Usworth Station is on the North Eastern Railway (HER ref. 2625).
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Usworth Station, on the North Eastern Railway (SMR 2625).
Site Name
Usworth Station
Site Type: Specific
Railway Station
HER Number
2626
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2626 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2626,2877,3811
DAY1
29
District
Gateshead and Sunderland
Easting
424690
EASTING2
3202
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MAP2
NZ34SW
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
563850
NORTHING2
4917
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Description
The southern part of the North Eastern Railway line was originally the Durham Junction Railway, which started in 1833/34 to connect the Stanhope and Tyne Railway at Washington with Durham. It eventually reached Durham in 1844 as part of Hudson's Newcastle and Darlington Junction System. The Victoria Bridge (HER ref. 2877) was built as part of this line.
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
SITEDESC
North Eastern Railway. The southern part of this line was originally the Durham Junction Railway, which started in 1834, it was to connect the Stanhope and Tyne Railway at Washington with Durham. On 16th June 1834 an act was passed which gave authority to the Durham Junction Railway Company to construct 7 miles of railway. They were to raise a capital of £80,000 in shares and £20,000 by loan. Tolls on cargoes were to be levied. The railway would be carried over the Wear on a bridge which had a roadway for horses, carriages, cattle and foot passengers. A board of directors was elected at the first meeting of the Durham Junction Railway Company on 8th July 1834. Thomas Elliot Harrison was appointed engineer. Works started on the embankments and cuttings between Washington and Rainton Meadows in 1835. In the mean time the idea of the "Great North of England Railway" to connect Newcastle with Leeds and York, and with Scotland was suggested by Joseph Pease of Darlington back in October 1835. Section of the NER from Newcastle to Berwick is HER 1063.The line opened on 24th August 1838, no longer a mere connecting link between two mineral railways, but potentially a part of the great locomotive highway between London and Edinburgh. Though only just under 5 miles in length, Tomlinson says that it possessed one of the finest engineering works in the kingdom - the Victoria Bridge (HER 2877). The line eventually reached Durham in 1844 as part of Hudson's Newcastle and Darlington Junction System.
Site Name
North Eastern Railway (Durham Junction Railway)
Site Type: Specific
Railway
HER Number
2625
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 2625 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1861, 6 inch scale, Durham 20
I.M Ayris, & S.M. Linsley, 1994, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Tyne and Wear, p.12; WW Tomlinson, 1914, The North Eastern Railway - Its Rise and Development
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
Crossref
2623,2621,2290
DAY1
26
DAY2
12
District
Sunderland
Easting
430020
EASTING2
3167
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MAP2
NZ35SW
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
5
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
557000
NORTHING2
5529
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Washington
Description
Washington Wagonway linked Washington Colliery ‘1’ and ‘B’ Pits to the North Eastern Railway, Pontop and South Shields Branch at Victoria Place. On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, it seems to have a short disused branch to ‘The Old Engine’ (HER ref. 2622), from NZ 3019 5684.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Washington Wagonway linked Washington Colliery 1 and B Pits to the North Eastern Railway, Pontop and South Shields Branch at Victoria Place. Williams states that it ran from the pits at Usworth Main Colliery to the north bank of the River Wear at Cox Green and also provided a link for moving coal to the Tyne along the new Washington Waggonway (HER 2610). It was in use by 1787. On the 1st edition OS mapping, it seems to have a short disused branch to The Old Engine (SMR 2622), from NZ 3019 5684. The waggonway was not encountered during an evaluation by ASUD in 2012. The trench reached a depth of 5.1m containing industrial waste and clays. Natural substrate was not reached.
