East Pit (Coal). Shown on Oliver's Plan of 1840. Marked as an Old Shaft on the 2nd edition OS mapping. Walker Colliery opened before 1765 and closed in 1920. Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co and then Walker Coal Company Ltd.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
East Pit (Coal). Shown on Oliver's Plan of 1840. Marked as an Old Shaft on the 2nd edition OS mapping. Walker Colliery opened before 1765 and closed in 1920. Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co and then Walker Coal Company Ltd.
Site Name
Walker Colliery, East Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4215
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4215 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; Oliver, Plan of Walker Estate in the County of Northumberland, 1840, D/NCP/19/4
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2015
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
02
DAY2
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
428910
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
11
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
565190
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Walker
Description
Delight Pit. Date of first working uncertain but a report book contains a document from 1824 containing queries by Matthias Dun regarding the best methods of working Charlotte, Delight and Engine Pits, Walker Colliery. The pit was in decline by 1912 the OS plan shows that the pithead and ancillary buildings were no longer present. Site now occupied by St Albans School.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Delight Pit. Date of first working uncertain but a report book contains a document from 1824 containing queries by Matthias Dun regarding the best methods of working Charlotte, Delight and Engine Pits, Walker Colliery. The pit was in decline by 1912 the OS plan shows that the pithead and ancillary buildings were no longer present. Site now occupied by St Albans School.
Site Name
Delight Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4214
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4214 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2008, Sir Charles Parsons School, Westbourne Avenue, Walker - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2015
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
02
District
Newcastle
Easting
428460
EASTING2
2904
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
565360
NORTHING2
6463
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Walker
Description
The line of a possible old wagonway is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
The line of a possible old wagonway, shown on the 1st edition OS mapping.
Site Name
Walker, Wagonway ?
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4213
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4213 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
DAY2
14
District
Newcastle
Easting
428890
EASTING2
2775
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
1
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
565150
NORTHING2
6485
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Walker
Description
This ENE-WSW running line, probably a Grand Allies route from Lawson’s Main Colliery, is marked as an ‘old wagonway’ on the first edition 25” Ordnance Survey. It is shown running from east of Lawson’s Main Pit towards the River Tyne in Walker. The indicated line is only partial; it is not known if it continued on the same alignment to the river - which would have taken it to the staiths used by Fair Pit from 1753 - if it dipped to the south towards Wincomblee staiths which were in use by 1766, or whether it ran to an entirely different set of staiths somewhere in Walker.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
This ENE-WSW running line, probably a Grand Allies route from Lawson’s Main Colliery, is marked as an ‘old wagonway’ on the first edition 25” Ordnance Survey. It is shown running from east of Lawson’s Main Pit towards the River Tyne in Walker. The indicated line is only partial; it is not known if it continued on the same alignment to the river - which would have taken it to the staiths used by Fair Pit from 1753 - if it dipped to the south towards Wincomblee staiths which were in use by 1766, or whether it ran to an entirely different set of staiths somewhere in Walker.
Site Name
Lawson's Main Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4212
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4212 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Alan Williams Archaeology, 2012, Waggonways North of the River Tyne: Tyne and Wear HER Enhancement Project 2011-12
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2013
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
DAY2
15
District
Newcastle
Easting
429270
EASTING2
2948
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
1
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
565710
NORTHING2
6480
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Walker
Description
This Wagonway is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, indicating that it had been abandoned by 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
A Wagonway, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858.
