Home History of Seaham - Stories and remarkable and memorable events in the history of Seaham Miscellaneous events in the history of Seaham Diary of James Coyle (Up to 1937)

Diary of James Coyle (Up to 1937)

 

 

This diary/compendium of interesting facts was written by Mr. James Coyle of 14 Alexandrina Street, Seaham Harbour at some point before 1937 when the last entry is dated. (The diary is reproduced courtesy of Seaham Family History Group.)

 

James Coyle was born 24th May 1885 and he died in 1955. He married Elizabeth Ann Kirby in 1904. Also in the photograph is their youngest daughter Thomasina. 

 

 

 

This photograph is reproduced here by kind permission of his great grandaughter Lynne Carr. 

 

 

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Recorded deaths, drowning and fatal accidents of local Seaham folk recorded over 50 years between 1887 and 1937:

 

 

Death at Seaham docks   27

 

Drowning from the beach         22

 

Other deaths                     103

 

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Pre –1880

 

 

The first ship to sail from Seaham Dock laden with coal, on July 25 1831, was the brig ‘Lord Seaham’ owned by John Buddle, Lord Londonderry’s right hand man. The skipper was John Clark of Newcastle, the outward pilot was James Morley and the inward pilot was James Ellemore.

 

 

 

The foundation stone for St. John’s was laid on February 11 1835. Completed 1840.

 

 

 

Commander Slater surveyed Seaham Harbour in 1840; R.N. Plans for new piers were drawn up by Mr. Chapman, Mr. Thorman, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Murray and Sir John

 

 

 

The first sods of the Londonderry Seaham & Sunderland Railway were laid by the 3rd. Marquess on February 8 1853. The line was opened for coal traffic on August 3 1854 and for passengers on July 2 1855. Mr. George Anderson was the driver of the first passenger train.

 

 

Engraving of "Cutting the first sod of the Seaham to Sunderland Railway"

 

 

A gift of a drinking fountain from Mr. Robert Wight was placed at the bottom of North Railway Street in 1860.

 

 

 

A metal bridge was laid over the incline at Seaham Harbour in 1870.

 

 

 

1884

 

 

 

Luke Conlon was the first landlord of the Castlereagh Hotel.

 

 

 

The only steamship built at Seaham was the ‘Linthorpe’, launched for Middlesborough owners on October 21 1884.

 

 

 

1887

 

 

 

John Scott (Bally) and George Neil were drowned at Seaham by the SS Harvest Queen (whose skipper was Huntrod) on October 12 1887

 

 

 

1889

 

 

 

John Leslie (aged six and a half) was killed by wagons on the Rainton line near Seaham Brickworks in May 1889

 

 

 

Caroline Winter was murdered near the Featherbed Rock on August 2 1889.

 

 

 

Ryhope & Seaton Railway Disaster (Runaway train) was on August 19 1889.

 

 

 

1891

 

 

 

After putting a pilot on board from his coble Tom Scott was run down by the S.S. Garron Tower on April 26 1891. His body was never found. The Garron Tower’s skipper was called Horlock.

 

 

 

1892

 

 

 

A Charity Bank was made in front of the Londonderry Office during the Miners’ Strike of Mar-May 1892 (13 weeks). The salt water pipes were cut away from the North Battery Cliffs and Londonderry Baths by Dick Pendlington during the strike.

 

 

 

1893

 

 

 

The Prince & Princess of Wales (future Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) visited Seaham Harbour on July 3 1893.

 

 

 

1894

 

 

 

S.S. General Havelock came ashore near Sunderland on September 27 1894.

 

 

 

1895

 

 

 

Shipley’s Balloon went up at Seaham Cricket Field in 1895. A parachute was used.

 

 

 

James Hoy became Secretary to New Seaham branch of the D.M.A. in April 1895, succeeding his late father (??) Nicholas. He died on January 2 1936.

 

 

 

1896

 

 

 

The No. 2 pit at Seaham Colliery was laid in (off) on May 8 1896

 

 

 

Haswell Colliery permanently laid in on September 26 1896. Western section of South Hetton railway (from South Hetton to Haswell Colliery) dismantled.

 

 

 

Last Rainton pits closed November 1896. Western section of Rainton & Seaham railway dismantled.

 

 

 

The Catholic school at the High Colliery opened in 1896

 

 

 

George Miller, 21, was drowned at Seaham Harbour on July 20 1896

 

 

 

1897

 

 

 

J.K. Hewison dropped dead suddenly in the Foresters’ Arms on February 22 1897.

 

 

 

The first motor coach run on Seaham Colliery Road for passengers (July 1897) was owned by Mr. T.O. Johnson of Cornish Street. Its driver was Robert Neville. The second motor coach for passengers (in 1909) was owned by Mr. Edwards, an ex Sergeant of the Royal Field Artillery, whose address was the Bridge Bazaar in North Railway St.

 

 

 

1898

 

 

 

J.K. Tate died suddenly whilst descending shaft of Seaham Colliery in January 1898.

 

 

 

The Seaham Harbour Dock Company was created in 1898.

 

 

 

Mr. W. A. Ellis became Clerk at Seaham Court House on December 28 1898.

 

 

 

The Butter Boat ‘Niord’ came ashore at Ryhope Dene at 11 p.m. December 31 1898. Casks of butter littered the shoreline just north of the Hall beach.

