars office – present An Air pump to be fixed &c. under Heaton Hall, and repor- Mr. Johnson Mr. Pearson on the Lane Pit – to ventilate ted that the wall being left un- Mr.Potts Mr. G. Johnson the old waste. wrought for 50 yards on every Side J.B. Monday 10th. May 1819 of the Hall and out offices would

Mr. Watson differed in opinion Bought an Air Pump of the be sufficient for its support. Ten with Mr. Buddle, as to the Hebburn Owners for £90. all yards of stowing to be put into quantity of Coal to be left the timber and Iron work of the end of each open place, all for the support of Heaton the Air Pump. Engine Frame round the outstroke of this Hall. It was agreed that Mr. Beam & parallel motion in- Barrier. Hills’ opinion should be taken cluded. Tuesday 8th. June 1819 thereon. This pump is nearly as Examined the E Pits Works. The propriety of renewing good as new, only having been Found the Small Engine in the Leases of the Heaton & Span. a very short while used on Endeavour working very well. Closes to be taken into con- the A Pit Hebburn. It can draw water very sideration after the agreemt. This Pump is 5 Ft. Sqr. well – working 8 hours P. day for Long Benton Leases is with an 8 Ft. double Stroke – con- 3 days P. week. completed. sequently of will draw 400 cubic The exploring drift in Messrs. Dodds & Watson’s feet P. Stroke this way are going on very [Bud-44-3]

259. 240. 260. 261

well – the So. Drifts are about Company were of opinion that Way. The Pillars are working off 50 yds. from holing into the Coal such an arrangement would be in the old Pit in the most favou- Waste. beneficial I could not object to rable manner possible. The Coal Wednesday 16 June 1819 it. is got clean off and the Goaves Have begun to set up the Air Wed: 19th. June 1819 Fall freely, immediately after being Pump at the Lane Pit. All things going on well drawn. All things going on very Underground. The Falling of the Goaves well underground, except the House The Stowing under Heatn. affects the Surface of the Ground in the old Pit a great number Hall is in great forwardness, as both the Lodge at Heaton Gate and of which are getting greased is also, the inclined Plane drift the Stables and Hovel have shrunk from some cause or other which up the Dyke into the misfortune but are not materially injured remains to be explained Waste. The Stowing for the support Saturday 19th. June 1819 Jos. Smith is pushing on of Heaton Hall is just finished. Mr. Pearson informed me that with the Engine for the Air Pump Examined the Fracture where at a meeting of the Company on the Lane Pit. The Boiler is the water broke in, on the 3d. May last Thursday, it had occurred to already finished. 1815, very particularly. It is nearly them, that it would be beneficial, Tuesday 13th. July 1819 9 feet Square in the Face of an to the Concern, to appoint a resi- Viewed the Middle, and old Pits’ East Board which had been won dent Viewer; and that they thought workings; all of which are going out by a single Headways next of nominating Mr. Geo: Johnson on very well. but the former the trouble. A Back in if I approved of it. are cramped for want of room

I replied that if the between the hitches in the West [Bud-44-3]

[Diagrams of Board & Drift of Accident Site]

262. 263. 264. the Stone of the W. Side of the Profile July 1819 drift had run up into the Coal [Diagram of Board & Drift of Accident Site] Holed with the Rods out of and caused it to give way. from Endeavour, District, into the drowned ¾ to a Yard of Coal^<in thickness> seems to a b, Rise hitch to North of waste of the Galloping Board way have been forced out from the 7 feet. The Engine Level will draw Face of the Board. July 14th. 1819 off the water to the level of the 1,1.2.2 Shews Finished the Stowing for the bore-hole; but 4 feet more level the direction and support of Heaton Hall must be taken up to loose the slope of the July 15th. 1819 waste, down to the Thill. Back Begun to Stow the Barrier The Feeders of water are

[Diagram of Board & Drift of Accident Site] next the 10 yard winnings in now very moderate both at the the old Pit. Middle and low Pit Engines. a b, Those parts of the Coal & Stone Tuesday 27th. July 1819 which were forced out by the pressure Viewed the Far Pit. The Level of the water is not yet finished, to carry the water from the Bore-hole, to the Engine in Endeavour way. It will be done by the end of the week. While the Levels are in hand it is necessary to keep the Engine con- stantly at work, as the water must [Bud-44-3]

265. 266. 267. be kept close down able to decide on the most eligible evening at 8 o ‘ Clock, in consequence The 3 In. Pipes which carry mode of ventilating the several of the middle Set Spear of the the water from Heaton old waste workings. main Engine having broke. across Endeavour, have got nearly Friday 30th. June[July] 1819 Tuesday 5th. Augt. 1819 furred up. The water is leaking Got the 3 In. Pipes, described on Started the Air Pump Engine, on through the Thill in considerable quan- the last page cleaned out. The the Lane Pit; but the Frame under tity, and finds its’ way down to feeder is considerably abated, indeed the Fly-wheel Shaft, not being suf- the Engine. The Pipes must be the whole of the Colliery Feeders ficiently firm. The Engine was cleaned out as soon as convent. have diminished considerably within stopped until it can be supported Have begun to cut out the the last two months. They are by a Stone Pillar. whole Pillars, between the N. Stowed now considerably less than they Tuesday 10th. Augt. 1819 Barrier and the Benton Coal Barr: have ever been since the accident Viewed the middle Pit. These Pillars as far as can be in 1815. Have ^<got> one winning through yet seen have a favourable appear- Satdy. 7th. Augt. 1819 the 7 feet Hitch – to the North of ance. Opened the bore-hole, from Endea- the dyke. The Seam dips consider- The Air Pump Engine on vour workings, into the Galloping ably to the Northd. beyond the hitch the Lane Pit is in great forwardness board waste. The Small Engine It is therefore to be feared that if the Founders finish the Steam can keep the hole running Full we shall be interrupted by the Pipes in time it will be ready to hole. water again, before the drift reach Start against the end of this week Monday 9th. Augt. 1819 After the effect of the Air Stopped the small Engine this Pump is tried we shall be better [Bud-44-3]

