OWNERS:

REFERENCES MINES DEPARTMENT:

LOCATION:

(A) Un-numbered Portion, Parish of Cessnock, County of Northumberland

(B) Mining Lease No. 43, Parish of Cessnock.

(C) Relation to neighbouring mines:

(i) West of Aberdare South Colliery.
(ii) East of Bellbird Colliery.
(iii) South of Aberdare East Colliery.

(D) The mine was close to the present village of Kitchener and west of the Cessnock to Quorrobolong Road.

DISTANCES:

(A) Aberdare Central Colliery was 3 miles 1 chain (4.82 kms) distant by road from Cessnock Post Office.

(B) The screens and shafts at Aberdare Central Colliery pit-top were 17 miles 17 chains (27.54 kms) distant by rail from the junction with the NSW Government Railways at East Greta Junction.

AREA:

1926 acres.

SEAM:

The Greta Coal Measures do not out-crop within the Aberdare Central Colliery lease holding, but under-lay the area at depth. The general strike of the Greta Seam under this lease is South 55º East, and dips towards the south at 1 foot in 12 feet.

The seam worked was the Greta Top Seam, which at the shafts was at a depth of 1175 feet. There were 3 bands of intrusions intersecting the seam. Seams were generally considered to be about 30 feet in thickness. The coal itself was of a very friable nature.

Two parallel faults about a mile apart, and both trending south-easterly and north-westerly, traversed the colliery holding. The northern fault was about 30 chains (0.6 kms) north of the shaft and had a down-throw of between 60 to 90 feet. The southern fault was an extension or branch of the Bellbird Fault. This ran across the south-west corner of the holding and had a down-throw of 25 feet.

The roof above the seam in this colliery is generally thick sandstone. A kerosene shale band 5 inches thick occurred 59 feet above the roof of the Greta Top Seam. This kerosene shale band merged into "cannel" coals or sometimes carbonaceous shale.

COMMENCED OPERATIONS:

The sinking of two shafts on the Aberdare Central Colliery lease commenced on Monday 26th October 1914.

A small electricity generating plant was installed at the colliery on Wednesday 28th July 1915. As the sinking work proceeded, small forcing fans were established to provide ventilation in the shafts. Whilst the shaft sinking work was being carried out, a standard gauge branch rail track was constructed to link the Aberdare Railways to Cessnock with this new mine workings. The junction was made at a point near the Kearsley Road level crossing. During 1916 construction was commenced to build pit-top buildings, two poppet heads, dams, etc. The 1917 Mines Department Annual Report informs that the Aberdare Central Colliery shafts had reached the coal seam early that year.

The Aberdare Central Colliery Branch spur railway was completed in September 1917. Records of the East Greta Coal Mining Company, the operator of the Aberdare Railway, show that the junction connection to the main line for proper safe-working was not completed until May 1918. The first full train of coal production despatched from Aberdare Central Colliery for shipment ran on the 15th May 1918. Previous to that date, in the first months of 1918 some "short trains" were hauled by the Caledonian Collieries Company's construction locomotive to the exchange standage loop on the Aberdare Central Colliery Branch Railway adjacent to the main Aberdare Railway. From this loop, the East Greta Coal Mining Company's locomotives hauled these "short trains" to Aberdare Shaft Colliery sidings, from whence this coal was forwarded for shipment as portion of some Aberdare Colliery Up trains.

ENTRY:

Access to Aberdare Central Colliery was provided by two circular shafts, located about 80 yards apart. Each shaft was 18 feet in diameter and were down to a depth of 1175 feet. Although so close, namely 80 yards, one shaft was on Mining Lease No. 80, the other on Mining Lease No. 81.

Both shafts were brick lined throughout. The sandstock bricks were made in a kiln in a creek on the pit property at Aberdare Central Colliery.

The main haulage shaft carried two double-deck cages carrying two skips on each deck. Originally this Aberdare Central haulage shaft had been planned and designed to have two triple-decked cages. A suitably deep sump had been dug to meet this plan. However the triple-deck cages never eventuated. The original winding engine on this shaft was steam driven. In 1929 this steam winding engine was replaced by an electrically driven unit.

The second shaft, the up-cast airway, was usually called the "B" shaft. It also carried a small cage to provide an emergency exit. This cage was steam-driven, and it had a capacity to carry 14 miners. According to one of Aberdare Central Colliery's early winding engine drivers, Mr Peter Baus, who had lived in George Street, Cessnock, this particular cage had a bad and frightening habit. This cage would slip back down some 5 or 6 feet several times during a lift. Mr P. Baus had lived next door to me when I was a youth, and I heard him tell this story on a number of occasions.

Mr Ron Day of 6 Gallagher Street, Cessnock informs that in late 1914, his father, Mr Tom Day, had accompanied this second-hand steam winding engine from the goldfields at Walhalla, Gippsland, Victoria. Mr Tom Day remained as an employee at Aberdare Central Colliery.

After the Caledonian Collieries Company's high tension power line supplied electricity for Aberdare Central Colliery, and the installation of the new electric winding engine on the main haulage shaft in 1929 three boilers at Aberdare Central Colliery were retained in use. This enabled one boiler to be always kept in use to provide emergency haulage at the "B" shaft, and hot water for showers at the bathhouse. Following the 1943 fire, in early 1946 this number had been further reduced to two. In the early 1950's a second-hand electric motor was placed at "B" shaft to raise the emergency cage. Whilst the pit operated, one boiler was kept in service to provide bathhouse hot water.

The "B" shaft also furnished accommodation for a 9 inches diameter cast iron pipe column to carry the pumped up underground pit water out of the mine. Compressed air was also piped down into Aberdare Central Mine via the "B" shaft. Later telephone lines and electricity mains were also channelled down the "B" shaft.

The Aberdare Central Colliery pit bottom was some 20 feet high and 12 feet wide, and it was overlaid with heavy girders of squared timbers. These large timbers were 20 inches square and 20 feet long. this area was completely burnt out and destroyed in the 1943 Aberdare Central Colliery's underground fire. It was rebuilt and replaced under difficult "proto" conditions. (See story later at page 425-431).

METHOD OF WORKING:

The bord and pillar system of mining was followed at Aberdare Central Colliery. In the early days bords were 6 yards wide, and the inter-connecting cut-throughs 4 to 6 yards. Later bords were widened to average between 7 to 9 yards in width. Originally the pillars formed were 38 yards square. Pillars too, were widened later to become 44 yards square in size.

Aberdare Central Colliery was divided into sections and panels. Panels were some 40 acres in area, and these were surrounded by a solid barrier pillar.

The main headings were driven off on a level course at right angles to the seam, and ran "east" and "west" approximately.

First workings were generally made to the nine-foot parting. However in certain parts of the Aberdare Central mine, the parting was not well defined, and as a result, sometimes the first workings height reached 14 to 16 feet above the floor.

Because of the presence of gas in the Aberdare Central coal mine, the use of electricity underground in the first years was restricted to only some 20 lamps to light the shaft pit-bottom area. The 1927 Mines Department Annual Report shows 645 miners safety lamps. These electric lamps had been supplied by "CEAG Limited". 100 such lamps had been purchased in 1922.