 

 

 

1899

 

 

 

J. Pickles (aged seven and a half) was drowned off the old North Pier on May 2 1899.

 

 

 

Lord Castlereagh cut the first sods for Dawdon Colliery on August 26 1899. The foundation stone for new piers and docks were laid the same day.

 

 

 

1900

 

 

 

Jim Percy of School Street, Seaham Colliery committed suicide in July 1900.

 

 

 

Lord Londonderry sold the Seaham & Sunderland Railway to the N.E.R. on October 6 1900.

 

 

 

John Bowes of Seaham Harbour was hanged at Durham Gaol on December 12 1900 for the murder of his wife on Seaham Beach.

 

 

 

1901

 

 

 

Arthur Hudson, 17, was killed at Seaham Docks in June 1901.

 

 

 

Huge hailstone storm at Seaham Colliery on July 10 1901.

 

 

 

J.J. Candlish opened Mr. A. C. Harrison’s New Theatre Royal on July 29 1901.

 

 

 

1902

 

 

 

Mr. Brown, Engineer for Pearson & Co. was drowned at Seaham Docks in 1902.

 

 

 

1903

 

 

 

John Blair, 15, was killed by an explosion of dynamite at Seaham Docks on March 17 1903.

 

 

 

New Seaham Recreation Grounds with Swings etc. opened in 1903

 

 

 

Fred Botcherby, landlord of the Seaton Colliery Inn, died on October 29 1903.

 

 

 

1904

 

 

 

The S.S. Lillian came ashore at Blast Beach in February 1904.

 

 

 

Seaham United Methodist Free Church caught fire on March 20 1904

 

 

 

Arthur Slee was killed on the South Hetton line on June 26 1904.

 

 

 

The Sunderland steam tug ‘Earl of Dumfries’ blew up off Seaham on June 30 1904. All four crew lost. The iron tug owned by Thos Hutchinson & Son, Sunderland left the Wear about 4.00pm heading to a schooner two miles off, passed the fishing boat Ethereal and an explosion was heard at 5.00pm. The Ethereal went to the spot last seen but the tug had “gone down like a stone”. (The Evening Post 20th July 1904)

 

 

 

John Boyle was drowned near Featherbed Rocks on August 1 1904.

 

 

 

1905

 

 

 

First train from Sunderland to Hartlepool via Seaham on the new coastline ran on Sunday October 1 1905

 

 

 

The S.S. Lord Londonderry was the first steamer to enter through the gates of New South Dock on Wednesday November 15 1905. The Kathleen, Lady Aline and Garron Tower arrived later the same day.

 

 

 

1906

 

 

 

S.S. Longnewton came ashore on rocks behind the South Pier on January 19 1906. Her skipper was J.K. Adamson

 

 

 

Bill Gale, 42, horse keeper of Seaham, committed suicide on November 2 1906.

 

 

 

James Lavery & John Swan were barred in the mine at Seaham Colliery for 50 hours in December 1906.

 

 

 

1907

 

 

 

There was a fire at Seaham Bottleworks on April 2 1907.

 

 

 

St. Mary Magdalene’s RC church in Londonderry Road was opened in September 1907.

 

 

 

Dawdon Colliery commenced drawing coal with cages in October 1907.

 

 

 

1908

 

 

 

Sergeant Jack Corrigan, 2nd. Durham Volunteer Artillery was killed at Seaham Colliery Station on March 31 1908 or early hours of April 1.

 

 

 

First amateur operatics at Seaham was 1908 (HMS Pinafore).

 

 

 

In 1908 there was a three-mile swimming race between Tom Hopkins and Folor Williamson from Ryhope Point to the North Pier. One must finish, £25 aside. Hopkins won.

 

 

 

Seaham Harbour Seamen’s’ Mission opened on October 5 1908.

 

 

 

1909

 

 

 

J.K. Heppell of Church Street committed suicide in August 1909. A few days later Tom Fletcher of the same passage also committed suicide.

 

 

 

1910

 

 

 

Bill Bell, 40, a stoneman of Seaham Colliery, committed suicide on April 2 1910.

 

 

 

J.T. Clark, Builder & Contractor of Seaham, was killed on Ryhope Road motorcycling home on October 14 1910.

 

 

 

The Shakespeare Hotel in North Terrace closed in December 1910. Its last landlord was Jim Pryor.

 

 

 

1912

 

 

 

Dawdon Hotel built 1912. Harry Webb was the first landlord.

 

 

 

Dawdon Parish Church (St. Hild & St. Helen) was consecrated by Dr. Moule, Bishop of Durham, on February 10 1912.

 

 

 

A family quarrel between Robert Price & Peter Morris near the Seaton Colliery Inn on August 5 (Durham Gala Day) 1912 led to the death of the latter from a blow when he fell.

 

 

 

The first weekly payment at Seaham Colliery was made on August 10 1912.

 

 

 

Chilton’s Brewery finished October 4 1912. His houses were taken over by Stonehouse for Nimmos of Castle Eden.

 

 

 

Dawdon Princess Theatre opened in October 1912. Empire opened same month.