268. 269. 270. the far Hitch. Those North Number of Horses at present Keep this Engine more than half jenkin Drifts must be driven in employed viz. Horses Ponies employed. I therefore ordered another the Stenting wall of the old win- Old Pit – – – – – – 14 – 0 hole to be opened into the waste ning headways, which seems to be Middle do. – – – – 7 – 5 to give the Engine a full supply 10 or 12 yards thick Far Pit – – – – – – 16 – 1 of water. The walls seem very firm here 37 – 6 The Air Pump on the and the Ramble has the appearance Waggon Horses – 33 Lane Pit has been at work again of thinning to the Northward. Cart – – – – – – – 7 but it draws so powerfully, as to There are 14 winnings here Gin – – – – – – – – 2 take the Engine Smoke into the between the two hitches – all whole Farm – – – – – – – 6 workings. It must therefore be walls. Saddle – – – – – – 2 laid off ‘till some other arrangement All things going on very well Lane and idle – – 9 3 of the Air Course can be made in the old, and Far Pits. The 96 9 Tuesday 7th. Sep: 1819 middle Pit is working very good Total Number – 105 The Engine Seems to be beating the Coals at present. Tuesday 24th. Augt. 1819 water from the G. Board waste The Stacking of the Hay is Viewed the Far Pit. The bore-hole As it is very desirable to get nearly completed. Bought better has been opened for some days into some progress made along the E. than 380 Tons, the quantity is the Galloping Board waste. It is Stone Drift E Pit into Long Benton excellent. a 2 In. hole and does not Seem to waste, which cannot now be done for want of ventilation. I think it will be advisable to Set the [Bud-44-3]

271. 272. 273. Air Pump on the Lane Pit to in Benton & the Thrust, to make water from Heaton old Waste, thro’ work. The Pump must go slowly an out-let for the Air (above the Endeavour , to the high Pit Engine so as to induce a sufficient current workings) to the 3d. Pit. The ven- are again choaked up by the se- of Air thro’ the Drift; but not soh tilation of the Jenkins was im- diment of water. The Feeder ard as to draw the Engine Smoke proved by these operations is therefore seaping to the small along with it. Sep. 14th. 1819 Engine, and gives it an additional Augt. 28th. 1819 The Pumping En: in Endeavour has burthen. Covered up the wheat Pit by Mr. G. The Air Course, through the Ben- As those Pipes are very liable Johnson’s directions, to see if the ton Stone Drift has improved so to be Choaked up, it will be the workings can be ventilated without much since the 7th. Inst. that it best way to clean them thoroughly Keeping on the Tube there. has not been necessary to set on again & to pass a small chain Sep. 1: 1819 the Air Pump. This arises I think thro’ them, which may be pulled Four of the Far N.W. Jenkins in from the discharge of Styth from backwards and forwards occasionally

the E Pit, Benton, laid off by the old workings having been & will I think prevent the ac- Styth in consequence of the wheat supposed by the improved state cumuation of Sediment Pit being covered up. of the atmosphere. Octr. 5th. 1819 Sep. 4: 1819 Are preparing the inclined Plane Viewed the E Pit, there are now Three Styth doors were Set and machine for the misfortune Drift 5 N.W. Juds & Jenkins, going in the Stowing was taken out of a Sep. 20th. 1819 Benton, and one Jenkin going wall between the N.W. narrow Bds. The 3 In. Pipes which discharge the [Bud-44-3]

274. 275. 276. to the East in the 1st. wall N. wished for, and the water had not fetch the En. Smoke into the of the Stowed Barrier in Bentn. visibly abated at the holes when Air Course. The getting quit of The W. places are working it stopped by the breaking of the the water-fall, is however so very good Coal, the roof being Comm. Pipes great an object, as fully to war- good & very little pressure as yet As the water-fall in the En. rant a trial of the above scheme having come upon the Walls. Pit injures the Ropes very much The Stowing of the Barrier in The East Jenkin is also going by making the Coal Shaft wet; it the Conclusion District was finished favourably, not having been inter- would be advantageous, to air on the 28th. Ulto. rupted by water. It is now 7 the Pit without it. Octr. 12th. 1819 Pills. down, and has only 3 Pill This may be done by making Have turned the Air in the E further to go to the Barrier. the En. Pit the upcast to carry Pit and made the Engine Pit the The pumping Engine in Endeavour off the Smoke from the Endear. upcast. It answers very well. was laid off yesterday by the [bocak]- Engine, and to make the fore- Set the Air Pump on the Lane ing of the Communicatn. Pipe. side Shaft the down cast – to Pit to work and resumed the This was occasioned by the heavg. be drawn by the Air Pump on ridding out of the Levels &c. of the Thill which has thrown the the Lane Pit. in the Benton East Workings – to whole Engine much out of Centre The only risk in this case gain access to the old waste The Pipe will be repaired to day is, that the Air Pump may at the lowest Level. the Engine has not been kept so draw down both Shafts, and Nov: 1: 1819 steadily going as might have It having been decided to prepare [Bud-44-3]

277 278 279

the whole Coal at the East Face Tuesdy. 14th. Dec. 1819 well at present, it will be proper of the old Waste – Misfortune way Down the Far Pit with Mr. to persevere a while longer Middle Pit for work. It was Geo: Johnson. Found the works. Dec: 18th. 1819 thought right to run an E. Drift in the Far way – in the Barrier As it has every appearance of down at the 9th. winng. ^<N.> from the between Benton & Heaton in a freezing so hard as to Stop the

Trouble to explore the Coal tolerably good State River at St. Anthony’s it was Nov: 23: 1819 Decided to push the operats. thought right to set the Far Viewed the Middle & old Pits to the N. East into Benton Waste Pit on double Shift for the workings. for the purpose of ascertaining purpose of supplying any demand The above exploring the state of the Pillars there that may take place at the Drift has got a downcast Trouble without delay. Howard Spout Ordered it to be set down ‘till The Engine in Endeavour 1819 the seam is met with in a does not seem to make any Dec: 22d. The Chimney Board from the regular State impression on the Galloping Board Small Engine Far Pit took Fire Dec: 1819 Waste Water. From which it is but being soon discovered was easily Found the above Dyke to be a to be apprehended that the extinguished down-cast of feet water in passing from the Far Dec: 24th. Pits laid off for Xmas to the middle Pit En: thro’ the Holidays waste, may find it’s way into Dec: 27th. Begun to take the old the Gallp. Bd. waste. But as Cylinder out of the D Pit Machine the Endeavour Engine is going very to put in a new one. Employed the Overmen & Deputies during the [Bud-44-3]

280. 283 284. Holidays in repairing Rolly ways Wed. 19 Jany. 1820 &C. Found the Trouble in the Met Messrs. Pearson, Potts & misfortune way to be a dipper Geo. Johnson at the Colliery. By to the E. of 5 Fathoms. a Sketch of the Accts. Produced it appeared that the Colly. had lost £ arising from the mode which we had been obliged to adopt of vending the Coals, by 1820 freighting upholding &c. from which Th: 6th. Jany. The old and Far Pits it seems that the selling price started work. Set the Far Pit of the Coals had only averaged on double Shift to supply the P. Ch. Trade, whilst the Frost continues It was resolved to observe the at Howards’ Spout. strictest economy in the future Jany. 20th. Started the trial Drifts management of the Colly. and to from the E. Side of the 5 Fa. make every possible retrenchment Trouble, Misfortune way, D Pit. of Expences Jany. 22d. Got the new Cylinder 36 In.

