Dudley Colliery Disaster, Newcastle, NSW, 1898

The study traces the brief history of the mine and details its operations. It describes the damage incurred following an explosion, the unsuccessful rescue attempts, the resultant fires and the temporary sealing of the mine. Evidence presented and conclusions made at both the Coroner's Inquest and the Court of Investigation are outlined. General impact of the disaster is considered, including the adoption of the practice of continuous ventilation together with industrial action taken in response to management's attempts introduce safety lamps.