Coal cutting machines were utilised. The mine had almost from commencement, had 6 Sullivan chain breast machines. These were driven by compressed air. The colliery's air compressing plant had consisted of two units, one of 3000 cubic feet capacity, the second of 2000 cubic feet. This compressed air was piped into the mine via the up-cast air shaft at a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch.

The 1936 Mines Department Annual Report informs that Aberdare Central Colliery had been idle from June to October 1936 (5 months) due to a dispute over the use of electric coal cutters. This electric cutter was the Mayor and Coulson "arc-wall" type with an 8 feet 6 inches cutter blade and operating on 415 volts 50 amps 50 cycles. A mining industrial court hearing finally found that this type of cutter was quite safe and should be used.

First mechanisation was introduced at Aberdare Central Colliery about 1938, firstly with Samson's "34T" low head cutters, a short squat unit. In 1939 a second type Samson unit was introduced. In this machine, the head rotated 360º, and it had a cutting bar which could also rotate 360º. Coal so produced was loaded into skips through an oscillating trough system.

In the colliery's first years all underground haulage was performed by pit-horses. About 1930 an electrically driven endless rope haulage on a 2 feet 2 inches wide skip gauge rail track was installed in the main heading. Jig haulages were employed in the "rise" workings to convey skips to the main heading's endless rope haulage. Pit-horses were continued to be used on the flat areas.

The 1943 fire resulted in half the possible work area being sealed off. In 1947 following the reclamation work, coal was won by grunching down, and a "Joy" duck-bill loader was utilised to lift the production. In the 1950's shuttle cars were used in the dips workings. Some further mechanisation was added in the late 1950's in the form of 8 BU's. A long haul from the Bellbird and Kalingo Collieries boundary areas was made by a series of conveyor belts in tandem to bring the coal to a holding bin closer to the shaft bottom. From the bin, coal was reloaded into skips to be lifted out of the pit. On 25th January 1960 Caledonian Collieries Limited purchased two Le Norce continuous mining machines and ancillary equipment at a cost of £103,500-0-0 ($207,000.00) for use in the Aberdare Central Colliery mechanised working.

MINE HAULAGE:

The original winding engine on the main haulage shaft at Aberdare Central Colliery was steam powered. It was a second-hand engine that had previously been used on the goldfields in Victoria. A hearsay statement expressed that this winding engine had been manufactured by Walkers Limited Engineering Works, Maryborough, Queensland. A fact that is supported by later Aberdare Central Colliery action.

This early steam winder had an enormous crankshaft, about 25 feet long and some 16 inches in diameter. The shaft had a drum in the middle. On each end of the shaft was a disc, 5 feet in diameter and 9 inches thick. This gave a view of the shaft to make it appear like a huge cotton reel. In early 1923 the shaft was found to be cracked. Rather than stop the colliery operations whilst a replacement was obtained, the damaged winder engine was allowed to continue to be worked at a slower speed and with a reduced load.

A new shaft was manufactured at Walkers Limited, No. 23 Bowen Street, Maryborough, Queensland. I visited this engineering works to examine their records. Mr K.L. Kendall, the manager, told me that much of his company's old records had been destroyed due to lack of filing space, particularly when this engineering works moved from the manufacture of steam engines (winding, etc.) to the construction of electric winding motors. It also has commenced the building of Queensland State Railway vehicles. (Author's note: Quite a large supplier, very similar in size and activities to Goninans Limited, Newcastle). The Walkers Limited manager stated further, that because his company had made this new crankshaft, it appeared almost certain that the original steam winding engine had also to be one that his company had manufactured.

When the new shaft arrived at Aberdare Central Colliery from Queensland it was installed in one weekend without any loss of coal production. The new shaft did not have disc ends, and the crank fitted direct to the shaft. One cage was rested on the pit-bottom. The other cage was held at the top by timber girders placed across the shaft mouth. The colliery's shaft haulage ropes were clamped, and the winding engine's shaft change-over was made.

The main haulage shaft had a lattice steel poppet head, which carried two double-deck cages. Each cage carried two skips on each deck. Caledonian Collieries Limited Company had originally designed for two triple-decked cages to operate in the main haulage shaft. A suitable deep sump had been dug to meet this plan. However over the colliery's life only the two-deck type cages were utilised. The original lifting wire ropes (cables) were 8 inches in circumference and had been specially imported from England. All ropes had a safety factor breaking strain of seven times the maximum load. All ropes were replaced and renewed every 7 years. After the original main shaft cables, all new ropes were supplied by the Wire Rope Works Company, Newcastle. When winding coal with a hot steam engine, 4 skips were lifted the 1250 feet in 25 seconds. The miners were raised at a slower speed of 40 seconds, and lowered down at a rate of 33 seconds.

The winding engine was housed in a fine white brick building, with "church arch style" windows located reasonably close to the shaft. The roof was of galvanised iron.

The up-cast airway shaft ("B" shaft) had a timber poppet head, which was second-hand. Unsupported information advised that both the poppet head and its steam winding engine had previously been used at the Occidental Company Copper Mine at Cobar. My own personal investigation and research at Cobar, at that town's historical museum and library failed to find any details to support this claim, which said that Caledonian Collieries Company had purchased the gear following the closure of the copper mine about 1915. The "B" shaft airway carried a small cage, which had the capacity to lift 6 miners at a time in the event of an emergency. The winding engine operating this cage was steam driven.

A new winding engine with a "Ward-Leonard" control for use on the main haulage shaft was supplied on 23rd November 1926 by Metropolitan Vickers Limited of England at a cost of £29,000-0-0 ($58,000.00). The new electric winder was installed adjacent to the old steam winder at the shaft and poppet head. An extension plus a new front was added to the brick winding engine house to accommodate the new electric winder. The winder had two engines, one at each end, and each of 2240 horse power. The engines were supplied with direct current electricity from a single 750 horse power alternating current driven generator. During 1929 the new high-tension transmission line from Caledonian Collieries Company's Cockle Creek powerhouse supplied electricity to Aberdare Central Colliery.

The connectors from the generator were 7 spaced copper bars, each 4 inches in width by a ¼ inch thickness. The actual switches were similar in purpose to the "breaker" points on a car. These switches were renewed and replaced annually by representatives of Metropolitan Vickers Limited.

A huge 15 feet diameter fly-wheel was utilised. When this wheel gained full momentum, it was capable of lifting loaded cages, 2½ times, without further power. (Author's note: After the closure of Aberdare Central Colliery, this particular fly-wheel was transferred and has been placed on public display at Aberdare Park, Cessnock, adjacent to the Cessnock City Bowling Club, as part of the District's exhibition on mining equipment).

Steam for the early winding engine, the electricity generation units, air compressor, and other steam needs, was supplied from a bank of boilers. There has been some conflict in information given to me plus my research as to the actual maximum number of boilers that operated at Aberdare Central Colliery. (Author's note: Although not confirmed indications appear to show that the maximum boiler numbers totalled six). With the supply of electricity by the Cockle Creek transmission power line, boiler numbers seem to have been reduced to three. Subsequent to the 1943 fire and the Aberdare Central Colliery's re-opening of mining operations, the boiler numbers was reduced to 2 operating boilers, with one of the two on "stand-by" or "back-up". When a second-hand electric motor was installed on the "B" shaft to provide cage-haulage, only one boiler was retained, maintained and operated.