diam. Home to the D Pit, it is cast with a Flange at top, so as to ad- mit of being made dble. powered [Pages 281 & 282 are Blank] [Bud-44-3]

285 286 287

Satdy. 22 Jany. 1820 leave to change the line of 1820 Met Messrs. Pearson, Potts, Major Wagg. way viz to take it from Jany. 25th. Far Pit – all the work Geo: Johnson at Newcastle the old Pit, to join Cox-lodge at present coming out of the N. The propriety of renewing the way near Walls-end. To take East way, in Benton Barrier. The Leases of Spanish Closes and Heatn. all the Coals to Howard Spout Coal is exceedingly good here, but Colliery, and also of changing the 1820 the winnings 12 yards, are too line of W. way from St. Auths. Jany. 25th. Viewed the Far Pit Small – they ought to be in- to Walls-end was discussed Examined the progress made in creased to 17 yds. to prevent It was agreed that an ap- the ridding out of the Rolly-way the Coals being crushed in pieces plication for renewing the Colly. into Benton Liberty from the when the Broken is wrought Leases, as well as Sr. M.W. Stone Drift. The Ridding is Have laid off the small Ridleys way leave Lease should completed as far as the 10th. pumping Engine in Endeavour be made without delay. And Stenting in the N.E. Winning Way, as it did not seem to in negotiating the renewals to Headways. The Headways is very make any impression on the endeavour if possible to obtain much crushed and fallen, and waste. Owing as it is supposed a reduction of certain & tentale hardly any Stowage to be got to the Water finding it’s way Rent –particularly on the old which impedes the ridding very from the Far Pit Standage, or Pillars. much. rather from the drowned waste It was also agreed that From 1000 to 1200 yards between the Far & middle Pits an application should be made of Rolly-way Plates will be to the Corpn. of Newcastle for wanted to lay this way with. [Bud-44-3]

1820 288. 1820 Jany. (29) 289 290

thro’ the Trouble in the Gal- Geo: Johnson. Laid the following Yards loping Board waste. Estimate of the Expence of laying Length of main Branch 1749 This Waste may in all pro- a new Branch of W. way, from Suppose 4 Sidings at bability be more conveniently drawn the old Pit, to join the Howard – 30 yards each – – – 120 off at it’s So. extremity, where main way, in Walls-end Grounds Total Length required 1869 access must be made from the before the Meeting 1869 Yards at 14/ 7 – £1362..16..3 head of the “Roll Bank” in the The (double) yard of Way includg. It was resolved to make ap-

middle Pit, into the whole Coal Pedestats, to weigh 80 lbs. to be plication to the Corporation for on the dip Side of the Trouble cast on Losh & Cos. Patent Constn. leave to change the Line of in the Misfortune Way. at 12/ 6 P. Cwt. – – – – – – – £0..8..11¼ way from St. Anthony’s as above Are working 21xx. P. Preparing the Grounds – 0..1.. 0 It was also agreed to make day at the old Pit. and making Conduits application to Messrs. Pullien & Ps. Have 23 Horses and 5 Gal- Stones & fitting the Pedests. & Sr. Th. H. Liddell & Ps. to renew loways in the Far Pit. work 6 Stones to 4 yards – – – 0..1.. 6 the Spanish Closes, and Heaton entirely with Davys. Laying the way – – – – – – – 0..0.. 3 Colliery Leases. Sa Jany. 29th. Dined with Co. Ballasting & makg. Foot Communicating all these at Loftus’s present Mr. Pearson Gangs & Gutters – – – 0..0.. 4 matters to Mr. John Watson who Mr. Potts, Major Johnson & Mr. Geo: Fencing wth. Dble. Railing – 0..2.. 6 is agent for all these parties 0..14..6¼ Say 14/ 7 P. Yd. [Bud-44-3]

1820 291 1820 292. 1820 293

Satdy. 5th. Feby. Messrs. Potts, Geo. Feb. 19th. A very great increase and the Banksmen immediately Johnson & myself met Mr. Watson of Water has taken place at the drew the Rope which brot. one at Loftus’s, when the mode of middle Pit Engine. It is rising of the burning Bundles to bank making application to the several in the Standage notwithstanding but the other was left in the Lessors for the renewal of the the Engine is kept going as bottom. Geo. Robson the Over- Leases was discussed. hard as possible. man and some other persons It was agreed that we shd. Feb. 28th. Had a narrow es- went down & got the other burning Send written proposals to Mr. cape at the Far Pit this Eveng. bundle extinguished with great Watson, which he will forward by 2 Bundles of Hay being set difficulty. They were almost to the respective parties. on Fire at the bottom of the Suffocated, as was D. Thompson Feb. 8th. Examined the repairs of Shaft. the Horsekeeper – he was quite the middle Pit Machine, which The Bundles of Hay had insensible for some time are nearly completed. Looked at been let down the Pit whilst The Horses were also much the proposed new line of Wagg. the Horsekeeper was in the affected and would have very way &c. Stables, and on lighting on the soon been suffocated, if the Examined the Air Pump bottom had by some means burning Hay had not been at the Lane Pit. The frame knocked down the Onsetters Lamp extinguished when it was. of the Engine is in a very which Set them on Fire. A The Smoke forced itself both indifferent state of repair. Boy coming out of the Far with, and against the Air- N. way discovered what had taken place and gave the alarm [Bud-44-3]

1820 294 1820 295 296. Course. This accident arose of it gets away thro’ the Thill An 11 In. Brass Barrell 7½ feet entirely from the inattention of to the old Engine, otherwise the long & 1 In. thick will weigh the Banksmen and Horsekeeper middle Engine would be com- 1612 lbs. which at 20d. P. lb. is The Banksmen ought not to pletely beaten. £84..6..8 and the cast Iron have sent the Hay down ‘till A great deal of time is Ends to it will cost £7..17..6 the Horsekeeper was at the lost at the middle Engine; by more – £92..4..2 in all. Bottom to receive it. And the destruction of the Buckets, The saving of leather by the the horsekeeper ought not to from the badness of the water use of Brass Barrels would have left the Shaft whilst A Bucket in the 4 high Sets pay for them in less than a the Hay was coming down. seldom goes more the 3 or 4 year. It will therefore be March 7th. examined the days, so that a Bucket has right to adopt them. Workings of the middle and to be changed every day. This But as a Cast Iron Barrel old Pits. is allowed with a great loss with a Brass Chamber, provided The Water still continues of time and expence. it could be well executed would very heavy upon the middle There is no remedy for this cost a great deal less money Pit Engine. It has frequently put putting in Brass working than a brass Barrel. And as of late been so high as to Barrels into the Small Sits. the making of such a Barrel overflow the Rolly-way, and The 16 In. (low Set) Bucket is deemed practicable, it seems get into the Stables. A part lasts 5 Weeks. of [Bud-44-3]