 

 

 

1913

 

 

 

Bill Guy, Overman at Seaham Colliery committed suicide on March 30 1913 by jumping down No. 2 Pit Chain Balance Hole (1800 feet ??). A 5-year-old daughter of his had been killed by Waggons near Bank Head Street on March 28 1906 and he had never recovered from the blow.

 

 

 

1914

 

 

 

War declared on Germany August 4th 1914 and on Austria-Hungary on August 12th

 

 

 

John Dickinson, 14, was drowned off the old North Pier on September 10 1914

 

 

 

Germans bombarded Yarmouth on November 3 1914

 

 

 

‘No Treating’ Order for Public Houses introduced in November 1914. Fred Weaver subsequently fined at Seaham Court for same.

 

 

 

Hartlepool & Scarborough bombarded by German fleet December 16 1914.

 

 

 

1915

 

 

 

Lusitania torpedoed by Germans May 7 1915.

 

 

 

Nurse Cavell shot by Germans October 13 1915.

 

 

 

Gus Harrison drowned at Docks 1915

 

 

 

1916

 

 

 

A German submarine fired upon Seaham on the night of Tuesday July 7 1916. One person, an unlucky visitor from Hebburn, Mrs. Mary Slaughter was killed whilst walking with her host near the High Pit Yard at Seaham Colliery, a mile inland. She was the town’s only civilian casualty in the Great War.

 

 

 

Ralph Burrell of Swinebank Cottages, suicide, 1916

 

 

 

Bill Carver, 36, Doggy to Pilots, drowned 1916.

 

 

 

Jim Macintosh drowned at Docks in 1916.

 

 

 

Zeppelin raid on Sunderland April 1 1916. 22 Killed, 105 injured.

 

 

 

James Curry went missing on September 10 1916. Body found (drowned) at the Old Clay Hole, Seaham Colliery.

 

 

 

Zeppelin brought down in flames off Hartlepool November 27 1916.

 

 

 

1917

 

 

 

Angus Cameron drowned at Docks in 1917.

 

 

 

Isaac Batey, 67, committed suicide at the bottom of the Black Road, Seaham Colliery, near the Brickworks in 1917.

 

 

 

War ends on November 11 1918

 

 

 

W. Bamboro, 68, accidentally drowned in Old Clay Hole, Seaham Colliery in December 1918.

 

 

 

1919

 

 

 

South Dock Gates & East Wall broke away in the storm of November 10 1919. Reopened July 5 1921 by S.S. Edenside.

 

 

 

1920

 

 

 

W. Heron, 17, drowned off the Spiles, North Beach, on August 7 1920.

 

 

 

Bob Barker, Picksharper, committed suicide at Seaham Colliery on December 28 1920.

 

 

 

1921

 

 

 

Samuel Venner, 62, committed suicide at Mill Cottages, Seaham Colliery on March 3 1921.

 

 

 

Ralph Tennant, 18, drowned down the Muddy Burn (Bessie’s Hole) March 22 1921

 

 

 

Seaham Bottleworks closed down April 16 1921.

 

 

 

1922

 

 

 

J.K. Hartley, 48, died suddenly at New Seaham Workmen’s Club on January 21 1922

 

 

 

Hall Brothers commenced their ‘Invincible’ motor coach service in Seaham Harbour, Seaham Colliery & Murton on April 22 1922. Northern started in April 1925.

 

 

 

Tom Green, 33, was accidentally killed when he fell between his two horses and was trampled on Princess Road on August 28 1922.

 

 

 

Mrs. Nugent of Dawdon was killed at Ryhope Station East by a train on December 27 1922.

 

 

 

1923

 

 

 

Dr. Squair died suddenly at a Masonic Hall toast to his health on June 13 1923.

 

 

 

An Invincible Bus in North Railway Street killed W. Rivett, aged 8, on October 24 1923. R. Kirby was the driver.

 

 

 

(Christian name not stated) Griffiths, 5, of Cottages Road, Dawdon, was killed by Bunkers on November 17 1923.

 

 

 

1924

 

 

 

Charles Edward Armstrong, 48, committed suicide at Seaham Colliery January 10 1924.

 

 

 

Bill Appleby in the West Maudlin Seam at Seaham Colliery found coal on fire on January 16 1924. The entire pit was idle until January 27. The West Maudlin was left to stand and burn out.

 

 

 

T.J. Johnson, a teemer, fell over a switch at Seaham Dock and was injured on March 28 1924. He died on April 2 1924.

 

 

 

Mr. Best, 38, a Water Company clerk and engineer, was killed at Dalton-le-Dale whilst motorcycling on May 26 1924.

 

 

 

Ernest Dixon of Dawdon was drowned at Seaham Hall Beach on July 27 1924.

 

 

 

The first 12 tenants of the new Castlereagh Aged Miners’ Homes on December 19 1924 were: 1, Chapelow; 2, Parker; 3, Reece; 4, Macgregor; 5, Morrish; 6, Forbes; 7, Dodds; 8, Coyles; 9, Lamb; 10, Pigg; 11, Locker; 12, Nattrass

 

 

 

1925

 

 

 

The 2 year old son of brickpacker Jack Wright was killed at Seaham Brickworks on July 4 1925

 

 

 

James Ellemore, 55, committed suicide at Seaham Harbour in August 1925.