A 150 feet tall colliery chimney stack was erected early in the colliery history. This was of a circular tapering type, being of 9 feet diameter at the base reducing to a 4 feet diameter circle at its top. The colliery stack had been constructed from white bricks manufactured at Bakers Brickyards, East Maitland.

The early underground haulage had been provided by pit-horses. About 1930 an electrically driven endless rope haulage operated in the main headings. Jigs haulage was employed in the rise workings. Pit horses also worked in appropriate areas. In the mid 1950's with further additions to mechanisation working, a series of conveyor belts operating in tandem brought coal to a 200 tons holding bin reasonably close to the shaft pit bottom. From this bin coal was reloaded into skips to be raised up in the cages.

In the early 1950's with the increase in the mechanisation working, the colliery management directed that the miners should enter and leave the mine via the "B" shaft cage. This policy was implemented to maintain a steady and regular flow of the lifting of the coal from the mechanisation production.

Stone-dusting was carried out on a regular basis.

PIT-HORSES:

Pit-horses were utilised in coal haulage movement underground. These horses were stabled underground during the working week. During the weekends, holidays or periods of strikes, the horses were surfaced and rested in a paddock adjoining the Cessnock to Kitchener Road.

A "Special Reference" should be made to the high esteem and feeling that existed between the miners and their pit-horses. Their joint work life shared in the underground and in the darkness. Mining men will without reservation respond to a call for assistance at any time, particularly underground and in their usual traditions will risk their own life to rescue their workmates if there is such a need. So it was in the 1943 Aberdare Central Colliery fire. When the position was bad and getting worse, as the fire grew apace and nothing could be done to check it, when common-sense dictated that all should go to the surface, a group of men agreed, that whilst there was a chance of rescuing their old friends, the pit horses, it was their duty to stay below. This was a group of some 20 persons, including mining proto-men, colliery managers, lodge officials, plus others, who lingered and risked all to save the horses, highly nervous, and almost uncontrollable. The pit-horses were lifted in the cages one at a time. Finally 81 horses were rescued out of a total of 91. A fine act of gratitude from men to their fellow work-mates, the pit-horses.

VENTILATION:

When the shafts sinkings at Aberdare Central Colliery commenced in October 1914, the first ventilation was by natural means. However on the 28th July 1915, as the shaft depths increased, a small electricity generation plant, (7½ kW producing 240 pressure volts), was installed to drive forcing air fans.

The coal seam was reached during 1917, but full trains of coal production were not despatched until May 1918. With increasing production, and the need for more fresh air, a "Jeffrey" fan was installed in late 1918. This was an identical unit to that installed at Aberdare South Colliery. It does seem probable that both these fans were purchased by Caledonian Collieries Limited Company at the same period.

The Jeffrey fan was of the double inlet type unit. It was 12 feet in diameter, and 6 feet in width. The fan was driven by a 500 horse powered electric motor (2200 volts). It operated at 156 revolutions per minute at a 1½ inches water gauge, supplying fresh air at the rate of 250,000 cubic feet per minute.

ELECTRICITY GENERATION PLANT:

The first electricity generation plant was constructed at Aberdare Central Colliery on the 28th July 1915. This was a small 7½ kW unit producing direct current electricity at 250 pressure volts.

In 1918 the above small production unit was removed and replaced by a larger 500 kW plant producing alternating current electricity at 6,600 pressure volts. A timber structure cooling tower was erected to operate in conjunction with this plant. This new plant supplied electric power for 100 surface and 15 underground lights, as well as operating the fan and one pump.

A further 900 kW generation plant was installed during 1923. This also produced alternating current electricity at 2200 pressure volts. Research revealed that electricity power for domestic use in the village of Kitchener was supplied from the Aberdare Central Colliery electricity generation following the installation of the 900 kW generation plant in 1923. In 1927 when the Caledonian Collieries Company transmitted its 33000 volts electricity from Cockle Creek Powerhouse, the Kitchener village domestic supply was integrated into the "Town Supply System" controlled by Aberdare Extended Colliery.

ELECTRICITY GENERATION PLANT:

The 1927 Mines Department's Annual Report records that in that year at Aberdare Central Colliery there were 700 surface and underground lights, electric haulage motors, and 3 electric pumps plus other electric appliances requiring electrical power.

Mr Ron Day of 6 Gallagher Street, Cessnock, informs that in 1944, he was a "staff" employee at Aberdare Central pit. Because the mine at that time, had been sealed down due to the 1943 underground fire, he in company with other "staff" were directed to demolish the old generator plant. Mr R. Day states that whilst the generator only produced a small output of electricity, the unit was of an enormous size. All brass and cast iron from this plant was sold for scrap.

PUMPS:

Research has failed to reveal the name of the manufacturer of the pumps, or their types, utilised underground at Aberdare Central Colliery. The 1927 Annual Report of the Mines Department informs that in that year 3 electric pumps were in use at this mine.

Surplus underground pit-water was pumped up a 9 inches diameter cast iron column pipe suspended in the "B" airway shaft.

An early Aberdare Central Colliery pit-top hand told me that the pump was a noisy three-throw type. Water came out of the pipe with tremendous pressure. On occasions this water was used to wash out the cages to get rid of spilt coal. The water spray jet sending 10 inches thick coal lumps hurtling for distances of 20 to 25 feet.

Following the resumption after the 1943 fire, all pumps were replaced by electric flame-proof motors. When the mine closed these pumps were recovered. The brass and cast iron were sold as scrap.

AIR COMPRESSORS:

The original compressed air unit was utilised in the sinking of the shaft. This unit was steam driven.

Later the compressed air unit plant was situated in the electricity generation powerhouse building at the colliery. The compressed air was piped down into the mine via the "B" shaft. Mr William Humble, a Mines Department Chief Inspector in a paper published in 1921 describing methods of operation at Aberdare Central Colliery states that due to the presence of gas, six "Sullivan" chain breast coal cutter machines driven by compressed air were utilised. Further that the air compressing plant consisted of two units, one of 2000 cubic feet capacity, and the other of 3000 cubic feet.

In 1930 these air compressors were changed from being steam driven to be belt driven by a 500 horse powered electric motor. The 12 feet long connecting rods were not removed, but were tied up to the powerhouse roof.

RAIL CONNECTION:

In February 1916 Caledonian Collieries Limited Company advised the Board of Control of the Aberdare Railways Company that it planned to link both its new collieries, Aberdare South and Aberdare Central to the Aberdare Railway Main Line by branch spur tracks, both joining at Bellbird Junction Signal Box. Further Caledonian Collieries suggested that the rail junctions should be at Aberdare Railway Company's expense. Finally in July 1916 following discussions with the East Greta Coal Mining Company, the operator of the Aberdare Railways, it was decided that for better haulage operations on the branch tracks, that the new branch spur lines should link to the Aberdare Railways main line, thus, Aberdare South Colliery at 12 miles 3 chains (19.26 kms), and Aberdare Central Colliery at 13 miles 34 chains (21.48 kms). The Board of Control of the Aberdare Railways Company through its operator, the East Greta Coal Mining Company was to supply all necessary materials and signalling equipment. The East Greta Coal Mining Company was also to provide its trained employees to make the proper safe-working connections at both Aberdare South and Aberdare Central Junctions. The East Greta Coal Mining Company's total cost for both junctions was £1,701-8-1 ($3,402.81).