1820 297. 1820 298. 1820 299

advisable to try one of that finished we shall have nothing Waste. Nothing particular in kind in the first instance left, but a few Walls between the the old Pit. An 11 In. Brass Chamber to ½ In. 5 fath. Dyke, and the 7 Ft. Hitch April 4th. 1820 ^<thick will> weigh 472 lbs at 20d. – £39..7.. – they cannot however be all wrot. Examined the workings of the Cast Iron – – – – – – – – – – – – 13..0..0 off, as a part of them must be Far Pit. the Coals are working £52..7..0 left to preserve access to the E. rather Small owing to the pressr. The Brass Barrel – – – – – – – – 92..4..2 Walls – now drowned – in case on the Walls. The present Works. Difference – – – – – – – – – £39..17..2 they should be drained at a are all confined to the N.E. corner The working of the pillars to the future opportunity of Heaton – just within the Benton North of the 5 fath Dyke is nearly This Pit is now working off a Liberty. A few of the Benton finish for the present. part of the Pillars in the North old walls have been cut thro’ There are now only 2 Juds of Blucker District – the So. they are crept but not crushed to the N. of the 7 Ft. Hitch, which part is working by the old Pit so that according to all appear-

will finish all that can be got A North rolly-way Heads. is ance they will yield tolerable good in that quarter. Except the Walls now advanced 60 yds. from the top Coals. This is the wish to find these to the E. next Bigges-main of the Roll-bank – towards the Pillars in. Boundary at present. 5 fath. Dyke. It is intended to May 9. Viewed the middle – After these Juds are put a Stone Drift thro’ this old Pits’ Workings. They are Dyke, to cut the whole Coal both working successfully in the formerly left in old Heaton to the East of the misfortune [Bud-44-3]

300 1820 301 1820 302

Pillars; but are working very fast May 9: The N. Headway from the May 16th. Viewed the Far Pit with off in the thick walls. The old Pit top of the Inclined Plane D Pit, has Mr. Geo. Johnson. District to work is now working the last Coal reached the 5 Fa. Dyke to the N. off the Pillars in the Endeavour Way Barrier next the Small Winnings after passing through a good deal as from it’s being ascertained that which must be begun to next. of danty Coal mixed with Branches the E Pit Engine Water finds a pas- As a Creep will in all pro- of Calcareous Spar and Crystals of sage into the Galloping Bd. Way, bability take place very soon after Lead Ore. The Stone Drift must there is no chance of drawing the the working of the thin Walls com- now be pushed on thro’ the Dyke water out of it by the Small mences, another passage should be with all expedition, to open out Engine. We therefore decided as prepared thro’ the Dyke, to the the Coal on the N. Side of it, as above, by which the expence of N. of the inclined Plane, in the the Pillars to the Westward are working the Small Engine will middle Pit W. Drifts. It will working off very rapidly. be saved. A Barrier of 30 yards also be prudent to Stow up the It also seems expedient to be- in thickness of Coal to be left on Cut, thro’ the 10 Ft. Trouble, to pre- gin to rid out the Knab Pit, both against the Galloping Board vent the anticipated Creep from as soon as convenient, to ensure Waste, and old Heaton Waste passing from the Small Winns. the Ventilation of the N.W. works. Examined the Workings in and injuring the Communication in the event of a Creep closing Benton old Pillars. They are very from the middle Pit, to the the communication from the old close crept, and the bottom part Northward. Pit – on the rise side of the Dyke of the Seam is much crushed; but the upper part of it, espe- cially where there is a post [roof] [Bud-44-3]

1820 303. 1820. 304 1820 305. is very good. The ridding out of On consulting with Mr. Potts & ordered the walls to be holed the Knab Pit, to commence as G. Johnson, we agreed to acceded to at a short Pillar, and the soon as the Shifters can be spared Sr. Ms. Terms. Boards beyond it to be turned

to it. Two of the new Brass working with large Winnings viz. 5 Bd. The Feeders of Water at the Barrels cast by Mr. R. Watson and 12 Walls. By this means middle Pit are now very Small for the middle Pit, have proved I hope the Barrier may be the new Brass Barrels ought there- had in the boring, and there is gotten tolerably clean off; but fore to be put in as soon as pos- but too much reason to apprehend I apprehend a Creep very soon sible. that the other two will do the after the working of the thin May 27th. Have recd. a communicatn. same. This is an unfortunate walls commences from Sr. M.W. Ridley through Mr. affair, as it will put off a great The Stowing up of the Cut J. Watson – he will not take less deal of time, during the best part between this part of the Works. than 6/- P. Ten for allowing us to of the Season. and the present workings from lay the new Line of Wagg.-way June 6th. Viewed the old and the middle Pit, is in pro- and confines us to keep the present middle Pits. The last Barrier gress. Line from the Pits to join the next the small Winnings in The North Stone Drift thro’ new Line. Demands £20 a Year the old Pit is now in work the rise Dyke in the middle for rent of the Houses erected un- It is about 40 yards thick Pit is in great forwardness der the present Lease, and will the 10 yard Winnings are car- not grant Way-leave from Benton rying up from the E. Side into ‘till the present Pits cease to work it. This is not the best mode of proceeding, I therefore [Bud-44-3]

1820 306. 1820 307 1820 308. it had passed thro’ the met[al] the Thill of the main Coal apparently in consequence of all the Pillars in Coal, and a great deal of June 26th. Begun to work the Pillars the west way being wrot. off. troubled Stone, mostly dipping in the Endeavour way E Pit. Augt. 3. The old Pit Started double rapidly to the North, and July 3d. Begun an opencast and Drift Shift, in consequence of the middle according to appearances it is to drain the top of the Knab Pit pre- Pit being laid in. likely to cut the main Coal viously to commencing the ridding out Augt. 11th. Begun to make the 3d. Pit very soon of the Pit. ready for Coal work. All the Brass Barrels July 28th. Having drained the top of Augt. 14th. Examined the workings of the cast by Mr. Robert Watson the Knab Pit, begun to rid out the Old Pit, which is now working the have turned out wasters in Shaft. Have ridded out the old off- thin walls, above the Dyke – all the the boring – not one of take Drift 20 yards up from the Burn thick walls and Barriers being wrot. them being fit for use. but left off again, not thinking the off. So far the working of these June 20th. Through the Workings of benifit to be obtained from opening it thin walls has gone on very well. the old and middle Pits, found all out worth the expence of doing it. Examined the N. Stone Drift things going on very well, but the Having agreed with Sr. Mw. Ridey’s through the Trouble in the middle W. Pillars of the middle Pit will very Agents on the Line of the new wagg: Pit. It is still in confused Strata

Soon be finished. Mr. Watson has way. Let the laying of the way to and has not yet proved anything got a Brass Chamber finished which Forster at 8d. P. yard. satisfacory will answer very well. The N. Stone They prepared the Ground lay the way Augt. 21st. Begun to make prepara- Drift middle Pit, is now going in and make Foot-gangs and Gutters; but tions for drawing the Pumps, to where Cuts or Brattices exceed 1 foot put in the new Brass Barrels at in height, they are to be paid 6d. P. the middle Pit. Cubic yard for the same. This bar- The Forsters are making great gain was let on the 12th. July. progress with the new Wagg: way Augt. 2. The middle Pit was laid off It will be a very easy line [Bud-44-3]

1820 309 1820 310 1820 311. Augt. 29th. Down the old Pit had however hitherto gone on Sep: 11th. Sufficient Standage being with Mr. Geo: Johnson. The workg. very badly. The Shaft is so much made, by working off the Juds in of the thin Pillars is going on very run at the top, and the quick- Endeavour District, Far Pit, Laid favourably, as yet there is no ap- Sand is so troublesome, that the off the small pumping Engine. pearance of a Creep. work has but gone on slowly Sep: 13th. After much difficulty Examined the exploring Drift On Sa. last the Pit was nearly got the Stone-head in the Knab through N. Trouble in the middle lost by the Timber giving way on Pit, at the depth of 17 Fathoms. Pit. It still continues in a very one side, owing to the running The Stone is very Soft, and the irregular state amongst sundry of the Sand. It was however Pit still runs very much in small Troubles; but it must be got secured, and the Stone-head the So. E. quarter. within less than 20 yards of was found by boring at 5 feet, Sep: 8th. Started the middle Pit holing into the down-Set Board making the full depth from the Engine, after having put in the The great quantity of Styth which Surface to the Stone-head about 4 Brass working Barrels. is coming off from the old Waste 15 Fathoms. Sep: 16th. Still continue to have in the front of Heaton Hall The Knab Pit is stated in the very great difficulty with the Knab renders the working of this Drift old accounts to be 45 Fa. deep con- Pit, as the So. E. quarter runs very difficult. The general Air- sequently, there will only be 30 Fa. very much within the Stone. course is so much mixed with to rid out from the Stone-head. Sep: 19th. Viewed the Far Pit. Styth, that Candles will not Have got all the Pumps out The Workings at present are all burn in it. This cannot be of the middle Pit, and will begin confined to 4 E. and 4 W. Bds. remedied until the Knab Pit to reset them this afternoon. All in the large Barrier in Benton is opened out. the Sets except the low Set, have The opening out of this Pit been out, and will have new Brass Barrels put in. [Bud-44-3]

1820 312 1820 313. 1820 314

So. E. from the 3d. Pit Shaft, and be any certainty as to how long the water out of the down-Set to the Pillars in Endeavour District She may continue. Drift to the North, with a view The Seam is upwards of 7 Ft. As the 3d. Pit has to replace the to get a holing made from thick, and the Coal of remarkable old Pit, the propriety of putting up that Side. good quality in the Benton Barr. a new Machine at the former The middle Pit Engine The working of the Pillars ought to be taken into Consider- goes exceedingly well, since the in Endeavour is also going on ation. The present Machine on Brass Barrels were put in; but very well. The Juds will be got the old Pit, ought to remain there she only goes in the night time off fast enough, to make Stand- to work out the remainder of the at present, to allow the Engine age for the Feeders of Water, Pillars, after the new Engine at wrights time, to repair the mid- hitherto drawn by the Engine Tyne-main shall have drawn dle Set, dry-Spears, in the day Are working about 18 xx. a the water out of the Lawson-main time day out of Benton, and 10 out Waste. This Engine will now be of Endeavour. Have been obliged to stop capable of drawing the whole The old Pit has been very the Drift in the N. Trouble midd. of the Colliery Feeders, if they uneasy upon the thin walls, Pit, as the ventilation, owing can but be got to her. At any during the latter end of the last to the great length of the Brattice rate I think we might lay off Week; but became rather more under such a ragged Cover, can- the Far Pit Engine, except for tranquil yesterday, and this not be made sufficient to carry a day, or two in the week, to morning. There cannot however off the Foulness which is gene- draw water to supply the rated, amongst the Troubles. Boilers, at the different Pits. Have therefore begun to take The new Wagg: way, to [Bud-44-3]

1820 315 1820 316 1820 317

join Kenton way, will all be the Stowed Barrier to the So. of the water which stands in laid this week, after which it and having become tranquil the bottom. Set the Wastemen to will only be ballast. begun to rid some falls at the rid out the Rubbish below – to Sep: 20 the Creep became so head of the inclined Plane, to gain a communication with hot in the old Pit Small winn. make ready for cutting out the the bottom of the Shaft this morng. that the Pit could Walls which the Creep has over- Nov: 6th. Have got a thorough not go to work. run. communication with the Knab Drew the Horses out of the Octr. 24th. Started Coal work at the Pit. the Air presses strongly down Pit and put them down the old Pit again, in 8 Boards in the this Pit Far Pit. large E. W. Barrier – also from Nov: 13th. The pressure of the Air Sep: 21st. Started the Far Pit 3 Jenkins Drifts cutting out the down the Knab Pit has effectually double Shift. Creep. cleared the old Heaton waste of

Sep: 25th. Gibson Started the 3d. Octr. 21 Holed the N. exploring Styth. Pit. Drift thro’ the Trouble in the Nov: 17th. Examined the workings Sep: 27th. The Knab Pit has been middle Pit. of the High Pit, and the 3d. Pit in a very dangerous state Octr. 30th. Holed the narrow Bd. Have holed thro’ the large Barrier but got the bottom of the Timber thro’ the Barrier to the So. East left by the old People to the So. at the Stonehead pretty well of the 3d. Pit; and let off the East of the 3d. Pit Shaft – by the secured to day by placing two water standing on the rise side Rods out of the W. narrow Bd. Cross Buntons below it. of it from the high Pits Workings, and Octr. 4 The Creep in the old Nov: 3d. Got to the bottom of the let the water entirely off from Pit being completely stopped by Knab Pit, but could not proceed to open out the Ingait, on account [Bud-44-3]