 

 

 

Councillor Jack Stuart started trips for aged people from the Zetland Hotel in August 1925.

 

 

 

Seaham Engineworks in Foundry Road closed September 1925.

 

 

 

Bernard Boyle of Seaham Harbour was killed while pillion riding with R. Turner September 29 1925.

 

 

 

Charles Scott, Onsetter at Seaham Colliery, died suddenly getting ready for work at 6a.m. October 10 1925.

 

 

 

Matthew Spencer, 14, killed cycling on North Road, October 23 1925

 

 

 

Thomas Flack was killed while shunting at Seaham Docks November 9 1925.

 

 

 

W. Henderson, 45, died suddenly in Dawdon Workmen’s Club in December 1925.

 

 

 

1926

 

 

 

New Catholic school opened at Station Road Sunday January 24 1926 (later called St. Joseph’s).

 

 

 

Sinking of Vane Tempest commenced in February 1926

 

 

 

Millbone (???) Cottages murder and suicide on April 19 1926: George Burnett, 45 and his son Edward, 3

 

 

 

A. Balmer, Compensation Secretary to Dawdon Colliery found dead on railway near Dawdon August 19 1926 (middle of the Strike May 1 - Nov 30 1926, 30 weeks and two days)

 

 

 

Believing him to be a night prowler or a coal stealer New Seaham Conservative Club Steward Mr. Douglas shot and hit Wilfred Carr, Clerk at Seaham Colliery, in September 1926.

 

 

 

On December 7 1926 an accident occurred at Seaham Low Pit No. 2 Pit Side when 8 men in the lower deck of the cage were dipped under the water sump at the bottom of the pit. The eight were: T. Miller; C. Ferguson; G. Thorpe; W. Maitland; T. Chapman; H. Waters; C. Foulds; Dick Brannan. The Main Coal Waster was Ted Charlton and the Brakesman was Robert Sutherland.

 

 

 

Bill Clint, 71, found dead hanging at No. 4 Candlish Terrace on December 12 1926.

 

 

 

1927

 

 

 

Dawdon Swing Bridge opened by Joe Dawson on New Year’s Day 1927.

 

 

 

James Winter, Master Weigh man at Seaham Colliery, died suddenly at work at the High Pit on February 3 1927.

 

 

 

Thomas Stevens, a miner of Houghton-le-Spring, was found dead on Seaham Beach on March 29 1927.

 

 

 

Mr. Pollock junior succeeded Mr. Crow as Relieving Officer at Seaham and Mr. Crow succeeded Mr. Pollock’s father as Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages at Seaham Harbour in April 1927.

 

 

 

Whitfield Kay was dead in bed from gas poisoning at Dawdon on June 13 1927.

 

 

 

G. Carver, 9, and H. Proctor, 8, were buried alive by a cliff fall at Blast Cliffs on Sunday August 21 1927. Proctor survived.

 

 

 

Jacky Haswell of Railway Street went missing on August 9 1927. He was found buried at Blast Cliffs Coal Tip on September 1 1927. Probably another landslide victim.

 

 

 

Seaham Harbour was first lit up with electric lights by Councillor Young on Friday September 2 1927.

 

 

 

James Houghton of Halfmoon Cottages, Easington, was found drowned on Seaham Beach by J. G. Tullock on November 24 1927.

 

 

 

1928

 

 

 

Councillor Hedley Mason reopened Seaham Hall as a Sanatorium on February 25 1928.

 

 

 

James Hoy was made an Alderman on March 16 1928.

 

 

 

R.B. Irwin, 7, lost, then found drowned in North Dock by W. Puddick, April 17 1928.

 

 

 

A new public footbridge was opened near Seaham Colliery Station & Red Star Hotel on May 2 1928.

 

 

 

Lord Londonderry celebrated the completion of the Vane shaft at Vane Tempest on June 18 1928. He laid the foundation stone for the Single Aged Miners Homes at Seaham Colliery on July 14 1928.

 

 

 

A crane collapsed at Seaham Docks on August 9 1928, killing John Skethaway, 32, and injuring William Reed, 34.

 

 

 

Bill Carter, 72, accidentally killed by motorcar on Vicarage Bank, Seaham Colliery on November 1 1928.

 

 

 

Robert Turnbull, 50, manager of Seaham Colliery Co-op branch, was found drowned at Docks by J. R. Snowball on November 5 1928.

 

 

 

G.O. Magee, 14, was killed on the South Hetton line on November 23 1928.

 

 

 

A Northern Bus opposite Seaham Co-op Store killed Reuben Wood, 20, a bricklayer of Waldridge Fell, on December 14 1928.

 

 

 

1929

 

 

 

Seaham Colliery Single Hostel was opened on January 19 1929. First caretaker was Mr. Richard Bleasdale.

 

 

 

John Reaper, 36, was killed in a fatal accident at Seaham Docks on January 23 1929.

 

 

 

J. W. Curley of Seaham was given three years penal servitude for fraud and forgery of the National Workers Union on February 21 1929.

 

 

 

T. Weetman, a 58 year old painter, was burnt to death on the Featherbed Rock on March 17 1929.

 

 

 

First cages placed in Vane Tempest shaft 29/30 March 1929 (Easter Weekend)

 

 

 

W. Hall of 48 Fox Street was drowned in Seaham Dock on April 3 1929

 

 

 

Gladys Clark, 7 and a half, was accidentally burnt at Carr House on May 20 1929. Died at Infirmary the next day.

