New Hucknall Colliery

Sinking the Modern Huthwaite Pit

The original Huthwaite colliery sited below Blackwell Road appears forced into late 1860´s closure due to flooding. A common mining danger, being one of natures major barriers restricting workable depths. Given knowledge of leaving unreachable seams presented a modern day challenge next sought by executors to William Muschamp Esquire. Despite employing the widely established services of local Mineral Surveyors John Boot & Sons, negotiations took almost eleven years before finally able to complete colliery leasing rights. The last village pit eventually being newly sited below its Hucknall Huthwaite southern meadows.

Digging out Huthwaite's future prosperity appears starting here in 1876, which dates these workers sinking the first shaft for a New Hucknall Colliery Company. 1876 These remarkable photos became revealed a century later, donated here through the coincidentally named Mr John Boot whose NCB employment finally saw out the pits closure.

Fossil deposits forming a Top Hard seam of Barnsley bed were first reached, and worked after sinking a second shaft to enable air circulation. Both shafts were named in a tribute to this areas titled land owning manor Lord. No.1, Carnarvon and No.2, Portland, which saw coals first raised through its North side workings by 1877. Productivity affording invite for more pit workers is generally recognised from 1878, under the certified management of a Simeon Watson, also filling dual role as their own qualified Mining Engineer. 1878

Initial use is shown above of a hand winch for lowering and raising miners. The very same method long employed by earlier pits where workers simply clung to chains. Larger collieries made greater use of pony power both above and underground, their perilous swinging descent being noted down the former old Hucknall pit shaft.

Advanced mining techniques fully utilised the latest steam powered machinery. This circa 1878 New Hucknall winder engine would not improve safety, but did increase depth and capacity for retrieving far heavier loads. New Hucknall colliery was destined to became one of many newer coal mines, reaching Nottinghamshires previously elusive seams where richer deposits stretched deeper eastward.

Underground labourers faced few changes. Schooling did at least raise family expections from nine years to nearer fourteen years of age before commonly enduring twelve hour shifts. While poorly paid face workers still swung hand picks and shovels in cramped, dark hostile conditions, it did provide jobs. Management estimated this coal mine would eventually employ 1500. Considering that, at time outnumbered the entire Hucknall-under-Huthwaite population realises the pits significance for the village. Also immediate needs for building far more housing, giving an affordable invitation for mining families from wider afield.