Site Name
Washington Waggonway (Usworth Way to Cox Green)
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
2624
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2624 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7; Archaeological Services Durham University, 2012, Teal Village Farm, Washington, Tyne and Wear - archaeological evaluation; Turnbull, L, 2012, Railways Before George Stephenson (entry 81) 172; Gibson's Map of Coalfield 1787; Alan Williams Archaeology, 2013, Waggonways to the South Bank of the River Tyne and to the River Wear
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2015
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
2621,2617,2612
DAY1
18
DAY2
19
District
Sunderland
Easting
430230
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556700
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Washington
Description
Washington Colliery, I Pit. This was served by the Washington Wagonway, (HER 2624). Washington Colliery was opened before 1794. There were nine pits, A-I. Owners were W. Russel Esq., in 1850s Bell and others, then Bell, Kipster & Co, then William Stobart and lastly the Washington Coal Co Ltd. There were many colliery disasters - on 14 June 1736, 5 miners were killed in an explosion, on 12 February 1796, 6 were killed, 7 on 27 February 1797, 14 on 20 November 1828, 34 on 19 August 1851 and on 31 May 1867 10 miners were killed when a shaft fell down. New offices were opened in 1893. In 1894 900 people worked at the colliery.In 1901 sinking began to the Harvey seam at a depth of 720 feet. The first 120 feet were quicksands - the first British application of the Poetsch freezing method was used to sink through the sands.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Washington Colliery, I Pit. This was served by the Washington Wagonway, (HER 2624). Washington Colliery was opened before 1794. There were nine pits, A-I. Owners were W. Russel Esq., in 1850s Bell and others, then Bell, Kipster & Co, then William Stobart and lastly the Washington Coal Co Ltd. There were many colliery disasters - on 14 June 1736, 5 miners were killed in an explosion, on 12 February 1796, 6 were killed, 7 on 27 February 1797, 14 on 20 November 1828, 34 on 19 August 1851 and on 31 May 1867 10 miners were killed when a shaft fell down. New offices were opened in 1893. In 1894 900 people worked at the colliery.In 1901 sinking began to the Harvey seam at a depth of 720 feet. The first 120 feet were quicksands - the first British application of the Poetsch freezing method was used to sink through the sands.
Site Name
Washington Colliery, I Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
2623
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2623 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; N. Emery, 1998, Banners of the Durham Coalfield
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2623
DAY1
18
District
Sunderland
Easting
430110
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
556960
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Washington
Description
The 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan shows ‘The Old Engine’ and a ‘Windlass’, probably winding equipment associated with Washington Colliery.
Site Type: Broad
Machinery
SITEDESC
The OS 1st edition mapping shows The Old Engine and a Windlass, probably winding equipment associated with Washington Colliery.
Site Name
Washington, The Old Engine
Site Type: Specific
Engine
HER Number
2622
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2622 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
2623
DAY1
18
DAY2
18
District
Sunderland
Easting
429950
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ25NE
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557030
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Washington
Description
Washington Colliery, B Pit. This was served by the Washington Wagonway, (HER 2624). Washington Colliery was opened before 1794. There were nine pits, A-I. Owners were W. Russel Esq., in 1850s Bell and others, then Bell, Kipster & Co, then William Stobart and lastly the Washington Coal Co Ltd. There were many colliery disasters - on 14 June 1736, 5 miners were killed in an explosion, on 12 February 1796, 6 were killed, 7 on 27 February 1797, 14 on 20 November 1828, 34 on 19 August 1851 and on 31 May 1867 10 miners were killed when a shaft fell down. New offices were opened in 1893. In 1894 900 people worked at the colliery.In 1901 sinking began to the Harvey seam at a depth of 720 feet. The first 120 feet were quicksands - the first British application of the Poetsch freezing method was used to sink through the sands.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Washington Colliery, B Pit. Washington Colliery was opened before 1794. There were nine pits, A-I. Owners were W. Russel Esq., in 1850s Bell and others, then Bell, Kipster & Co, then William Stobart and lastly the Washington Coal Co Ltd. There were many colliery disasters - on 14 June 1736, 5 miners were killed in an explosion, on 12 February 1796, 6 were killed, 7 on 27 February 1797, 14 on 20 November 1828, 34 on 19 August 1851 and on 31 May 1867 10 miners were killed when a shaft fell down. New offices were opened in 1893. In 1894 900 people worked at the colliery. In 1901 sinking began to the Harvey seam at a depth of 720 feet. The first 120 feet were quicksands - the first British application of the Poetsch freezing method was used to sink through the sands.
Site Name
Washington Colliery, B Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
2621
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2621 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; N. Emery, 1998, Banners of the Durham Coalfield
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
18
District
Sunderland
Easting
429990
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ25NE
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557720
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Washington
Description
Waggonman's Row was presumably built as housing for colliery workers or wagonway workers.
Site Type: Broad
Terrace
SITEDESC
Waggonman's Row is possible colliery workers' or wagonway worker's housing.
Site Name
Washington, Waggonman's Row
Site Type: Specific
Terrace
HER Number
2620
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2620 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
18
District
Sunderland
Easting
430220
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557680
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Washington
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey Map evidence shows the location of the Nailer's Shops – presumably the workshops of nail makers.
SITEASS
Nail making originated as a domestic craft in the C16. The nailer obtained strips or rods of iron from a forge equipped with a slitting mill. These were cut nails, rectangular or square in cross-section having been cut from iron sheets. Nails made by machine were introduced in the late C18 by Thomas Clifford, who patented machinery in 1790. These nails were stamped from the iron sheets. Later machines made nails from coils of round wire on automatic machinery (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology, H. Bodley, 1983, Nailmaking, Shire Publications).