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the So. East Workings of the 3d. Pit old Heaton Wastes. Nothing can the middle Pit with Cast Iron This Barrier is very firm & un- succeed better than the working of The present wooden way must injured by the Creep, and will yield those Pillars; but the Coal is not therefore be repaird. a large quantity of very good so good as might be wished. It Have got the travelling En. Coals. The old thin Pillars in contains a great deal of the from Lambton, to fit it up this quarter being completely metal PeaCoak Tail Coal, which is softer for the new Way. ridged on all sides, work very and not of such good quality as Nov: 28th. Are getting very good Coals, the Roof being very the rest of the Seam. well forward, in laying the firm All things going on very W. way to the Far, from the The Creep which has over- well underground but the Wagg: middle Pit with cast Iron run these walls has passed up way from the old to the midd. The old Pit Coals are workg. the bank from So. to North. And Pit, ought to be laid with Cast very Small. the Coal in the So. Side of each Iron immediately – to get the Dec: 12th. Viewed the old Pit wall, or the N. Side of each Bord Coals properly mixed at the which is working entirely in only is crushed a little. The oppo- Walls-end Spout. the crushed Pillars of the site side of the wall is not Nov: 24th. Considering the Small Winnings, to the North at all affected by the Creep. short term which the old Pit of the Straight on W. mothergait Went through to the 3d. Pit may continue in work, it These Pillars are most dread- Are working the Pillars on the will hardly be worth while fully crushed, and in conse- large Winnings, N.W. District to lay the Wagg: way up to quence the Coals are working against Haddricks Mill and exceedingly Small. The expence [Bud-44-3]

1820 321. 1820 322. 1821 323. of cutting Thill, and ridding & Pit Machine – a mo: or 6 Jany. 23d. Viewed the old Pit – the the destruction of timber is so weeks will be required to com- Pillars in the Small Winnings are great, that I scarcely think plete it. very much crushed & are working the value of the Coals will pay The middle Pit Engine very bad Coals. This Pit started the cost of working them. still continues to manage the double Shift after the Holydays on Are getting very well forwd. water – Single Shift. the 8th. Inst. The Far Pit also started with the Rolly-way through at the same time – to bring the the N. Trouble in the middle Coals through from the Benton 3d. Pit. have begun to put Pit’s workings. the Air pump, and Condenser Are in considerable progress with to the middle Pit Machine the Rolly-way Drift through the Dyke Dec: 19th. Are getting very well to the North of the middle Pit. forward with the Cast Iron Decided to put an Inclined Plane W. way from the middle to the through the Dyke – it will be about Far Pit. Decided to attach the 70 yards long. Chain apparatus to the travel- Are busy with the Air Pump & ling Engine, to enable her to Condenser at the middle Pit Machn. take the empty waggons up The laying of the Cast Iron way to the Far Pit to the Far Pit, is in progress. The Engine Wrights are Jany. 9th. Sold off Waggon Horses busy putting an Air Pump by Auction. and Condenser to the middle Feb 13th. Examined the old Pit [Bud-44-3]

1821 324. 1821 325 326. Workings, found the Pillars so Mar. 21 viewed the middle Pit This must be examined into and much crushed, and the Coals so Are busy blowing down Stone & the leakage of the water thro’ small, that I decided to lay off the making preparations for the Rolly- the Sand, stopped if possible. Pit, at the Pay, and to Set on way along the N. Drift beyond the The travelling Engine has been the Far Pit double Shift. head of the Inclined Plane. tried several times on the way The Air Pump and Condenser Are taking off Coal in the Rolly from the Fat Pit, to Kenton way at the middle Pit, are nearly finished way up the W. Mothergait – for and goes very well; but the Feb 16th. Laid off the old Pit, and Stowage, for the Stuff to be Steam cannot be Kept up, so Feb 19th. Set the Far Pit^<on> double Shift taken up, in lowering and adjustng. as to drive the Engine at a The Middle Pit Machine Started the Rolly-way, so as to make the Sufficient Speed. Nothing but with the Air Pump and Condenser way fall about 3/16 In. P. yard. This a large Boiler can remedy this on the 16th. Inst. will enable the Horses to draw 6 inconvenience.

Mar. 7th. Started Coal Work at or 8 Corves at once instead of 4 Mar. 24 Decided to lengthen the the middle Pit – the Inclined Plane – the alteration will cost £80. Boiler of the travelling En: 3 feet not being ready to the North, brot. Observed the top of the Shaft to to put a Single Tube into it the Coals down the Bank by a Corf be in a very indifferent State and to mount the En: on a at a time on the old Single Rollies from a Feeder of water finding Single Frame with 4 wheels to Mar. 17th. Begun to put up the its’ way thro’ the Sand. It be connected by an endless Chain Inclined Plane Mache. at the N. seems to come from the En. Mar. 27 Are endeavouring to Dyke middle Pit. Pond, and the Slab of the prevent the water from the Pond Mar. 19th. Finished the above Cold Water Pump of the Engine from communicating with the top Machine. [Bud-44-3]

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of the middle Pit Shaft – thro’ are therefore wrot. off as fast as up as soon as they hole into the the Quick Sand they are won out. The Heads. Waste, unless some effectual plan Ap. 4 The Rolly way along the should have been in a dozen, or 16 of drainage is adopted. Drift N. from the top of the winnings in advance by rights. The most effectual Plan will be Plane in midd: Pit in great The exploring Drift to the So. W. to bring up a Stone Drift from forwardness in Heaton banks is now 60 yds. the tail of the Engine Level, in the Begun Coal work in into a Supposed Barrier – the Coal old W. Mothergait. But it will be the above District N. from the is quite dry and firm. an expensive job, as nearly 300 new Plane. The levelling of the Rolly-way Yards of Drift will be required Ap. 10th. Have got the travelling in the W. Mgt. is in great pro- Desired Th. Smith to look into the Engine dismantled preparatory to gress, it will be a good job old workings &c. to see howfar this the proposed alterations when finished. It will enable the Plan is practicable, and to take a May 1st. Viewed the Middle Pit Horses to draw 8 Corves at a Levelling between the Points where have got 6 Boards won out to time. the projected Drift should begin and the North from the new Inclined May 30th. Down the middle Pit end. Plane. The Coal is very good with Mr. G. Johnson. The N. wing. Have holed into the waste thro’ but the Seam is dipping rapidly Heads. from the new Inclined Plane the W. Barrier in Heaton Banks – to the N. are dipping Still, and have got to the So. W. of the old Engines This Tongue of Coal can- a considerable increase of water The Barrier is yds. thick – the not be wrot. to advantage, as 4 Lads are now constantly employed Water is running very Strong from there is no other place ready to in leading it. It is quite clear two Holes. The Engine is going employ the Men in. The Places that these places must be drowned 11 Strokes a Min. with 3 Boilers [Bud-44-3]