In late 1916 construction of the single track standard gauge branch railway was commenced. The Aberdare Central Colliery branch railway was 2 miles 39 chains (3.98 kms) in length to the entry into the colliery yard, or 2 miles 63 chains (4.56 kms) to a point opposite the screens. Construction appears to have been made with day labour by Caledonian Collieries Limited using its own employees. This gang was under the supervision of Mr ? Quigan, as the construction ganger; and Mr "Ike" Locock, as the clearing foreman. The railway branch spur line was completed in September 1917 in the Mines Department's records the railway is shown as being laid on Mining Lease No. 61.

Aberdare South Colliery, its neighbouring company mine, at this same period, was having its branch railway link being constructed by contractors, J.M. and H.E. Coane. Caledonian Collieries Limited had transferred a locomotive from its Killingworth Branch Railway on the Newcastle field, to assist in the ballasting and track laying operations. This locomotive, affectionately nicknamed "Dinah", was an "0-6-0" wheeled saddle-tank engine, built by Manning Wardle and Company of Leeds, England. With a view to lessening later coal freight haulage charges, it was the Company's intention to utilise this locomotive at both Aberdare South and Aberdare Central Collieries to haul coal over their respective branch railways to exchange loops adjacent to their connecting point to the Aberdare Railway Main Line. On the Aberdare Central Colliery branch railway on the pit side of the Cessnock to Kearsley main road (Highway No. 82), a loop siding 15 chains (0.3 kms) was constructed about 22 chains (0.44 kms) from the junction entry on the main line railway. In actual fact Caledonian Collieries Limited itself only hauled some "short" trains to this exchange loop for just a few months, whilst awaiting completion of the junction connection. Such "short" trains of loaded coal wagons were hauled to Aberdare Shaft Colliery by the East Greta Coal Mining Company for remarshalling and despatch as part of an Aberdare Shaft Colliery train for shipment.

In April 1918 an agreement was reached with the East Greta Coal Mining Company, the operators of the Aberdare Railway, that the East Greta Company should carry out the rail haulage including on the spur line tracks of all the Caledonian Collieries coal production from all the Caledonian Collieries mines on the South Maitland field direct from the pits. First full train of Aberdare Central Colliery coal production was despatched on Wednesday 15th May 1918.

Aberdare Central Colliery sidings were a well designed yard. Seven loaded wagons standage sidings could hold in excess of 300 vehicles. A similar number of sidings held the empty wagons to be gravitated to the loading points at the screens. A running road ran on the western side of the colliery sidings. A run-around loop, (capacity 60 vehicles in the clear), was situated on the outside (western) of the running road. It ran parallel and adjacent to the loaded vehicles standage sidings. After being run around, the inwards train's loads of empty wagons were propelled into a long shunting neck, which headed in a southerly direction, to be gravitated back into the empty vehicles sidings, as required.

Mr J. Lane, a well known Cessnock bricklayer of that period was engaged to build a small one-roomed red brick signal-box, with a sloping skillion type corrugated galvanised iron roof. This was situated at the junction to the main Aberdare Railway to Cessnock. Mr Lane's tender price had been £91-3-0 ($181.30).

As recorded earlier, the Board of Control of the Aberdare Railway Company arranged the supply of the necessary safe-working equipment, as well as its installation by East Greta Coal Mining Company's employees. In addition to the interlocked entry points to the Aberdare Central Colliery rail spur branch, a set of right-running crossover points from the Down Main to the Up Main on the main line railway for "Central" trains was constructed on the Maitland side of the Aberdare Central Junction signal-box. The signal box housed a 15 levers McKenzie and Holland interlocking frame.

On the main line at Aberdare Central Junction signal-box, the safe-working system was the "Tyer's one-wire three-position" block telegraph instruments. At the time of its installation this unit cost £77-1-9 ($154.19). This unit was equipped with a "cut-out" lever to make the block section, Neath - Caledonia, when the Aberdare Central Junction was not required for the working of rail traffic to or from Aberdare Central Colliery. The signal-box was staffed and operated, as required, by East Greta Coal Mining Company's railway employees, (later South Maitland Railways employees), from the Caledonian Railway station personnel.

The safe-working system operating on the Aberdare Central Branch Railway was the "ordinary staff". The staff was the Annette Key, which operated the lock on the catch points located just clear of the entry to the Aberdare Central Colliery sidings. This was adjacent to the Cessnock to Kitchener (Highway No ?) road level crossing. South Maitland Railways Traffic Working Circular No. 51 dated 27th October 1921 announced the introduction of the "ordinary staff key" authority.

When the Aberdare Central Colliery closed in November 1961, the branch rail line went into disuse. During the early 1970's, Coal and Allied Limited, the then owners, "cannibalised" large sections of the track of its rails and sleepers. Today only a few areas of track remain. In about 1977, when the greater part of the Aberdare Central Colliery pit-top and its structures were demolished, likewise the rail wagons standage sidings were removed, mainly by Balcolm Brothers, Newcastle scrap metal dealers.

From the mid 1960's, until it too was demolished about the end of 1977, the Aberdare Central Colliery Junction signal-box was badly vandalised. The interlocking frame, the telephone and the safe-working instruments were recovered by South Maitland Railways Pty. Ltd., and placed and stored in their workshops at East Greta Junction.

RAIL WAGONS:

As for all the Caledonian Collieries Limited Company's mines on the South Maitland field, all coal production was transported by rail from Aberdare Central Colliery in the wooden hopper style coal rail wagon belonging to the Caledonian Collieries fleet. As has already been fully described in the Aberdare South Colliery section pages 396-398. The fleet wagons were painted a burnt red colour, with the letter-brand "A" over-painted in white. See the pages referred to for further wagon details.

From the early war years Caledonian Collieries Company developed a vigorous trade in the supply of coal for country gas works. Aberdare Central Colliery supplied much of this coal. The NSW Government Railways steel "S" type (15 tons capacity) were used to transport such orders.

SPECIAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

(A) PIT-TOP:

The pit-top structures at Aberdare Central Colliery was elevated over the rail sidings. Its longest part, some 180 feet long by 60 feet wide ran from the poppet head and cages out to the tumbler-tipplers. This section had a hip style roof clad with galvanised corrugated iron. Another portion of the pit-top, some 60 feet long by 50 feet wide ran from the long section out over the screens and the loading points on the rail sidings. It too had a "hip" style roof clad with galvanised corrugated iron.

Immediately in line with the long section pit-top and the poppet head were two fine light coloured brick buildings. Both these had cathedral style windows. The first housed the winding engine. This building had an unusual shaped roof to allow the haulage winding rope free access to the drum. It was some 50 feet square and 25 feet high walls.

The "B" shaft had a separate light brick building on the roadside of the poppet head to house its independent winding engine. Other pit-top structures contained the various trade shops, i.e. fitters, carpenters, etc.

