Tribute To The Proud Coal Miners Of Wearmouth Colliery.

Subscribe to my you tube channel for 220+ more coal mine tributes and counting. It was the largest mine in Sunderland and one of the most important in Durham{till 1974} then Tyne and Wear in northeast England. First opened in 1835 and in spite of the many accidents at the pit, the mine was the last to remain operating in the County Durham Coalfield.The sinking of Monkwearmouth Colliery, on the north bank of the Wear, about half a mile from the Iron Bridge, began in May, 1826. Initially it was known as Pemberton Main, after one of its promoters. Sinking of the pit was a financial risk given the magnesian limestone which formed the surface beds at Wearmouth - at the time it was believed by may that coal wouldn't be found beneath magnesian limestone."Great rejoicings took place at Monkwearmouth, in consequence of a seam of coal, 2 feet 10 inches thick, and of excellent quality, having been won at the new colliery at that place. The shaft of the pit was 180 fathoms deep, and had been seven years in sinking, at an immense cost to the proprietors, Messrs. Pemberton and Thompson.""The miners employed at the Monkwearmouth colliery penetrated through the main seam of coal, which is six feet nine inches in depth, and 264 fathoms from the surface." 15th February 1834."After several years labour the owners of Monkwearmouth colliery, (Messrs. Thompson, Pemberton, and Co.), succeeded in loading the first vessel placed under their improved staith, with a cargo of coals. The workmen on the occasion were profusely regaled with strong ale, and great rejoicing took place throughout the whole of the day." 13th June 1835."The rope of the shaft at Monkwearmouth colliery, 264 fathoms in length, suddenly broke near the top, and fell upon five boys at the bottom, killing three of them upon the spot. The names of the sufferers were Robert Gray, aged 15; Francis Burrell, 12; and George Gilroy, 10 years." 18th April 1837.Nationalisation of the coal industry took effect on the 1st January 1947, enacting the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act of 1946. The National Coal Board (NCB) took over the operation of 958 collieries, which at that time employed nearly 800,000 workers (4% of Britain's total workforce). Many of the privately-owned collieries had been deemed small and inefficient, with about half were judged to be in need of immediate attention.The pit was still a mainstay of Wearside employment in the 1950s and a new tower winder was added.
By 1957, the National Coal Board was making changes and new overhead winding gear was brought in. There were bright days when production records were set. There were one million tonnes of coal lifted at Wearmouth in 1987.The 10th of December 1993 saw the last shift at Wearmouth Colliery in Sunderland, before its closure. When it began producing coal in 1835, it was the deepest mine in the world (1578 ft). Wearmouth was the last deep coal mine of the County Durham coalfield to close, with the loss of about 2,000 jobs.

[@DaveyPalmer1]

I see a few of my photos of myself are in the vid (1:55 & 2:35 mins) and I was also one of the lads holding the lighting rigs on some of the other photos too such as the one at 2:14. Brill video 👍

[@philosopher2310]

My Granda worked at Wearmouth for about 40 years.

[@robertarthur2482]

Great vidio, enjoyed watching.

[@michaelszepeta6200]

Thank you 👍

[@StanFowler-g5y]

I was the Black Sheep of the family. All my immediate, extended family and ancestors worked at Wearmouth.

[@markrainford1219]

You were the lucky sod.

[@bernadettegibson6948]

This absolutely moved me to tears.. brave, brave men to have gone down that shaft day in, day out... I salute you all.
My Great Grandfather, Robert Spence Kirton worked in that mine until he went to fight in WW1. He didn't return. His name is on the remembrance plaque in Thompson Road Cricket Ground

[@tonygrant4607]

No wokes in the pit, perhaps this woke Tory party, dislikes real men

[@paulrichards2350]

Another good video Mick👍🏻 any chance of a Shirebrook one.

[@douthwaitedavid]

Great video

[@michaelszepeta6200]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davopen]

the pic at 1:00 minute is of 1975 mechanical fitting apprentices at wearside tech (im front right)

[@nononsense3528]

Best job I ever had 🥹

[@paulrichards2350]

Me as well mate👍🏻

[@peterlax3748]

My grandfather Harry Richardson worked here from age 14 right up to when he retired at 65.Lived at the top of Hood St which used to be opposite the pit.