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
Nailer's Shops, ? nail makers.
Site Name
Washington, Nailer's Shops
Site Type: Specific
Nail Shop
HER Number
2619
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2619 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
2617
DAY1
18
District
Sunderland
Easting
430200
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MONTH1
7
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557510
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Washington
Description
A brickfield adjacent to Washington Colliery ‘F’ Pit (HER ref. 2616).
Site Type: Broad
Brick and Tilemaking Site
SITEDESC
A brickfield, adjacent to Washington Colliery F Pit (SMR 2616).
Site Name
Washington, brickfield
Site Type: Specific
Brickfield
HER Number
2618
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 2618 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
CONDITION
Poor
Crossref
2623, 2621
DAY1
18
DAY2
17
District
Sunderland
Easting
430210
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NW
MATERIAL
Brick
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
7
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 35 NW 29
Northing
557410
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Washington
SAMNUMBER
30925
Description
‘F’ Pit (Coal), probably part of Washington Colliery, comprises a horizontal twin cylinder steam colliery winding engine built by the Grange Iron Company in 1888 set within its original brick built engine house. The attendant steel lattice headstock survives within the site although the rest of the colliery has been cleared. The site which is now a small museum run by Tyne and Wear Museums Service, represents the last vestige of mining in the Washington area. The original 'F' pit shaft was sunk to a depth of 283 metres in 1777 and is thought to have been one of the earliest working pits in the country. 'F' Pit was one of a dozen or so small shafts in the Washington area. Most of these pits were later abandoned and output concentrated at a few more highly modernised collieries such as 'F' Pit. The present building dates from 1903 when the colliery was extensively modernised. The colliery closed on 21st June 1968.SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT AND LISTED GRADE 2
SITEASS
A horizontal twin cylinder steam colliery winding engine built by the Grange Iron Company in 1888 set within its original brick built engine house. The attendant steel lattice headstock survives within the site although the rest of the colliery has been cleared. The site which is now a small museum represents the last vestige of mining in the Washington area. Listed on English Heritage's Register of Buildings at Risk 2002. Listed as being in "poor" condition. Priority C. Monument on the English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk 2007, priority C - slow decay; no solution agreed. Heritage At Risk 2008, priority C, condition poor. Listed on English Heritage's Heritage At Risk Register 2009. Condition: poor. Priority: C. The engine house was built in 1926 although the pit opened in 1777. The pit closed in 1968 and the engine house was presented as a monument. It opened as a museum in 1976, being leased to Tyne and Wear Museums Service. Costs of maintenance and operation, coupled with low visitor figures caused TWMS to cease its operations and the lease has been surrendered to Sunderland City Council. Heritage At Risk 2011: It opened as a museum in 1976, being leased to Tyne & Wear Museums Service. However, operational and maintenance costs, coupled with low visitor figures, caused TWMS to cease its operations and the future of the building remains uncertain.
Condition: Poor
Priority: C Slow decay; no solution agreed. Heritage At Risk 2013: Condition: Poor
Priority: C Slow decay; no solution agreed. Heritage At Risk 2015: Condition: Poor
Priority: C Slow decay; no solution agreed. Future of building uncertain as in 2011.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
The origins of this site lay in the opening out of various coal measures in the 1770s, the first coal being drawn from this mine in 1778. The original 'F' pit shaft was sunk to a depth of 283m in 1777 and is thought to have been one of the earliest working pits in the country {3}. Owned by W. Russel Esq, then in 1850s Bell and others, then Bell Kipster & Co, then William Stobart, then Washington Coal Company Ltd. In 1927 Matthew Henry Kellett was owner until 1947 when the National Coal Board took over. A number of closures and modernisation schemes took place at the colliery until final closure on 21st June 1968. The closure of Harraton, Glebe, Usworth and Washington 'F' Pits marked the end of an era of mining in and around Washington with its heritage of coal working of around 200 years. A museum was initially opened by the Washington Development Corporation in 1976 later in the hands of the Tyne and Wear Museums Service, now closed.
Site Name
Washington Colliery, F Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
SITE_STAT
Scheduled Monument, Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
2617
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 2617 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 7
I. Ayris & S. Linsley, 1994, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Tyne and Wear,p 41
Washington 'F' Pit, Industrial Museum leaflet
Tyne and Wear County Council, Washington 'F' Pit, Museum leaflet
English Heritage, 1998, Colliery Engine House at Washington F Pit, Albany Schedule Entry Copy 30925; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; N. Emery, 1998, Banners of the Durham Coalfield; Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 2/71