(B) COLLIERY HOUSES:

Fine houses were constructed in the pit's early years for use by the manager and under-manager.

Subsequent to the Company's closure of Aberdare South Colliery in November 1927, in mid 1928 Caledonian Collieries Limited decided that it could put to better use the then empty colliery houses at that mine. Four houses were shifted whole by bullock team transport, to be relocated opposite the Aberdare Central mining property on sites on Quorrobolong Road, Kitchener. These cottages were to provide accommodation for the engineer, electrician, storeman and chief clerk.

To support the solidarity of their construction, these houses still stand in good condition today.

(C) DAM:

A dam was constructed by day labour utilising horses and drays in a creek depression, adjacent to the colliery, on its western side, to provide water necessary for its boilers' use.

FIRST COLLIERY MANAGER:

Mr S.H. "Bunny" Warburton became the first manager on 26th October 1914. Previously Mr Warburton had been named by Caledonian Collieries Company as their manager at Aberdare South Colliery following their purchase of this colliery on the 5th September 1913.

FIRST COLLIERY UNDER-MANAGER:

On 24th March 1917 Mr George Marshall was appointed as the first under-manager at this mine.

FIRST CHIEF CLERK:

Mr Les Mayo.

FIRST SURVEYOR:

Mr ? Thompson.

FIRST ENGINEER:

Mr George Hancock.

SHIPPING AND COAL HANDLING AGENT AS AT COLLIERY'S COMMENCEMENT:

Howard Smith Limited
Paul's Chambers
Bolton Street, Newcastle.

BRIEF HISTORY:

A précis of the history of Caledonian Coal Company, which later became Caledonian Collieries Limited was given on pages 401-404. That history will not be duplicated in this section, except where it complements the Aberdare Central Colliery History.

The success of the Company's Aberdare Shaft and Aberdare Extended coal workings had encouraged Caledonian Collieries Limited on 5th September 1913, to purchase from Messrs A. and A.H. Shedden, the partners' Abernethy Main Colliery. Caledonian Collieries promptly renamed the pit Aberdare South Colliery. A large area of their mining coal lease, south of the Aberdare Shaft and Aberdare Extended pits and west of their new purchase, Aberdare South Colliery, was still unworked.

Caledonian Collieries Limited Company decided to win this coal by sinking another shaft mine. Working on sinking such a shaft commenced on Monday 26th October 1914.

Jim Dorrington, an experienced rock miner, was placed in charge of the gang sinking the shafts. Amongst his gang was Jim Roberts. (Author's note: Jim Roberts was later father-in-law to Jimmy Hayes, recently Northern President of the Miners' Federation, Newcastle). Jim Roberts was a steam engine driver, who operated a bucket to transport men, tools and spoil in the shafts. Some others of the first actual shaft mining gang were Harry Hawkins, Charlie Costello and Bill Sanderson. In latter years Bill Sanderson became very well known throughout Cessnock and the district for his "meat pie" made in his ovens, then situated on the site of the present Cessnock Workers Club.

The opening of the Aberdare Central mine and its winning of coal in September 1917 attracted numerous mine workers, many of whom lived in shacks around the new pit. The names of some such miners still remain as family names throughout Cessnock and the region. Billy Plumb, Glen McGarvie, Jim Kearns, Jim Davis, Tom Day, Albert McBeath, to name just a few. These mine workers soon brought their families to join them at their shacks, and the village of Kitchener adjoining Aberdare Central Colliery came into existence.

The reason for the naming of the village as Kitchener is not known. It would seem that like the other "Boer-naming" of some other mining villages, i.e. Spion Kop, indicated the influence of the Boer War. It may also be reasonably assumed that some of these early miners had been Boer War veterans, our first Australian volunteers to fight overseas. This Boer War influence at Kitchener even carried over to the naming of the local inn, the Khartoum Hotel. This hotel licence had been transferred from Morpeth to Kitchener in 1925.

Kitchener was proclaimed as a village by the NSW Lands Department on the 23rd February 1917. A temporary school was opened on the 7th February 1916 by the Education Department in a timber hall leased from a Mr J. Lawson for 12 shillings and 6 pence ($1.26) per week rent. The first school teacher was George L. Evans, who had 22 pupils (10 boys and 12 girls). First public transport was a horse-drawn bus operated by the Batterham family. In a short time, this gave way to petrol charabancs and small motorised omnibuses. These not only transported the Kitchener residents, but also the colliery mine workers to and fro from their homes in Cessnock. The Batterham family still operate a bus service for Kitchener people.

The Kitchener village had its local houses and streets lit by electricity before June 1926. This power was supplied form the Aberdare Central Colliery electricity generation plant.

Like other pits Aberdare Central Colliery had its share of mining accidents and occurrences. A particular incident at the Aberdare Central Colliery that played a significant role in the coalfields' history was an underground fire. This caused the mine to be sealed off, following the fire on Saturday 24th July 1943. The recovery of a sealed colliery at such a great depth almost 12 months later was the result of an outstanding achievement by special teams of mine workers labouring in proto-teams trained and supervised by the Mines Rescue Station. Another chapter in the Coalfield's great history.

Some press reports of the July 1943 Aberdare Central Colliery fire claim that the cause was due to spontaneous combustion in the coal. Some Aberdare Central Colliery miners of that time have stated that the cause was due to an electric cable "shorting out" and igniting fine coal dust, which in turn lit the timbers behind the pumps on the east side of the pit. And the fire was away.

The centre of the fire appears to have been some 300 yards from the underground stables. Only one mine deputy, two horse-grooms and 91 pit-horses were underground at the start of the fire. Deputy Tom Barrett in his normal routine check had passed this area and had found everything in order. When he returned a short time later his path was cut off by fire and gases. Tom Barrett hurriedly made his way back to the pit-bottom by a roundabout route. Even then he had to pass through heavy smoke, strong heat and very odorous gases. In many areas he was forced to use his "deputy's stick" to feel and guide his way. The management and officials were quickly notified. As in all mining disasters, not only were the administrators and management soon on the scene, but so too were mining union officials, off duty coal miners, and Mines Rescue Station teams. All had gathered to examine and evaluate the situation. The Mines Rescue Station Superintendent George Emery, Mines Department Inspectors D. Durham, M. Moon and L. Davies, the Coal Mines Check Inspector W.H. "Bill" May, Aberdare Central Lodge Check Inspector Fred Creswell, Miners' Federation National General President Harold Wells, and the Federation General Secretary W. Grant, to name just some of the early arrivals.

The Aberdare Central Colliery manager, Mr Fred "Swinger" Hemmingway and a group of Mines Rescue Station personnel all attired in "proto-suits" endeavoured to reach the seat of the fire. The "proto-suit" worn was the accident dress especially designed for this type of mining disaster. The equipment, with its mouth and nose mask, plus carrying air bottles on their back, is cumbersome and heavy, but vital and necessary in these efforts. The attempt to reach the fire's seat failed.

