Mining History

“Coal was mined as a surface outcrop at Denaby in medieval times, and in 1487 there is a reference to a close there called Colepytes. In the early eighteenth century wooden wagon ways were constructed for the transport of hand hewn coal, from sites near the present swimming baths, to the river. At Engine House Farm, Old Denaby, coal was also being dug, from a seam, known as the Shafton seam.

The coal was used mainly for burning limestone to produce the lime, which was in turn mixed with other products such as horsehair for the mortar used in the building industry. The Fullerton Estate Plan, shows evidence viable to extract them on a large scale until much later in to the nineteenth century.

It was in July 1863 that John Buckingham Pope, a London coal factor, and George Pearson a railway contractor, leased land from Fullerton Family of Thrybergh Hall, for the extraction of coal, from the previously mentioned eighteenth century Shafton seam to provide fuel and power for the sinking of a colliery shaft to the barnsly ‘bed’.

The sinking proved to be a long and risky undertaking, despite the use of equipment considered very advanced for that day and age. Since the site was low lying, and the shaft was below the level of the river, there was a great deal of water to contend with. At 449and a half yards, the shaft proved to be the deepest in Yorkshire at that time. It was not until the end of 1868 that coal was finally produced on a commercial basis, and the colliery was fully working. By 1869 a manger had been appointed at a salary of £150 per annum plus a house, and by 1873 the success of the undertaking was such that his salary had been raised to £400 per annum…

Gradually, what had begun as a quiet, rural area, orientated to agriculture, became one of grime, smoke and soot, due to the industrialisation.”
p. 3, Denaby and Cadeby Miner’s Memorial Chapel’, Pamphlet

" The Development of a new pit at Cadeby resulted in the formation of Denaby & Cadeby Colliery Co.  By 1893 the ten feet thick Barnsley bed of coal had been located and production began.  The colliery was the largest and deepest in Yorkshire at 770 yards.  By 1899 there were 3,500 men employed by the company, 2,600 of whom worked underground.  Output per day was 1,600 tons, despite the fact that the colliery was not as yet full capacity, having still a mile of coal face opened upon which no coal getting had yet been done.  It was estimated that at full working capacity, output would be close to 5,000 tines per day…

The production from both Denaby and Cadeby collieries continued to increase with large amounts of washed steam coal being shipped overseas to Europe, South America’s ports and also the Baltic States.  As the years passed, ownership of the collieries passes into other hands, however in 1947 ‘Nationalisation’ was introduced and private ownership ceased…

It can be seen that the collieries were the magnet that attracted the original inhabitants to the village, seeking the work created there.  The majority of these workers and their families would be strangers to each other, coming from diverse strands of society, to fill the various jobs required.  There were architects, clerks labourers, doctors, joiners, blacksmiths, bricklayers and coal hewers, all thrown together into the melting pot to form a new community around the two mines.  There can be little wonder that some conflicts arose, at work, at home, and at leisure.  It is remarkable though, how in times of trouble, there was a great unity of spirit.  The history of the collieries is one of drama, courage and deprivation, coupled with good comradeship, stubbornness and humour.”
p. 4, ‘Denaby and Cadeby Miner’s Memorial Chapel’ Pamphlet.

"By the time to two collieries were in production there were 1,000 houses in Denaby Main, built 49 to the acre.  It is said that each house cost approximately £45 to build.  None of them had bathrooms, water closets or running water.  The water had to be carried from one of two stand pipes either in Cliff View or behind the ‘Drum’ in the backs.”
p.5, ‘Denaby and Cadeby Miner’s Memorial Chapel’ Pamphlet.