Site Name
Walker Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4211
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4211 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Alan Williams Archaeology, 2012, Waggonways North of the River Tyne: Tyne and Wear HER Enhancement Project 2011-12
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2013
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
DAY2
27
District
Newcastle
Easting
429480
EASTING2
2854
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
2
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
564800
NORTHING2
6542
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Walker
Description
A Wagonway, marked as 'Old' on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858. Excavations by Pre-Construct Archaeology between 2009 and 2011 recorded evidence of this waggonway. It ran from Gosforth Pit (HER 4184) of Walker Colliery to the River Tyne. There was a substantial NW-SE aligned clay trackbed embankment and trackside ditches. No timbers survived. The waggonway crossed the dene of a tributary of the Stott's Burn. The maximum recorded width of the embankment was 6.5m but the full width was not exposed. The embankment had a gentle gradient to ensure the efficient operation of the waggonway. Linear impressions infilled with coal and ash indicated the positions of timbers. The parallel trackside ditches were aligned NW-SE and may have been associated with the earliest phase of the waggonway. They drained the trackway and delineated the wayleave corridor. The north-eastern side of the waggonway was bounded by a U-shaped ditch which was later recut. In part of the site the embankment was overlain by crushed coal and ash deposits which raised the height and widened the embankment. Two sub-rectangular postholes possibly formed a fenceline. Seven upright timber stakes and a stakehole in two rows may represent a timber revetment. A group of postholes including a row in a NNE-SSW alignment may have formed part of a bridge over the trackside ditches. The waggonway embankment and trackside features were overlain by successive colliery waste deppsoits up to 1.2m thick, representing C19 to early C20 levelling. The 1908 OS map shows a road running through the site, along the line of the former waggonway and skirting the Walker Refuse Destructor Building. The road was created by dumping colliery waste over the disused embankment.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
A Wagonway, marked as 'Old' on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858. Excavations by Pre-Construct Archaeology between 2009 and 2011 recorded evidence of this waggonway. It ran from Gosforth Pit (HER 4184) of Walker Colliery to the River Tyne. There was a substantial NW-SE aligned clay trackbed embankment and trackside ditches. No timbers survived. The waggonway crossed the dene of a tributary of the Stott's Burn. The maximum recorded width of the embankment was 6.5m but the full width was not exposed. The embankment had a gentle gradient to ensure the efficient operation of the waggonway. Linear impressions infilled with coal and ash indicated the positions of timbers. The parallel trackside ditches were aligned NW-SE and may have been associated with the earliest phase of the waggonway. They drained the trackway and delineated the wayleave corridor. The north-eastern side of the waggonway was bounded by a U-shaped ditch which was later recut. In part of the site the embankment was overlain by crushed coal and ash deposits which raised the height and widened the embankment. Two sub-rectangular postholes possibly formed a fenceline. Seven upright timber stakes and a stakehole in two rows may represent a timber revetment. A group of postholes including a row in a NNE-SSW alignment may have formed part of a bridge over the trackside ditches. The waggonway embankment and trackside features were overlain by successive colliery waste deposits up to 1.2m thick, representing C19 to early C20 levelling. The 1908 OS map shows a road running through the site, along the line of the former waggonway and skirting the Walker Refuse Destructor Building. The road was created by dumping colliery waste over the disused embankment.
Site Name
Gosforth Pit Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4210
Form of Evidence
Physical Evidence
Sources
1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Jennifer Proctor, 2013, Waggonways and brickworks: insights into the industrial heritage of Walker, Archaeologia Aeliana, Fifth Series, Volume 42, pp 269-304; Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2009, Sir Charles Parsons School, Westbourne Avenue, Walker, Newcastle - Archaeological Evaluation
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
02
District
Newcastle
Easting
429160
EASTING2
2924
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
565030
NORTHING2
6470
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Walker
Description
The possible line of an old wagonway is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
The possible line of an old wagonway shown on the 1st edition OS mapping.
Site Name
Walker, Wagonway ?
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4209
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4209 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Maritime
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
DAY2
10
District
Newcastle
Easting
429810
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
5
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
564840
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Walker
Description
On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of the area a ship building yard is shown immediately to the east of Battle Hill. A furnace lies towards the northern edge of the yard and a crane lies towards the centre, some distance back from the river. A walled inlet lies just beyond the northern edge of the yard and the boat landing for the Hebburn Quay Ferry lies at the southern edge of the yard. A complex of structures on the western edge of the yard is probably mostly residential. On the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map the yard has been subsumed within the Neptune yard. The site lies within the current Swan Hunter Yard, and it would seem unlikely that any early features will have survived.
SITEASS
Lies within the current Swan Hunter Yard. It would seem unlikely that any early features will have survived.
Site Type: Broad
Marine Construction Site
SITEDESC
A Shipbuilding Yard. This was possibly out of use by 1895, as it is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping {1}. being the steamer Chusan, for the P&O Line.
Map Evidence
First Edition Ordnance Survey, Sheet ///
A ship building yard is shown immediately to the east of Battle Hill. A complex of structures on the western edge of the yard is probably mostly residential. A furnace lies towards the northern edge of the yard and a crane lies towards the centre, a distance back from the river. A walled inlet lies just beyond the northern edge of the yard and the boat landing for the Hebburn Quay Ferry lies at the southern edge of the yard.
Second Edition Ordnance Survey, Sheet ///
The yard has been subsumed within the Neptune yard by this time {2}.
Site Name
Coutts' Shipbuilding Yard
Site Type: Specific
Shipyard
HER Number
4208
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4208 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98
The Archaeological Practice, 2002, Shipbuilding on Tyne and Wear - Prehistory to Present. Tyne & Wear Historic Environment Record.
