Murton Colliery (1843-1991)

The sinking of Murton Colliery began on the 19th of February 1838. After encountering significant problems with quicksand, the colliery was eventually 'won' and opened in April 1843. It was owned by the South Hetton Coal Co. In 1925 there were 3,636 employed at the colliery (2,799 working below ground, and 837 working on the surface).[1] On the 26th of June 1942 an explosion of firedamp resulted in the deaths of 15 miners at the colliery.[2] Murton Colliery closed on the 29th of November 1991.

Murton Colliery was commenced in 1838, and after tremendous difficulties, was sunk to the Hutton seam, a depth of 246 fathoms. The other workable seams won in sinking were the Five Quarter seam, 178, Main coal, 204, and Low Main, 226 fathoms. There are three shafts, two of which are sub-divided, and used for drawing coals and men ; the third, or West pit, is used as an upcast shaft for ventilating purposes. The ventilating arrangements are on a most extensive scale, a volume of not less than 460,000 cubic feet of air per minute being made to circulate through the workings, which is supposed to be the largest quantity passing the workings of any single colliery. Electricity and gas are used for lighting. The daily output is over 3000 tons, and includes steam, gas, household coal, etc., in the production of which, including the coke-works, nearly 2000 men and boys are employed. The coals from this colliery are shipped principally at Seaham Harbour and Sunderland, the company having a private line of their own to the former port.....

William Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham