‘In memory of the miners who lost their lives in the Lingdale Mine Disaster 24th August 1953’ along the top in gilt. Followed by a list of names and ages of those who died in gilt below in a square of darker wood. Marquetry design of pit wheel as a background.
The mine disaster of 1953 was the third and largest explosion which occurred at Lingdale mine, fifteen people sustained burns and eight subsequently died. The explosion took place after the extraction of some pillars of ironstone, a large fall occurred along a span of unsupported roof. The debris of firedamp came in contact with an open flame from an acetylene lamp and ignited. The flames shot some 200 yards in either direction.
Firedamp explosions were previously unknown and as a result of this accident naked lights were no longer used in ironstone mines in the Cleveland area, safety lamps were instead adopted.
