Quote:
Originally Posted by Coquet
Possibly the intermittent nature of the colliery's operation due to the start of the war had resulted in some inadequate maintenance and inspection?
Perhaps indirectly one of our first casualties of the war was Samuel Ainsley.
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The deaths of Ainsley and Hume seems to have presented an opportunity for the colliery owners, Newcastle Journal, 19 October 1914:
"On Saturday, a meeting of the workmen at the Newburgh Colliery was held to consider the position which had arisen owing to the men having received notice that the pit was to be closed down. Mr Alex Wallace presided.
Mr C Harmer explained that owing to the recent accident at the pit, by which two men had lost their lives, the Home Office had intimated that in the future locked safety lamps must be used, and no more gunpowder utilised. The various regulations would have the effect of adding 6d per ton to the cost of coal production, and this, considering the fact that the colliery paid no dividend, had caused the directors to decide to close down the pit.
It was decided to ask the Northumberland Miners' Association to send agents down to advise the men in the matter."