The LNER Encyclopedia

I have now collected info on 62 locos built by Richardsons of Hartlepool. heres a report about an incident with works No.252 working from the area better known today as the Tanfield line. EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE JARROW. MARVELLOUS ESCAPE OF DRIVER AND FIREMAN. Yesterday, locomotive exploded at the Pontop and Jarrow Railway, but most fortunately was attended by no loss of life. The engine had been waiting near to tbe North-Eastern Railway bridge which crosses the branch Jarrow, for a load of empty waggons to take to Springwell Bank foot. On the west side were two tiers of laden waggons, and when the explosion took place the force took downward and westward coarse, The engine was thrown upon the ecibankment, and it rebounded back again, smash, ing the railway plates npon which it fell. The bottom of tbe boiler was torn like piece of paper, and the gearing underneath destroyed. The driver (Jos. Laverick) and fireman (Geo. Snowball) had been thrown into the 'ratter, clear of the engine, and escaped with trifling Injuries. It being tank engine may account for tbe force of the explosion taking the coarse it did. Had it taken an upward direction the men would bave been blown to atoms. Two waggons, each containing about foar tons of coals, were blown over, and damage was also done to the waggons on the second tier. These waggons, however, saved cottage close by, whicn is inhabited by a brick maker. Beyond this cottage, there are, happily, no other dwellings near the place.

spelling is original newspaper copy.

Please could I ask the date of this explosion?

14 th June 1882, report from Shields Daily Gazette a day after. Richardson works No.252 was rebuilt a few times and had several different owners its quie difficult to chart her early history as records are vague, she may have been originally built by Black Hawthorn and rebuilt by Richardsons or vice versa. i have her as being built in October 1854 and rebuilt by BH in 1877. Originally at Marley Hill colliery(Bowes & Partners?) she moved to Seaton Burn Coal Co then finally in about 1886 she moved to Killingworth Colliery. Bowes and Partners No.10 HARTLEPOOL, Seaton Burn No.4.
www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Bowes_Esq._and_Partners