330. 331. 332. in consequence of this increase of top of the Inclined Plane at the will yield 800 acres of Ship Coals water So. end of the N. winng. Heads. be- an acre – – – – – – – – – 25600 Ch. Discussed the State and prospects tween the Trouble in Heaton Banks 6 acres of Pillars, large of old Benton works. &c. with Mr. It will require about 150 yds. Winnings in the So. W. Johnson. The Sucking of the new of Stone Drift from the tail of angle of Benton. Seam Pit, so long projected, ought not to the En: level to the top of the 6 feet thick will yield be delayed longer, than next Spring Incline, and about 280 yds. More of Ship Coals – – 7200 Ch. at any rate. This Subject to be along the Line of the N. Heads. 28 Acres of Pillars further discussed at a future oppor- to loose the N. Waste on the Small Winnings in tunity. dip side of the 15 Fa. Dyke do. Will yield of May 7th. the travelling Engine in Heaton Banks Ship Coals – – – 28000 35200 Started to lead the Coals from Before the expediency of drivg. Total Quantity – – – – 60,000 the far and middle Pits, to this Drift can be finally decided Note the above is exclusive of the Kenton way near Carville it will be right to have this the Pillars in the So. W. part of Gate. Levelling gone over again. Heaton Banks from which the water May 14th. Mr. Geo. Johnson We measured the quantity of is now running, and also of the with me consulted on the State Coal, at present available, and Whole Coal and Pillars, not yet and affairs of the Colliery. It found it to be as follows viz. explored to the N. and East of Seems by a levelling made by Th. In the Middle Pit the above. It is also exclusive Smith that there is about 14 Fa. 32 Acres of Pillars in Heaton of the great Body of the Pillars of rise between the tail of the F. In. middle Pit Engine Level, and the Banks, the Seams 5 .. 10 thick [Bud-44-3]

333 334. 1821 325.[335] in Benton, which are yet unexplored and requires 10 Men to keep the freely about the old workings from We also discussed various methods water. The water being seen off * the Knab Pit. without being forced of obtaining the great bulk of the out of the So. W. part of Heaton Augt. 1st. Finished the rolly-way In- Benton Pillars, yet unexplored; and Banks, every exertion is making cline, into Heaton Banks agreed that a new Pit, in a to get the rolly-way laid into Augt. 3d. Laid off the Pump in the Situation afterwards to be agreed that quarter – to get ready for D Pit N. Heads. – the Heads. having upon will be the most eligible working the pillars. After which been Stopped 20th. July. The Pump Plan. But this Subject will the N. winning Heads. must be to be shifted out about half way, when require much consideration, and laid off ‘till the Stone-drift from it may be wrot. by 8 men – to keep ought not to be delayed later the Engine Level can be carried the 4 innermost W. boards at work than the ensuing Spring. up. Augt. 5th. Begun to work the barrier June 14th. The Feeders of water July 24th. The Feeder of water in the to the So. W. in Heaton Banks – every

are increasing so rapidly in middle Pit N. Heads. continues the other board is set on – the old win- the Middlepit N. winning same. Are making every excertion nings are about 8 yds. consequently headways, that a force pump to get the rolly-way into Heaton by leaving every other board, a 12 yd. must be got without delay. Banks completed. wall is left between the new Boards July 17th. Examined the middle Holed thro’ the So. W. barrier with^<in> in the Barrier. Pit workings. The Force-pump Heaton Banks, with the Picks, on Begun to Sink a Staple on the has been at work in the North the 6th. Inst. The boards in the N. Side of the Dyke (Middle Pit) winng. Headways for some time waste are upstanding for about a for the En. Level drift. It is let pillar from the Face and are then to W. Gardiner & Prs. at 50/- a fath. close crept and thrust. The Air went The Jenkin for gaining access to the * Ran off 30th. June out-by end of the intended Stone [Bud-44-3]

326.[336] 1821 327.[337] 1821 328.[338] Drift is in great progress and Prs. at 40/- a Yard – the part of the old Pillars next Augt. 7. Viewed the middle Pit. the Bargain to last as long as the Gosforth Boundary; to succeed places in the So. W. Barrier, Heaton Post continues in the Drift. the District now finishing. Banks are looking very well. As far The drift to be driven 6 Ft. Square The Rolly-way into that as can be seen into the old Waste and to rise 3/8

th. In. P. yard. The quarter to be got ready without as thin walls are very much crushed distance between the Staple and delay. The Barrier next and so much rusted, that the Coals the insetting of the Drift 199 yds. Gosforth, to be thinned to do not Seem to be at all fit for Sep. 18th. &19th. Repaired the Brasses 11 Yards or so The So. W. Sea-Sale. 2y. Whether one of the and outside Y Pin of the middle District of large walls to be old Pits in this quarter might not Pit Engine The Engine can keep left in reserve whilst the be opened out for a Land-Sale the water at present going Single old Pillars to the North are The innermost N.W. Narrow Bd. Shift – 10 Hours a day. being wrought. out of the Pump N. Heads. has got Sep. 21st. Gardner’s Staple was Nothing particular in the W. Dyke at Yards up from Fa feet the middle Pit – the So. W. the Headways. finished – depth 12 .. 5 which waste in Heaton Banks, lately Sep. 4th. Set a Gin on Gardner’s allows for the rise of the Drift holed into, seems to be com- Staple and 12 In. to Spare pletely exhausted of Coal, as Sep. 19th. Started the water-level Sep. 25th. Viewed the Far Pit there is nothing to be seen, but Stone-drift, at the tail of the with Mr. Geo. Johnson. The N.W. very thin walls, or Stooks which middle Pit Engine Level – to go to District of Pillars, in the 3d. Pit are crushed in pieces xx. Gardner’s Staple. There is 13½ Fath. Benton – next Heaton Banks is Daily working in Far Pit – 40 Level from the Staple, to where nearly finished. We therefore Middle – – 30 the Drift is set away. the decided to prepare the North 70 Drift is let to John Richardson