Because of violent roof movements, the intensity of the fire, and its quick growth to uncontrollable proportions, Manager Fred "Swinger" Hemmingway made a sound wise decision to evacuate the mine and to seal off the pit, and to thus force the fire out by lack of oxygen. Firstly it was decided to rescue the 91 horses in the underground stables. In the area smoke billowed and belched, flames leapt over 30 feet in height at the pit-bottom roof, stench and unpleasant odours, all factors that stirred the horses causing them to buck and jump, making this rescue attempt extremely difficult. One feature recalled by an observer underground in this period, was that every time a cage took a horse up the shaft, it also had a load of scared rats, who sensed the cage was the gateway to safety. Nobody had to lead or persuade the rats that it was time to leave. This brave, courageous attempt in which many of the rescuers were badly burnt and scorched on their hands, faces and clothing, saved 81 horses.

Then followed an equally hazardous task by the Rescue Station "proto-men" and the coal miners, who volunteered to seal the two Aberdare Central Colliery Shafts. First endeavours were made to seal both shafts simultaneously. When the "B" shaft up-cast airway blew the would-be seal, the decision was made to seal the main haulage shaft first.

Almost a super human effort. One must always remember the horrific and terrifying conditions that appertained. Huge columns of black smoke pouring out of the shafts - the possibility of the underground creations of poisonous gases in huge volumes swirling up in this smoke. A situation experienced by miners over many generations in many similar underground fires. Add to that the fear of a sudden explosion that could destroy the efforts made to curb and control the inferno. Thoughts that were entrenched by previous colliery disasters, such as Bulli (1883), Greta (1900), Stanford Merthyr (1905), and Bellbird (1923) where the loss of life and the damage was so high. Miners have such courage in these periods of urgent need. Personal care is forgotten in their urgency to protect their source of employment. This was the motivation, that carried this band of men to mighty deeds.

Working in their special "proto-suites", supported and held by slings around their bodies, dangling in the 1200 feet drop, the Rescue Station proto-men and the volunteers placed large 12 inches diameter pit-props, the size and length of telegraph or power line poles, some 30 feet down from the surface top of the shaft. These poles were laid north and south atop the shaft's buntons. The huge poles or props were overlaid crossways with sawn timber pieces. This sawn timber was 8 inches wide by 2 inches thick wooden hopper wagon side boards of varying length. On top of the sawn timber, some layers of hessian brattice was laid. The brattice in turn was covered by clay, from 12 to 15 inches in thickness. The clay was watered and puddled in. Then loose sand was added to a depth of some 4 feet. In the first instance a stack of sandbags covered the sand. Later the sandbags were removed, and a concrete tank was constructed to form a water seal.

When the main haulage shaft seal had been completed, the "B" shaft received a similar seal. After 10 days the seal on the "B" shaft had to be replaced when it was found that the original seal on this shaft was found to be leaking.

As is common and traditional of all such mining tragedies, the women of Kitchener, wives of Aberdare Central Miners backed and supported the workers and persons involved. An improvised kitchen provided all workers with a hot supper. Up to the completion of the sealing work, over 100 meals were partaken.

Aberdare Central Colliery was effectively closed by the seals. In so doing this caused a severe blow not only to some 600 miners, who were displaced, nor not only to the owners, Caledonian Collieries Limited Company, who lost their profits, but more importantly at that period, to the Commonwealth War Effort. In those serious days, when 2000 tons of bombs were being dropped daily by England onto Germany, a daily production drop of almost 2000 tons of Australia's finest coal from Aberdare Central Colliery was in itself a tremendous War Effort loss. Thus the decision to seal the pit by the colliery manager, Fred Hemmingway was big, bold and momentous. It was warmly applauded and complimented by all the mining representatives gathered, and particularly by Mr Harold Wells, National President of the Miners Federation.

The displaced Aberdare Central Colliery miners as a result of the fire were found alternative work in other South Maitland pits. At that particular period of mining history, coal production was only made on the day shift. Despite the mine owners' desire to win coal on all shifts around the clock, the Miners Federation and its miners members had held to the principle of "single shift production" as a vital right and a concession hard won. So it was a strong indication of "their mateship and their sympathy", when the working of an afternoon production shift at both Aberdare Shaft and Aberdare Extended pits was permitted by the Northern Executive of the Miners Federation to accommodate some of the displaced miners. In all, some 374 Aberdare Central Colliery miners were absorbed on a temporary basis into the workforces of the Aberdare Shaft and the Aberdare Extended Collieries. 200 other Aberdare Central miners were also temporarily placed in neighbouring pits.

Twelve months later, in July 1944, the recovery of the Aberdare Central Colliery was commenced. This was the first attempt in any part of the world to regain a closed and sealed mine at such depth. It was an equally dangerous and hazardous undertaking as had been the actual sealing at the time of the fire. In coal mines where entry had been made by a tunnel or a drift, and which were lost by a fire or an explosion, such as Bellbird Colliery, reclamation from the surface was able to advance steadily by building a progressive series of air-locks. Here, at Aberdare Central Colliery, it was a sheer drop of almost 1200 feet into unknown conditions.

A bore, into which a test pipe had been inserted, indicated that the fire had been extinguished but that poisonous gases were present. There was the fear too, that if fresh air was allowed to enter Aberdare Central Colliery freely, the fire might re-ignite. Firstly the seal, the blanket that had extinguished the fire, had to be removed. Then air locks had to be constructed over each shaft. These air locks were structures, 12 feet long by 8 feet wide by 6 feet high, with two padded doors operated in such a way as to prevent the air getting into the coal mine. Similar to the sealing, this risky and perilous work of removing the seal and building the air locks was performed by "proto-teams" who worked in Rescue Station suits. Restricted and handicapped by their equipment weighing some 40 pounds (16 kg) on their backs, protected by slings and safety ropes as they worked adjacent to the shafts.

The cage, which was to lower the recovery teams to the pit-bottom, was submitted to long tests. The normal running time for cage working under ordinary conditions had been one minute up or down. In this first cage drop under this special situation it took 22 minutes to descend. This test cage had been loaded with sand bags equivalent to the anticipated weight of human freight and equipment. The slow speed descent did indicate that the shaft and cage guides were intact. Five times the operation of lifting the cage up and down was made by winding engine driver, Mr Jim Roberts to dispel any doubts about the cage working efficiency.

At 11.28 a.m. Saturday 1st July 1944 under the watchful eye of a small crowd of mining officials, mine managers and miners, standing in the rain, observed the first proto-team make its descent to inspect the fire area.

The reclamation work of recovering Aberdare Central Colliery carried out by teams wearing proto-suits and breathing apparatus is an "epic" in its own right. A tribute to the courage of the workmen, the ability of the manager, and the determination of the company, Caledonian Collieries Limited. Credit for the success of the recovery operation must be given to the manager, Mr Fred "Swinger" Hemmingway. Fred prepared numerous "blueprints" as to all kinds of conditions and hazards, that might be anticipated. Progress was slow. The wonderful achievement of recovering a deep shaft mine from the ravages of a violent underground fire involved the group of mine workers for several years operating under the most arduous and dangerous conditions.

Some 22 men from the large number of volunteers were divided into 3 teams of 5 or 6, with some reserves available. Their first task to erect a series of air-locks to control the ventilation and air currents in the mine. After which the recovering teams worked behind the seal locks. The Newcastle Morning Herald newspaper in its issue dated 16th August 1944 informed its readers that the air lock seals at the bottom of both shafts at Aberdare Central Colliery had just been completed.

