Whitburn Colliery: Difference between revisions
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In 1877, a new shaft was developed using the [[Kind-Chaudron process]], its first deployment in the UK coal industry. The section through the water-fishered strata is lined with iron tubing, although throughout its life the electric pumps were required to extract {{convert|12000|impgal}} per day. Both shafts had a diameter of {{convert|13|ft}}, with No.1 shaft having a depth of {{convert|180|fathom}}, and No.2 with a depth of {{convert|115|fathom}}, to enable access to the Bensham seam, with thicknesses between {{convert|4|ft}} to {{convert|6|ft|6|in}}. |
In 1877, a new shaft was developed using the [[Kind-Chaudron process]], its first deployment in the UK coal industry. The section through the water-fishered strata is lined with iron tubing, although throughout its life the electric pumps were required to extract {{convert|12000|impgal}} per day. Both shafts had a diameter of {{convert|13|ft}}, with No.1 shaft having a depth of {{convert|180|fathom}}, and No.2 with a depth of {{convert|115|fathom}}, to enable access to the Bensham seam, with thicknesses between {{convert|4|ft}} to {{convert|6|ft|6|in}}. |
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==Operation== |
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The company built the twin-track [[South Shields, Marsden, and Whitburn Colliery Railway]], leaving the line at {{stnlnk|Westoe Lane}}, [[South Shields]] and travelling to [[Marsden, County Durham|Marsden]] via two intermediate stations.<ref>http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/m/marsden/index.shtml</ref> Built to serve the colliery and opened in May 1879, the line served the Lighthouse limestone quarry, a paper manufactory, and local farms. On the line 19 March 1888 when the line opened to the public. |
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The line became the first nationalised passenger line on 1 January 1947<ref>http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/m/marsden/index.shtml</ref>. Passenger service was officially withdrawn on 14 November 1953, but trains remained running until 23 November. The majority of the line closed to freight with the [[Whitburn Colliery]] on 8 June 1968 although the section running through {{stnlnk|Westoe Lane}} to [[Westoe Colliery]] remained open until 1993. |
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Connected to the XX railway, the output quickly rose to {{convert|1500|tonne}}, employing 1,600 workers. |
Connected to the XX railway, the output quickly rose to {{convert|1500|tonne}}, employing 1,600 workers. |
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Revision as of 18:35, 18 June 2012
Whitburn Colliery was a coal mine located in South Shields, North East England, located on the North Sea coast.
Development
The site was originally developed by the Whitburn Coal Company. On 14 July 1874, the company began sinking the Whitburn winnings, a bore-hole put down below the Brockwell Seam. However, the company failed to find any coal, and was faced with large amounts of water ingress from the North Sea.
In 1877, a new shaft was developed using the Kind-Chaudron process, its first deployment in the UK coal industry. The section through the water-fishered strata is lined with iron tubing, although throughout its life the electric pumps were required to extract 12,000 imperial gallons (55,000 L; 14,000 US gal) per day. Both shafts had a diameter of 13 feet (4.0 m), with No.1 shaft having a depth of 180 fathoms (1,080 ft; 330 m), and No.2 with a depth of 115 fathoms (690 ft; 210 m), to enable access to the Bensham seam, with thicknesses between 4 feet (1.2 m) to 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m).
Operation
The company built the twin-track South Shields, Marsden, and Whitburn Colliery Railway, leaving the line at Westoe Lane, South Shields and travelling to Marsden via two intermediate stations.[1] Built to serve the colliery and opened in May 1879, the line served the Lighthouse limestone quarry, a paper manufactory, and local farms. On the line 19 March 1888 when the line opened to the public.
The line became the first nationalised passenger line on 1 January 1947[2]. Passenger service was officially withdrawn on 14 November 1953, but trains remained running until 23 November. The majority of the line closed to freight with the Whitburn Colliery on 8 June 1968 although the section running through Westoe Lane to Westoe Colliery remained open until 1993.
Connected to the XX railway, the output quickly rose to 1,500 tonnes (1,700 tons), employing 1,600 workers.
1934, 16 May - Five Quarter seam abandoned
Input
Marsden is a suburb in South Shields, North East England, located on the North Sea coast.
The original village of Marsden, was demolished in the 1960s due to the risk of erosion from the encroaching shoreline. What remains are five rows of Victorian terraced houses, which were originally built to house miners working in Whitburn Colliery. There is also a small chapel and a primary school, although this is technically located in Whitburn.
Coal from the colliery fueled the lime kilns which closed at the same time as the mines.
The nearby Marsden Bay includes the Marsden Rock sea stack. The Leas, located to the north, is an important seabird sanctuary. This land, along with Souter Lighthouse (the first lighthouse in the world to be powered by alternating current), is now owned by the National Trust.
The village also gave its name to the Marsden Rattler, a railway which joined Whitburn Colliery to the main line in South Shields.
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Site of the old village -
Marsden lime kilns -
Marsden Rock from the clifftop -
Marsden Bay with its North Sea weathered rock formations
References
External links