 

 

 

Mr. Thomas Brough, late manager of Seaham Colliery, died at his home in Darlington on June 19 1929. His wife followed him on April 22 1930. Both buried at Old Seaham.

 

 

 

First trainload of coal from Vane Tempest Colliery for shipment at Seaham Docks June 20 1929.

 

 

 

HMS Fitzroy surveyed and sounded around Seaham Piers and entrance to Dock, 11-14 July 1929, under Captain Pryor, R.N.

 

 

 

A bus at Cold Hesledon killed Mrs. M. Grimes of Seaham Harbour on September 14 1929

 

 

 

There was a 16-week stoppage at Dawdon Colliery in 1929 over the questions of wages and homes.

 

 

 

Robert Reed, 17, of Alfred Street was killed at Seaham Docks on December 26 1929.

 

 

 

1930

 

 

 

Harry Holman, Tugboat man, drowned at Docks on February 4 1930.

 

 

 

John Liddell, 3, of Alexandra Road, was killed by a bus on March 1 1930.

 

 

 

Samuel Hunter, retired butcher of Seaham, died suddenly in his home March 22 1930.

 

 

 

Miss Anne Brown, 15, was killed by a bus near the Catholic church on Sunday March 30 1930.

 

 

 

First aid appliances were given out at Seaham Colliery for underground use on April 6 1930. Matthew Bell in attendance.

 

 

 

Princess Theatre reopened with ‘talkies’ on April 28 1930.

 

 

 

J.K. Morgan commenced as House Agent at Seaham Colliery in April 1930.

 

 

 

There was a fatal motor accident near the Toll Bar public house on May 11 1930 involving Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Whitelock and Mr. & Mrs. Jack Scott, all of Seaham. Mrs. Scott was killed.

 

 

 

The Liverpool to Newcastle excursion train was derailed by a collision with a horse at Seaham Colliery station at 4 a.m. Monday May 19 1930.

 

 

 

Councillor H.F. Lee opened Seaham Harbour Public Library on June 16 1930. J.E. McCutcheon.

 

 

 

Boiler exploded at Seaham Colliery on June 20 1930. Four men (West, Watson, Smith & Pattison) burnt. West died at Infirmary three days later.

 

 

 

F.W. Botcherby, 15, drowned at Seaham Hall Beach on July 19 1930.

 

 

 

George Carver (Mutt) and two brothers called Pattison from Sunderland were drowned on July 20 1930. One of the bodies (Pattison) was recovered.

 

 

 

Northern commenced a double-decker service to Dawdon from Sunderland on August 3 1930.

 

 

 

Stanley Lamb, 9, was killed by a petrol wagon near Times Inn on September 3 1930.

 

 

 

Retired doctor John Charles French died at his home at Reeth House, Swaledale on September 15 1930.

 

 

 

The first widow to become owner of her house under the new scheme at Londonderry Estate (Low Colliery) was Mrs. James Pendlington of Swallow Street whose husband died in September 1930.

 

 

 

New Seaham Welfare Pavilion opened and flag unfurled October 26 1930

 

 

 

Reubens Arcade opened December 1930.

 

 

 

There was a fatal fire at Vane Terrace, Seaham Harbour on Sunday morning December 14 1930. Miss Mary Watson, 83, and Police Sergeant Little, 47, were both burnt to death.

 

 

 

There was a fatal accident at Dawdon Baths on December 24 1930 when Henry Wilkinson, 27, fell from a scaffold.

 

 

 

George Edward Gordon, a fitter, was found dead on Dawdon Beach January 14 1931. He had been missing from 8 Grants Crescent since December 27 1930.

 

 

 

1931

 

 

 

J. R. Weighill (aged seven and a half) was killed by a motorcar near Dawdon Hill Farm on February 5 1931.

 

 

 

Micky Davison, 57, was killed whilst coal gathering at the Blast February 19 1931.

 

 

 

S.S. Hallmoor came ashore at Hall Beach on February 17 1931. Re-floated Saturday February 21.

 

 

 

A quarrel between Neil Brady, 36, and G.W. Batey, 23, on February 9 1931 led to Brady dying at the Infirmary on March 4. Batey was charged with manslaughter but acquitted by Malcolm Dillon at the Court House on March 11.

 

 

 

W. Barker, 42, of Adolphus Street was found drowned near the Spiles on April 13 1931.

 

 

 

Mrs. Margaret Finn, 44, died in Belgium June 10 1931. She was buried at Seaham Harbour on June 18.

 

 

 

Christopher B. Etherington, 23, was drowned at Seaham Hall Beach on July 19 1931. Body found July 30.

 

 

 

The Graf Zeppelin passed over Seaham at 8.15 a.m. on Wednesday August 19 1931.

 

 

 

Carr House Estate became Deneside by order of the Council on August 25 1931.

 

 

 

Princess Road and Maureen Terrace were laid with a concrete bottom and three inches of tarmac in July and August 1931.

 

 

 

Matthew Cavanagh, 60, found dead on Dawdon Beach September 11 1931.

 

 

 

Seaham Theatre Royal reopened with ‘talkies’ October 5 1931.