Each team worked 1½ hours behind the seals. Two teams went down in the cage each morning. The first team entered the lock to work behind the seal. The second team remained at the seal entry "at the ready" in case of an emergency. The third team stopped on top in close proximity to the shaft also in case of "a call". Just prior to the end of the first 1½ hours, the third team or the "one-up" as it was called, made the descent to the pit-bottom. The "one-up" title was given because in that particular work day the No. 3 team would only make one journey back up the shaft in the cage. When the No. 1 team came from behind the seals, the No. 2 team made their entry to do their 1½ hour stint, and the No. 3 team (the "one-up") took over the role at the air-lock door as the team "at the ready" on call. The No. 1 team after leaving the sealed area were surfaced in the cage to rejuvenate in the fresh air. Just prior to the third hour, the No. 1 team returned to the shaft bottom to become the team "at the ready" at the seal entry. The No. 3 team took over from the No. 2 team inside the seal locks in the work area, and No. 2 team were surfaced. Later the No. 1 team, with the No. 2 team again the emergency group, did a second stint inside the work zone to complete the miners' normal shift time. Each following day, the teams moved up a position, so that the No. 1 team on a day became the No. 3 or "one-upper" the next day.

Inside the series of air-locks constructed, the proto-recovery teams blocked or walled off the "spontaneous-fired" area. The walls or seals consisted of concrete blocks each weighing 80 pounds (36.36 kg). No mean feat when one considers that all such blocks, cement used, tools etc., had to be hand-carried by men garbed in life supporting apparatus, over or around debris, or coal falls. One must also remember that all the previous and earlier pit-support props and timbers if not destroyed by the fire, were charred, ashed or weakened. Falls of coal and stone had formed gigantic heaps. An area still so gaseous and dangerous, that not even a hacksaw could be used. As well as the removal of debris and fallen timbers, the earlier very high pit-bottom required walls or blocks of seals up to 48 feet high to be erected and constructed in the numerous headings, bords and cut-throughs.

A particular major feat was the construction of a "skip return region" in the area where previously the pumps had been situated n the drainage heading. An area that was essential when the colliery resumed, so that the skips could circle the shaft and cages for the best distribution. This special work was funded by the Commonwealth Government at a cost of £100,000-0-0 ($200,000.00) in its desperate attempt to maintain coal supplies in the nation's "War Effort".

Two individuals from these "proto-recovery teams" have described to me some of the conditions experienced. Both like real heroes in other facets of dangerous Australian situations have requested that they remain anonymous. Their stories are very similar. The "proto-recovery worker" passed through three separate locks to enter the work zone. Generally the "on work" team wore their proto-gas face mask; the pit-helmet and light with its battery carried on a belt around the waist; and the necessary life-giving oxygen-bottle carried in a pack on their back. The men were naked except for their boots, and a kind of "lap-lap" cover. Each of the team wore an old overcoat inside the first lock door, not to keep warm, but to wait until their body adjusted and acclimatised to the high 135º temperature. Once through the third lock door, the team had to immediately climb and scramble over a huge heaped coal fall down into a deep hot water hole. In this area, the coal was still burning with a red glow. The waterhole was crossed by a raft. Then to work building the concrete brick seals. After a quarter of an hour in this intense heat, the team members found it necessary to return and lay in the hot water hole to cool off before again returning to the construction. (Author: Could hell be worse?). A tremendous effort, one of supreme courage. A state which caused all proto-team men to individually lose much weight.

The Aberdare Central Colliery reclamation work took almost 3 years. During this period additional numbers of miners had to be especially trained for this type of proto-work to provide replacements. Also during this recovery period, Mr F. Hemmingway retired as manager. For quite a lengthy period, supervision of the recovery operation was given to the under-manager, Mr Simon Bowden whilst Mr Tom Croudace, manager of the Company's neighbouring mine, Aberdare Shaft Colliery signed the Aberdare Central Colliery's papers and returns as its acting manager. Mr J.W. Glendening was appointed as manager of Aberdare Central Colliery on 27th February 1947.

Late in the reclamation period, an inspection or search within the now sealed-off region was made in an endeavour to locate the seat of the original fire and to determine for certain the precise cause. The inspecting party comprised the colliery manager, Mr J.W. Glendening, a Mines Department Inspector Mr Jim Pithkeathley and one of the proto-teams with a second proto-team as a "back-up" at the lock's entry. The two proto teams leaders had a discussion on tactics to be used in the event of trouble. The two leaders deemed this venture to be very dangerous. they decided that the "inspecting" leader should carry a life-line. Their plans included that if a rescue had to be made, that the rescue group would keep to the right of the old heading. The inspecting party, if necessary, would return on the left of the heading. A third precaution was that two members of the inspecting proto-team would carry small "pelican picks".

The inspection was planned to take one hour. The inspecting group once through the air-lock doors threaded its way past huge falls, some bigger than the size of a house. Ducking under fallen timbers, twisted, tangled and weaved. Climbing through tunnels or openings made by timbers or coal-falls. After about half an our, the party heard a noise behind, which was surmised to be a fall. One of the inspecting group had been wearing a device, similar to that worn during the war by fighter plane pilots in their helmets. This particular device was an early prototype of later "walkie-talkies". From this device and pit sounds, the stand-by proto-team were alerted to the serious news of the mishap.

The inspecting group had immediately retraced their steps, and ran into a fall that blocked off their return path. Vibrations from the inspecting group's activities and movements had triggered off displacements of coal and timber. The inspecting party started to work at the fall using the pelican picks and their hands to win a way through. The stand-by proto-team reached this new fall by following the "life-line". From their side, they also started attempts to clear the fall. The life-giving two litres oxygen bottle carried in the pack on the back has a time capacity of 2½ hours. Normally a proto-worker rarely used this volume within this time, but stress, panic and extra effort increases the user's needs. It was over 2¼ hours before, due to efforts of both groups, the rescuers and rescued met in the middle of the 20 yards fall. Both parties had worked their way along the side of the coal rib wall, as previously arranged. It was "touch and go". All gas bottle clocks were reading "very low". Two of the inspecting party had used up all their oxygen, but were able to survive by exchanging the emergency "Noveta" apparatus, as each took a breath. Perhaps another five minutes, and all would have been "mining history".

Aberdare Central Colliery resumed normal ordinary working and coal production on 24th June 1947 on half of the mine's previous area. all sections and working places on the eastern side of the pit were sealed off by the proto-teams' reclamation and recovery work. In the resumed working loaded skips made entry into the cage for lifting up the shaft from the east side. The skips closely circled the cage at the shaft bottom in this movement and operation via the special region constructed by the recovery teams. This was mentioned previously at page 429.

In March 1949 a large fall of coal heated behind a brick-seal wall erected by the proto-teams during the reclamation program. Oxygen had seeped through the seal and had caused the spontaneous combustion in this huge heap. This threatened again the safety and continuance of the Aberdare Central Colliery. A fine example of co-operation was displayed by the miners and the management to remove the danger.

