I have a large and ever-growing number of direct ancestors and cousins that were killed or affected by the Hartley Pit Disaster and have tracked down various interesting contemporary articles etc. The following relates to one of the last men to leave the pit alive because my great x 3 grandfather fancied a chat with an old friend on his first day (back?) down this pit after a spell in Heaton. And lost his life as a consequence.
Incredible to find details of my ancestors death published more than 50 years after the tragedy. Just goes to show you never know what might turn up!
"Doudal" sounds like quite a character.
Maybe someone here will claim him as theirs?
"DEATH OF A BLYTH CELEBRITY
The funeral of the late George Watson, a local celebrity, who was in his 90th year took place at Blyth Cemetery on Sunday. Deceased was widely known as "Doudal" Watson, and was associated with the Hartley calamity of 1862. He with others had finished his shift, and was waiting at the shaft bottom to be drawn to the surface. The cage carried ten men, and nine had entered the cage. The tenth man, named Clough, whose turn it was, was engaged talking to another man, there being at that time no apprehension of the impending calamity, which took place a few minutes later. The onsetter called for someone to enter the cage, and Watson got it, and he with all the rest got safely to the surface. Then the beam of the pumping engine broke, and falling down the shaft broke it up, and all below - 216 men and boys - including the man Clough, perished of suffocation.
Watson was a man of powerful build, and in his younger days was noted for his prowess in the noble art of self-defence, but was a very genial kindly soul. He had an odd fancy in dress, which he maintained throughout his long life. He wore a "cheesecutter" cap and velvet jacket and cap, the vest being studded with numerous pearl buttons. He was a conspicuous figure at shooting matches, at which he took great delight, and a favourite hobby of his was cage birds. He was very expert as a fowler. He was blind for a number of years. A few years ago his sight was restored by an operation, but he lapsed back to blindness, and was often to be seen in Blyth, where he died, led about by a boy."
Source: Morpeth Herald 12 April 1918
