COAL MINING

The coal mining industry in Westhoughton was the major employer for men for decades before the last pit closed in 1936.

There were 26 coal mines in total within the district, the earliest started working about 1764.

The Hulton Colliery Company was the largest mining company in Westhoughton and eventually operated seven pits, the earliest three being located north of the A6. The infamous Pretoria Pit, where 344 men and boys were killed on 21st Dec 1910, was also known as Chequerbent Bank Pits 3 and 4 and were constructed in 1901 and closed in 1934. Pits were closed because they were uneconomic or flooded. A map showing the names and locations of these 26 pits is shown below. A comprehensive book produced by Pam Clarke entitled “The Coal Mines of Westhoughton” is available in Westhoughton public library.

This page shows a range of the most well-known pits around Westhoughton. To see a presentation about early coal mining in the area, click here.

The last working shift at Pretoria Pit in 1934
painting by Tom Newton
Pretoria pit before closure in 1934

The terrible story about the mining disaster at Pretoria Pit in 1910 is told here.

There is a strong connection between the Wingates Band and the Pretoria Pit. This presentation shows the story from this perspective.

Pit Brow lassies were employed to wash coal, remove stones and dirt. They did this work because there was no other work available.
Colliers
Making pit props
Klondike Pit ie Chequerbent Pits 1 and 2
Policemen on strike duty at Hewlett Pits 1912
Eatock Pit in 1910

More information about Eatock Pit is in this presentation.

Painting of Stott’s Pit by Tom Newton. This pit was located off James Street and was the last pit in Westhoughton to close in 1936 due to flooding.
Stott’s Pit flooding in 1936

Chequerbent pits 1 and 2 were also known as Klondike because the two shafts were sunk in 1898 the year that gold had been found at Klondike in the Yukon, North Western Canada
Sharpening picks at Scott Lane Colliery
Coal mining
The above photo shows two coal mining safety workers. The one on the left is David Owen a qualified mining engineer and former contributor to Westhoughton Local History Group.