 

 

 

John Davison of Cottages Road was killed on the LNER embankment by a train on October 10 1931.

 

 

 

Peter Kenny, 66, of Swinebank Cottages died at Sunderland Municipal Hospital from throat wounds (suspect) on October 22 1931.

 

 

 

Edward F. Flack, 29, died suddenly in the Golden Lion on November 1 1931.

 

 

 

Robert Boad, 59, Checkweighman at Dawdon Colliery, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for stealing monies from local Aged Miners Fund in November 1931.

 

 

 

Miss L. Johnson of Seaham, News of the World Fashion Competition winner, was presented with a cheque for £500 at the Theatre Royal on December 26 1931.

 

 

 

Mrs. M.E. Fletcher (nee Curry) was killed by the rear wheels of a bus when alighting at the Bank, Bath Terrace on December 28 1931.

 

 

 

1932

 

 

 

J.W. Williamson of Seaham Harbour killed at Glasgow on January 7 1932

 

 

 

Dawdon Colliery Pit Head Baths opened January 9 1932.

 

 

 

Rock House opened as an Educational Centre on January 23 1932.

 

 

 

About 1,000 men and boys at Dawdon Colliery were given notice on March 4 1932.

 

 

 

Ralph Burton, 42, a window cleaner was killed by a fall from his ladder in Frances Street on March 11 1932.

 

 

 

A bus at Walter Willson’s corner, Dawdon, killed cyclist Frank Feighan, 13, on March 29 1932.

 

 

 

W.P. Hutchinson, 28, of Sophia Street murdered his wife by cutting her throat and then committed suicide by the same method on April 6 1932.

 

 

 

William Walker, 10, killed on the Braddyll Railway near Foundry Road Crossing on April 13 1932.

 

 

 

Marlborough House, North Terrace closed May 1932 (W. Geggie last landlord)

 

 

 

Thomas Wright of Seaham Harbour was killed by a derrick accident on the Isle of Wight on May 21 1932.

 

 

 

Adam & Eve pub closed and its licence was transferred to the Red Star Hotel in Station Rd. On June 10 1932 (F. Marriott landlord)

 

 

 

Royal Oak in Pilot Terrace closed on June 3 1932. Jim Smith was the last landlord. He died at the Vane Arms on November 28 1933.

 

 

 

The pilots’ motorboat ‘Lady Romaine’ docked at Seaham Harbour on Wednesday July 20 1932.

 

 

 

Deneside coal depot finished and opened August 1932. Leading commenced October.

 

 

 

Steam Auto Car crashed through station gates at Seaham on September 1 1932.

 

 

 

Robert McGauchie, 58, of Seaham died suddenly in the queue at the Labour Exchange in Stewart Street on September 6 1932.

 

 

 

E.J. Mann, 3, of Back Church Street was scalded to death on Sunday September 4.

 

 

 

William Curwen, 18, of Seaham Colliery was drowned September 7 1932. Body found September 14.

 

 

 

Joe Blacklock, Master Shifter at Dawdon Colliery, was sacked for corrupt practices in September 1932 and was sentenced to three months imprisonment for same on October 7 1932.

 

 

 

The Labour Exchange in Church Street opened in the week commencing September 12 1932 under the management of W.L. Grice.

 

 

 

A 3 year old bull was hit by the 7.30 a.m. train to Hartlepool on September 17 1932.

 

 

 

A through road from Dawdon crossing up to Stockton Road, Mount Pleasant and Seaham Colliery was completed in September 1932.

 

 

 

John Smith Savage, 17, of Seaham Colliery was drowned at Seaham Beach on October 2 1932.

 

 

 

There was a fire at the Foundry storehouse on November 17 1932.

 

 

 

Thomas Duggan, 32, missing from his Deneside home, was found dead on Blast Beach on November 23 1932.

 

 

 

Henry Pugh, 61, collapsed and died near Dawdon Hill Farm on November 28 1932.

 

 

 

Seaham Hall Sanatorium extension was opened December 17 1932

 

 

 

The Reverend Thomas Copley, 86, died at Seaham Hall Vicarage on December 30 1932.

 

 

 

1933

 

 

 

Walter Monkhouse, 52, of Frederick Street was found drowned in a well in his garden by his sister Mrs. Griffiths on January 1 1933.

 

 

 

Mr. Joseph Birkbeck, 93, of Seaham Colliery, died on January 5 1933.

 

 

 

Albert Henderson of Frederick Street was killed at the Docks on January 16 1933.

 

 

 

W. Gills killed at Deep Water Quay when a steel grab fell on him February 2 1933.

 

 

 

There was a fire in the Theresa Shaft up-cast at Dawdon Colliery on February 28 1933. An empty cage crashed 1500 feet.

 

 

 

Pole squatting in the district commenced at New Seaham Colliery on May 6 1933 for the Legion Carnival. Eleven entries sat for 48 hours before the contest was decided an eleven-way draw and the contestants divided the prize money, each receiving back exactly what they had put in !

 

 

 

Harbour Master Captain John Adamson died on May 7 1933.

 

 

 

Edward Younger, 7, was killed by a motorbus on the Stockton Road on May 11 1933.

 

 

 

G.F. Leader and his wife were killed in a motor accident on June 13 1933. Their nephew Geoff Leader was driving.

