Stockton Mining Disaster of 1896
![Stockton Colliery Mine Disaster Memorial Gates Stockton [n.d.]. From the Bert Lovett/Norm Barney collection, University of Newcastle, Cultural Collections.](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8227629737_0668b612aa_o.jpg)
Stockton Colliery Mine Disaster Memorial Gates Stockton [n.d.]. From the Bert Lovett/Norm Barney collection, University of Newcastle, Cultural Collections.
![Funeral procession for victims of the Stockton Colliery disaster, Scott and Market Streets Newcastle, [6 December 1896]. From the Bert Lovett/Norm Barney collection, University of Newcastle, Cultural Collections](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5150/5639642692_584f353748_o.jpg)
Funeral procession for victims of the Stockton Colliery disaster, Scott and Market Streets Newcastle, [6 December 1896]. From the Bert Lovett/Norm Barney collection, University of Newcastle, Cultural Collections.
APPALLING MINE DISASTER AT NEWCASTLE.
MEN OVERCOME BY FOUL AIR.
In the Stockton Mining Disaster of 1896, nine men died from gas inhalation while trying to determine the cause of a gas leak that killed two men a few days earlier. It was discovered that spontaneous combustion caused a fire that produced the gasses that killed these men.
The death of the rescuers highlighted the need for special breathing equipment for rescue operations.
"Hardly had the grave closed upon the two men, Curran and Smith, who were suffocated in the Stockton Coal Pit, Newcastle, when another appalling catastrophe took place in the same mine... a number of men went into the mine to ascertain the cause of the escape of gas which resulted in the previous fatalities.
Mr. Cockburn, a colliery surveyor, was in charge of the party, and at the present time it is difficult to conceive why they selected the old workings, known to be so dangerous. However that may be, the fact remains that the party went down, and most of them were destined never to return alive."
Death toll: 11
Cause: Gas leak
Resources:
"SERIOUS MINING DISASTER AT NEWCASTLE." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 24 Jun 1889: 5. Web. 11 Jun 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6257178>.
"THE NEWCASTLE COLLIERY DISASTER." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 27 Jul 1889: 9. Web. 11 Jun 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6265914>.