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2002
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4206
DAY1
02
DAY2
29
District
Newcastle
Easting
429210
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
564600
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Walker
Description
Walker Colliery Anne Pit. Walker Colliery opened before 1765. Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co and then Walker Coal Company Ltd. By 1862 (the year of a major disaster at Walker Colliery see HER 4206) the Anne shaft had been closed for several years and had only been opened up about a year before when it had been deepened to reach the Low Main Seam. Closed in 1920.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Walker Colliery Anne Pit. Walker Colliery opened before 1765. Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co and then Walker Coal Company Ltd. By 1862 (the year of a major disaster at Walker Colliery see HER 4206) the Anne shaft had been closed for several years and had only been opened up about a year before when it had been deepened to reach the Low Main Seam. Closed in 1920.
Site Name
Walker Colliery, Anne Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4207
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4207 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; Roy Thompson, 2004, Thunder Underground - Northumberland Mine Disasters 1815-65, p 100
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4203, 4207, 4215, 4200
DAY1
02
DAY2
29
District
Newcastle
Easting
429290
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
564470
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Walker
Description
Walker Colliery B Pit. This is just marked as an Old Shaft on the 2nd edition OS mapping. The first shaft at Walker was West Engine Pit which opened in January 1762 and reached coal at 600 feet. The pit was fitted with winding apparatus driven by 8 horses. A corf of coal could be raised in 2 minutes. In 1769 the horses were partly replaced by steam. This early steam winder was then replaced by a water gin. In 1784 a rotative steam engine was installed. In 1796 a James Watt steam pumping engine was installed to raise water. By 1795 only creep-affected pillars of coal were left in the High Main Seam. By 1811 it was exhausted. The colliery lasted until 1918 working the lower poorer seams. There were four other pits besides the West Engine Pit - Anne Pit (HER 4207), Charlotte Pit (NZ 294 653 - opened in 1801), East Pit (HER 4215) and Jane Pit (HER 4200). Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co (who also ran Bebside Colliery) and then Walker Coal Company Ltd. The colliery viewer was TJ Jobling of Point Pleasant, Wallsend and the resident viewer was WH Cole. Several disasters - on 2 April 1765 an explosion killed 8 miners, another explosion on 18 March 1766 killed 10. A fall of stones on 19 June 1823 killed 6 people. Explosions killed 16 miners on 22 November 1862. The day before the disaster the lower furnace had been dampened down to allow the shaft to be retubbed. This reduced the ventilation. Nevertheless 28 workers went down the pit with 9 horses and 21 ponies to do some blasting work on a geological fault (a 'trouble'). The explosion happened some 4 hours later. The stables were on fire and all horses and ponies were killed. One pony called French was found alive. The inquest was held at the Railway Hotel in Walker. A faulty lamp was blamed. The Mining Journal wrote a full report on the accident. 8 workers were killed on 24 October 1887. Walker Colliery closed in 1920.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Walker Colliery B Pit. This is just marked as an Old Shaft on the 2nd edition OS mapping. The first shaft at Walker was West Engine Pit which opened in January 1762 and reached coal at 600 feet. The pit was fitted with winding apparatus driven by 8 horses. A corf of coal could be raised in 2 minutes. In 1769 the horses were partly replaced by steam. This early steam winder was then replaced by a water gin. In 1784 a rotative steam engine was installed. In 1796 a James Watt steam pumping engine was installed to raise water. By 1795 only creep-affected pillars of coal were left in the High Main Seam. By 1811 it was exhausted. The colliery lasted until 1918 working the lower poorer seams. There were four other pits besides the West Engine Pit - Anne Pit (HER 4207), Charlotte Pit (NZ 294 653 - opened in 1801), East Pit (HER 4215) and Jane Pit (HER 4200). Owners were Lambert & Co (1850s), N.G. Lambert & Co (who also ran Bebside Colliery) and then Walker Coal Company Ltd. The colliery viewer was TJ Jobling of Point Pleasant, Wallsend and the resident viewer was WH Cole. Several disasters - on 2 April 1765 an explosion killed 8 miners, another explosion on 18 March 1766 killed 10. A fall of stones on 19 June 1823 killed 6 people. Explosions killed 16 miners on 22 November 1862. The day before the disaster the lower furnace had been dampened down to allow the shaft to be retubbed. This reduced the ventilation. Nevertheless 28 workers went down the pit with 9 horses and 21 ponies to do some blasting work on a geological fault (a 'trouble'). The explosion happened some 4 hours later. The stables were on fire and all horses and ponies were killed. One pony called French was found alive. The inquest was held at the Railway Hotel in Walker. A faulty lamp was blamed. The Mining Journal wrote a full report on the accident. 8 workers were killed on 24 October 1887. Walker Colliery closed in 1920.
Site Name
Walker Colliery B Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4206
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4206 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; Roy Thompson, 2004, Thunder Underground - Northumberland Mine Disasters 1815-65, p 100-103; Sykes Local Records 2 April 1765 and 18 March 1766