 

 

 

Reg Hunting, 39, of Frances Street was given three months in jail for stealing Mileham’s jewels and money from under the victim’s bed in his own house.

 

 

 

Sewerage pipe extended about 76 feet on North Terrace Beach June 1933.

 

 

 

An Italian armada of 23 Flying Boats passed over Seaham travelling north at 10 a.m. Sunday July 2 1933.

 

 

 

W. Fisher, 9, was drowned near the Featherbed Rock whilst playing on the old railway line on July 11 1933. Eight days later the railway was stripped out under the foremanship of J. Botcherby.

 

 

 

Councillor R. Lawson unfurled a new lodge banner for Dawdon Colliery on July 16 1933.

 

 

 

Edward Hardwick was killed at the Blast whilst gathering coal on May 1 1933.

 

 

 

Vera Heron, 9, of South Terrace was found drowned near the Dock Entrance by J. Willis on July 20 1933.

 

 

 

J.J. Willis commenced pleasure boating on the beach with his motor boat ‘Dorothy’ on the midday tide Friday August 4 1933.

 

 

 

A drinking water fountain was placed at the bottom of North Bank near the shelter hut on Seaham Beach on August 5 1933.

 

 

 

A trapeze snapped at Seaham Harbour Scouts Hut on August 6 1933 and William Shanks, 24, was killed.

 

 

 

Fraulein Freidal Meyer, 24, sailing round the British Isles in a 10 foot yacht, docked at Seaham at 9.15 a.m. August 6 1933

 

 

 

Unemployed Charles McCormack was killed on the LNER near Dawdon Viaduct on August 11 1933.

 

 

 

Fred (Chick) Allen, 68, of Seaham was found drowned at the Dock August 29 1933.

 

 

 

Newcastle to London 11.20 p.m. Express crashed into Dawdon Crossing gates on Friday September 1 1933. The train pulled up but suffered no damage.

 

 

 

Mr. Daniel Coghlan, Manager of the Meadow Dairy, married Miss Gwennie Harman of Chilton House, Dawdon at Seaham Catholic church on the morning and again at St. John’s on Wednesday September 6 1933.

 

 

 

Richard Oakley of Seaham Colliery branch of the DMA was elected Porter at Conhishead Priory Miners Convalescence Home out of 136 applicants in September 1933.

 

 

 

Robert Henry, Pilot, 68, died suddenly at the Dock on Sunday October 8 1933.

 

 

 

James Dickinson, 63, a screener, was drowned in Seaham Dock November 3 1933.

 

 

 

Leslie Allen, 14, of Ivy Avenue, Deneside was killed by a motorbus on Strangford Road on November 13 1933.

 

 

 

Thomas Clark, 65, of School Street, Dawdon died suddenly in Dawdon Pit on November 21 1933.

 

 

 

George Scott, 70, Pilot of Seaham, died on December 11 1933

 

 

 

1934

 

 

 

The body of Robert Kirby, 60, of Dawdon, missing from home since January 2 1934 was found at the Blast on January 15th

 

 

 

Ellis’s Bungalow was burned out on Friday April 6 1934. It was built for Colonel Walsh, Engineer for Pearson & Co., who built the piers and South Dock in 1899.

 

 

 

Miss Mary Brown of Swinebank Cottages was scratched by a bone while cleaning fish and died as a result a few days later on June 16 1934.

 

 

 

Fred Remmer, 39, was killed gathering coal at the Blast on June 29 1934.

 

 

 

A lightning (non-union) strike at Dawdon Colliery resulted in a week off work before restarting on July 1 1934.

 

 

 

William Taylor, a sacker, was killed by a barrel of oil on South Dock Bank on July 6 1934.

 

 

 

The 1st. Durham Light Infantry (400 strong) marched through Seaham in July 1934.

 

 

 

Seaham Colliery Air Engine Chimney Stack (185 feet) was felled on August 31 1934.

 

 

 

Demolition of the Duck Yard under the Slum Clearance Scheme began on September 10 1934.

 

 

 

Mrs. Alice S. Rowell (nee Teasdale) of Helen Street, Dawdon fell from a ladder while cleaning her new residence and died at the Infirmary on September 27 1934

 

 

 

The fish rails at the bottom of Church Street were repaired 3/4 October 1934.

 

 

 

Joseph Wilkins, 39, of Viceroy Street, Seaham Harbour died in the (Rhodes) barber’s chair on November 15 1934.

 

 

 

Thomas Edmundson, 46, was killed near the coal depot at Deneside when a cyclist Thomas Jubb, 32, collided with him.

 

 

 

James Lashley, 20, of Swinebank Cottages fell over the cliffs at Seaham Hall on December 8 1934 and died later at the Infirmary.

 

 

 

Mrs. Stephenson of London cut the first sod of the new oil plant at Dene House Road on December 31 1934.

 

 

 

1935

 

 

 

Old ‘Sinbad’ Dobson, the Pilot, died at Adolphus Street on January 15 1935, aged 94 years and 15 days.

 

 

 

Mrs. Meg Mattimore (nee Heaton), 48, of Caroline Street suffered severe burns on February 1 1935 and died at the Infirmary three days later.