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1821 329[339] 330.[340] 1821 331[341] The outbie end of the Heaton Banks Walls may have been wrot. there an alarm, that the people gave Stone Drift, commenced 19th. Sep. formerly. over work. No injury what- Octr. 11th. Begun to Stow the Barrier Sinking of Gardener’s Staple on the ever was done. projected on the 25th. Ulto. in the N. Side of the Dyke, Heaton Banks Nov. 12th. The Pannel of Pillars 3d. Pit Long Benton. It is let to – from the Thill of the Main Coal. to the W. of the 3d. Pit Shaft Jos. Scott & Prs. for 9/- a yard – Fa.feet In. being nearly wrought off. Be- – both Boards and walls. the Bottom Coal – – – – – – – 0.. 1 .. 2 gun to work the N.W. Bar- Bargain to be for 86 yards. Thill – – – – – – – – – – – 0.. 4 .. 0 rier in Long Benton, next Gos- Octr. 16th. Viewed the middle Pit. Coal – – – – – – – – – – – 0.. 0 .. 4 forth Boundary – under the The tail end of the Heaton Banks White Metal Stone – – – 0.. 3 .. 0 ouse-burn. This is the part Drift is 23 yards in this morning Grey Metal Stone with of the Barrier where the Drift and the two drifts from the bot- Iron Stone Girdles – – 3.. 0 ..10 was anciently driven thro’ from tom of the Staple are each about Coal – – – – – – – 0..5 Benton into Gosforth, and a 7 Yards in. Stone Metal Coal 1..6 Frame Dam afterwards put All things going on very well Coal – – – – – – – 2..3 0.. 4 .. 2 into it. in the S.W. way Heaton Banks Blue Metal with Whin Gds. 3.. 5 .. 6 Nov. 13th. Viewed the Far Pit There are 5 Boards going in the Grey Post – – – – – – – – 0.. 1 .. 6 workings in the above Barrier So. W. Barrier Blue Metal wth. Whin Gds. 3.. 0 .. 6 The Seam in the N. part ofth The Walls in the So. Headways’ Whin – – – – – – – – – – – 0.. 2 .. 0 is Barrier, is only 3..8 to Jenkin out of the W. mothergate 12.. 5 .. 0 F. In. are very good; but a Goaf has Octr. 29th. Holed into an old 3..10 thick. The Coal is very been met with in the 12 Wall which Boards in the W. Barrier Heaton Strong and works round; but rather makes it doubtful that the Banks, which was full of water The water rushed off sud- denly, and caused so great [Bud-44-3]

332.[342] 333[343] 334.[344] seems coarse. The roof is Engine is in such a bad State in the middle Pit, at present excellent being a Strong white of repair, as hardly to be ca- Two of the latter are employed Post, and is very favourable for pable of supplying the Boilers in the Gin at the Heaton banks working the Pillars. of the Machines and Engines Stone-drift Staple. The workings are at present with fresh water This Stone-drift is going on well ventilated. The Foul The Beam, Cylinder &c. are very well – it is 20 yds. in waste of the Lane Pit is in too bad a State to admit each way from the bottom

separated from the workings of being repaired; and as this of the Staple. And the inset of the 3d. Pit, at “the Engine Engine is not required for draw- at the out-bie end having Pit Trouble”. All the waste on ing the Colliery Feeders. The fallen in with the Coal at the W. Side of this Trouble is best plan would be, to put an upcast Trouble, in which ventilated by the 3d. Pit Fur- up a Small pumping Engine it has gone 20 yards – that nace, which draws the Air to lift the fresh water, by end of the Drift is now down the Far Pit, fore a 5 In. Pump, from the 40 Yards in. Shaft. The Waste on the wedging in the Shaft – these Nov. 17th. Thos. Thompson Put- East Side of this Trouble, is pumps would have to be fixed ter Killed in the Far Pit, by ventilated by the Lane Pit in the low Set Cistern – 52 the Jud falling upon him. He which draws the Air down Fathoms from the Surface was hewing at the time. the Engine Shaft of the Far There are 22 Horses and 3 Nov. 20th. Begun to draw Pit. Galloways in the Far Pit, and Coals at Night at the The Far Pit pumping 14 Horses, and 3 Galloways middle [Bud-44-3]

1821 335[345] 336.[346] 1821 337.[347] middle Pit, to help the quantity not more than about a Pill. at present. Got about 8 Scores each Night and an half to go ‘till they The Coals work very large from the old So. W. Pillars – hole into the old Thrust. They out of the barrier in Heatn. below the Dyke. will only last about 5 weeks Banks, but they seem rather Dec 6th. Begun to cut out after which the working of coarse. the old Pillars, out of the Drift the Pillars must commence The Roof in this part of communication, to the So. of Are working about 40 xx. seems to be a mild Post the middle Pit, west Mothergt. a day at this pit, including very favourable for working the Dec: 11th. Viewed the middle the Night Coals; but as broken. The most unfavourable Pit. the old Pillars to the the Trade is now falling circumstance attending this So. of the W. mothergait are Slack, the working at nights part is the great descent of nearly finished. Are making may be discontinued. the Rolly-way. It is so progress in opening out the The Heaton-banks Stone great, that a Horse can only old Pillars, to the So. E. of Drift, is now 60 yards in bring our 4 Corves even with the Drift of communication. from the tail, or So. end – one pair of wheels dragged. Are still working in the 36 yds. So.over from the Stap: Indeed if he could take out S.W. Barrier, in Heaton Banks and 34 yards N. over from more he would not be able to where 7 whole Boards are ditto draw the empty Rollies back going. These Boards have Have 15 Horses and 4 again. Galloways down this Pit [Bud-44-3]

1821 338.[348] 1821 339[349] 1821 340.[350] The Colliery Feeders were never way to St. Anthony’s is now less than at present, the taken up, and the Ground will [Blank Page] middle Pit Engine draws the be restored in the Spring. whole, going 10 hours a Day The Staith at St.. Anthony’s at the rate of 7 Strokes a Quay has also been taken down Minute and the Timber converted. The Water is now about 10 Dec: 31st. Having Sold my Feet up the old Pit Shaft interest in the Colliery to Mr. It will not reach the middle Potts, I this day quitted Pit Standage ‘till it is 14 Ft. the Concern above the Scaffold – it rises Jno. Buddle very slowly. The middle Engine draws the whole of the Colly. Feeders at present, except what is drawn by the Far Pit En. to supply the Boilers. The whole of the Waggon way [Bud-44-3]