Proto-men scattered dry ice over the fall to slow up the heating. A proto-team constructed further concrete-brick seal walls on the in-by side of the heap so that the normal daily working and production was not disrupted. It was very essential that the "hot-coal" should be removed as quickly as possible. Every miner at Aberdare Central Colliery volunteered to work the next weekend to carry out the urgent task. Room for shovelling was very restricted, so narrow that only one pair of miners could work at the heap-face at the one time. Ten pairs of miners were selected to work and a cavil was held for starting times. conditions were very warm, over 90º with a 100% humidity. Miners worked in only boots and shorts during these specially reduced 6 hour shifts to obtain the highest results. Two sets of brothers topped this magnificent "shovelling" feat, which saw 350 tons of "hot coal" removed in 60 continuous hours actual work. Fred and Stan Creswell filled 39 tons 19 cwt in their 6 hours. Owen and "Sparrow" J. Bullen filled 34 skips. Tremendous efforts when one considers that 20 tons (20 skips) a pair was the original mine day for 8 hours in normal working. A permanent concrete-brick wall replaced the seal removed to make the opening to obtain the "hot coal".

One of the reasons for the opening of the new pit, Aberdare East Colliery, at a later period was an endeavour to work this "sealed-off" and undeveloped area of the Aberdare Central Colliery coal lease holding. However at the Aberdare East mine, due to various reasons, such as roof pressures and roof movements, heatings, distance of underground haulage, etc., much of this Aberdare Central Colliery Coal again was not recovered. Due to "fall-ins" in sections in this direction and retreats to more easier and obtainable coal, this Aberdare Central Colliery coal became irretrievable via Aberdare East mine. Perhaps sometime in the future, this area might be worked and the coal obtained by the sinking of a new drift (or shaft) somewhere in the region near the previous Aberdare Central Colliery pit-horse paddock.

One final Aberdare Central Colliery story should be related in regard to Mr Fred "Swinger" Hemmingway. At all times, he was a calm decisive manager. In a previous mining accident incident on the 21st June 1938 in which two brothers working as a miners pair in a set cavil place were entombed by a coal fall. In such mining mishaps, a fall might only be a "floater", a slab of coal from the roof, or it might be where pressure had forced the face or wall to explode, or it might be over a wide area, where the strata has moved and caused a great heap to fall.

Peter and James Harrower were involved in a very heavy roof fall. Some miners later described and estimated the heap as being the size of several suburban houses, and reached far up some 50 to 60 feet. The air thrust by such a fall and the equally strong air return plus the pit-sound noises gave all the miners in the pit the knowledge and the warning of a mishap. From this form of "bush-telegraph", the need for assistance is generally and quickly anticipated. In true mining tradition, the miners gather through the dim and fog of coal-dust to the focal point to render help.

In this particular accident, it was soon known that at least one of the buried men, whilst still under the heap was alive and able to talk. A voice could be heard within the fall. Great courage was shown by the rescuers. With a still shaking roof, miners began to move coal to reach the interred and possibly injured men. Working as in a chain-gang, lumps and pieces of coal were speedily handed from one to another. In a restricted face area, a tunnel passage near the rib, coal was hurriedly shovelled to the man behind for him to pass on. This work was attended by extreme danger due to the over-hanging rib and the dragging effect on the standing "tops coal" from the fall. Coal was still making its way from the roof, and running down the sides of the heap. Conversation continued between the rescuers and the buried man. Finally after some time a hand was cleared, and from the wrist protruded out of the heap.

Meantime Mr F. Hemmingway, the manager, had arrived and taken charge of the rescue operation. All experienced miners listened, sometimes subconsciously, for noises of roof rock movement. The noise warns them of any imminent danger, and from it, the miner gauges the time for a retreat. During this rescue progress, a silence was called for to listen more carefully to roof noise. The noise warning was such that the manager, Mr F. Hemmingway ordered all to immediately leave the danger area. This was because that with a quick decision he considered that a further fall was close at hand. As Fred seated himself on the coal, someone asked - "What are you doing?" Fred's reply was - "My God go quickly. I'll stay and hold Harrower's hand".

The hasty retreat by the rescuing miners was none too soon. As he sat on the heap, a further small fall of coal partially buried Fred Hemmingway, and in so doing broke both his legs. When the rescuers returned, it was two hours before they freed Fred. He was carried out on an ambulance stretcher. A further two hours later, Peter Harrower was also rescued. Fred "Swinger" Hemmingway's quick and sound decision had saved many others form harm. Tradition reports that Peter Harrower and Fred Hemmingway recovered from their injuries and ordeal in adjoining beds in Cessnock District Hospital. James Harrower was not so fortunate as his brother, Peter. James died in the coal fall.

Briefly outlined in the "Method of Working" mention was made that some mechanisation did take place at Aberdare Central Colliery. The equipment so utilised, Joy Duck-bill loaders, shuttle cars, 8 BU's, etc., were placed down underground by temporarily removing a cage and using the cage haulage rope.

Cost of production, falling markets, increasing coal stocks in the late 1950's and early 1960's brought a train of change in the coal industry. The reorganisation of company structures, take-overs and amalgamations was the fore-runner of the formation of Coal and allied Limited in May 1960. Thus as at many of this Company's other mines, the cost of lifting a limited quantity of coal up a shaft in comparison to the drift-tunnel mines that utilised conveyor belting to raise the production to the surface caused Aberdare Central Colliery to come under company "closure" review. It was purely due to economic reasons that Aberdare Central Colliery ceased mining operations on 2nd November, 1961.

During the early 1970's Coal and Allied Limited "cannibalised" its Branch Spur Railway and Colliery yard sidings to recover reusable rails and sleepers at some other of its underground mines. About 1977, the greater part of the pit-top and its building structures were demolished and removed by Balcolm Brothers, Newcastle scrap metal dealers.

Following the closure of Aberdare Central Colliery in November 1961 and the disuse of the Branch Spur Railway, the brick signal box at the junction to the main South Maitland Railways, standing near the Cessnock to Kearsley Main Road, (Highway 82), was badly damaged by vandals. South Maitland Railways recovered the safe-working instrument, the telephones and the McKenzie and Holland interlocking frame and stored all at that company's workshops at East Greta Junction.

A number of colliery houses from Aberdare South Colliery were transported and relocated on the Cessnock to Quorrobolong Road, in the township of Kitchener, opposite the Aberdare Central Colliery. These houses were for use by the minor colliery officials. Whilst now owned by private persons, these houses still stand in good condition.

CLOSURE:

2nd November 1961.

PRESENT POSITION:

The poppet head on the "B" shaft (up-cast airway) has been allowed to remain standing for historical interest. This shaft plus the main haulage shaft has been sealed.

City of Cessnock Municipal Council advises that the colliery's freehold land has had its tenure transferred to the Council. The informant could not tell me if this was due to the standing historical poppet head.

Coal and Allied Limited advised that the coal holding lease is still theirs.

Back to top of page

Home | The Mines | The Maps | Search | Sponsors | Oral History

Newcastle Regional Museum
787 Hunter Street,
Newcastle West NSW 2302

Phone: 61 2 4974 1415
       61 2 4974 1400

Fax:   61 2 4974 1405

Email: nrmuseum@ncc.nsw.gov.au

This web site is designed,
built and maintained by IMCG Pty Ltd