 

 

 

Joe Bates of Alexandrina Street died suddenly on Easter Monday night April 22 1935

 

 

 

Dawdon Dene Park was opened by Councillor J. Winter on April 6 1935.

 

 

 

Anne Burdon died at Dawdon on May 7 1935 aged 94 years and 6 months

 

 

 

Assembly of God Chapel opened in Adolphus Street on May 25 1935.

 

 

 

A human skeleton was unearthed in the Oil Plant field on June 5 1935. Taken away by Police.

 

 

 

Thomas Green, 74, of the Lawns, Deneside collapsed and died in the bus on June 7 1935.

 

 

 

Three generations of Seaham people were killed in a railway crash at Welwyn Garden City on June 16 1935: Mrs. M. Pickering, 58; her daughter Mrs. Ethel White, 20 and her grandson Frederick White, one and three quarters. All had left Seaham 6 months before for a new life at Luton.

 

 

 

On June 27 1935 Joseph Snowball of Dawdon was given 14 months imprisonment for assaults on girls of 14 & 15 at his garden

 

 

 

The S.S. Mauritania passed Seaham on July 3 1935 on her way to Rosyth to be broken up.

 

 

 

Stephenson’s motorboat ‘Leander’ docked at Seaham on Sunday July 14 1935.

 

 

 

The S.S. Maureen, last Londonderry-owned steamship, left Seaham on August 9 1935 to be broken up at Middlesborough. Her length was 310 feet and her breadth was 45 feet.

 

 

 

Stephenson made his first landing near the Oil Plant with an aeroplane on Friday July 26 1935.

 

 

 

The S.S. Olympic passed Seaham on October 13 1935 on her way to Jarrow to be broken up.

 

 

 

Seaham Hall Holiday Camp opened July 1935.

 

 

 

A 20 ton loaded truck crashed over the staiths and fell on to the deck of S.S. Wychwood on August 17 1935.

 

 

 

On August 24 1935 Mrs. Mary A. Tasker, aged 94 years and 9 months, died at Malvern Crescent, Deneside.

 

 

 

David Lloyd of Cornish Street, Seaham Colliery was killed near the Brickworks by Dilly waggons on October 15 1935.

 

 

 

John Brough Neil, 55, of the Edinburgh Castle Hotel was killed at Boldon station on Saturday November 2 1935 by the 5.36 p.m. Sunderland Express.

 

 

 

A new telephone exchange opened on December 11 1935 at Adelaide Row Exchange

 

 

 

Mr. Robert M. Ranken, 44, collapsed and died at Jephtha Ballantyne’s Londonderry Hotel near the Bottleworks on December 12 1935.

 

 

 

There was a fire at the Oil Plant on December 13 1935.

 

 

 

Vaux opened a new hotel “The George Inn’ at Deneside on December 20 1935.

 

 

 

They began pulling down Geoff Carr’s Fruit shop down to make way for Woolworth’s in December 1935. Councillor McChesney opened Woolworth’s on Thursday March 26 1936 for an inspection sale. Opened for normal business the next day.

 

 

 

Four policemen in Houghton-le-Spring Division received the Jubilee Medal of King George V in 1935, including Inspector Coverdale Smith of Seaham and his two constables Stephen and Needham.

 

 

 

1936

 

 

 

The American vessel S.S. West Hika came ashore off Hawthorn Point on January 15 1936 with 38 crew under Captain Sweeting.

 

 

 

On January 18 1936 8 twenty ton trucks crashed over the staiths and into the docks.

 

 

 

All Londonderry collieries started paying weekly on Fridays from March 6 1936.

 

 

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn, 58, of Fox Street, Dawdon committed suicide on March 26 1936.

 

 

 

Mr. George Hope was appointed probation officer at Seaham by Magistrates on Friday April 3 1936.

 

 

 

Work began on a new post office at Seaham in April 1936.

 

 

 

Samuel Thompson, 38, of Bethune Avenue, Deneside committed suicide on August 19 1936.

 

 

 

S.S. West Hika refloated on Friday September 4 1936 and towed to breakers yard at south Stockton.

 

 

 

Wilfred Watt, a 22-year-old single butcher, committed suicide on Monday September 28 1936.

 

 

 

Sunderland Gas Company started collecting from Seaham meters on Thursday October 1 1936.

 

 

 

A billiard hall with twelve tables was opened on October 24 1936 by proprietors P. & O. & V. Vincenti.

 

 

 

1937

 

 

 

Arthur Ferris, a window cleaner, fell from his ladder and was killed in Frederick Street on January 9 1937.

 

 

 

Cosy Picture House opened at Seaham Colliery on January 25 1937.

 

 

 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

 

 Police Inspectors since the commencement

 of Seaham Harbour were:

 

 

 

1) Mr. Smith at John St.

 

2) Mr. Smith at Londonderry Road

 

3) Mr. Burrell

 

4) Mr. Crookshanks

 

5) Mr. Dobson

 

6) Mr. Donegan

 

7) Mr. Briens

 

8) Mr. Banks

 

9) Mr. Morgan

 

10) Mr. Percival

 

11) Mr. Coverdale Smith

 

12) Mr. Dodds

 

13) J.E. Smith

 

14)

 

 

 

 

 

End of the diary of James Coyle’s of Seaham Harbour