Fragile Reminder of Tragedy that Changed the World - April 13th 2010

13 April 2010.

A small, delicate item currently on display at Woodhorn features as one of the remarkable objects from the North East in the regional section of BBC and British Museum History of the World initiative. A disaster glass from the Hartley mining accident marks not just the tragic loss of 204 lives but a change in the law right across the globe.

On the 16th January 1862, 204 men and boys were killed at the pit, trapped underground by a falling beam which blocked the only means of escape. A public outcry followed as the harrowing scenes were reported in the national press and it became clear that the disaster could have been avoided had there been a second way out.

Following a battle with the coal owners, an amendment to the Coal Mines Act was brought in and from 1st January 1865 it became unlawful for a mine owner to work a mine unless there were at least two means of egress. The provisions in the act were adopted in the mines across the Empire and in time applied to all legally operated mines around the world.

Sue Wood, Head of Collections at Woodhorn points out, “Memorial glasses are particular to North East of England and were originally intended to serve as a reminder to families of those who had died. This Hartley glass also stands today as a reminder of the many lives across the world saved as a result of the changes made following the disaster.”

The glass can be seen in the main reception area of the Cutter Building at Woodhorn, and further examples of memorial glasses are on display within the Coal Town exhibition at the museum.