Neston Collieries
at Neston, Cheshire.
There were two distinct phases of coalmining here, the first starting in the 18th century, and the second finishing in the 20th.
First phase, 1759 to 1855: Ness Colliery, established by Sir John Massey Stanley; Little Neston Colliery owned by the Cottingham family. Mining ended in 1855, largely because coal could no longer be shipped cheaply following silting of the Dee estuary.
Second Phase, 1875 to 1927: Neston (Wirral) Colliery, started by the Neston Colliery Co on the site of, and using some of the equipment previously used by the short-lived Anglican Smelting, Reduction and Coal Co. Coal could now be transported by rail, the line to Neston having been opened in 1866.
This website includes an aerial view of the location with Neston Colliery features superimposed.
See Neston Collieries website and Neston Past website.
Coal was originally shipped from Ness Colliery from Denhall Quay. Part of the jetty, faced with large sandstone blocks, can still be seen. See photo.
Public Notices
1796 'NESS COLLIERY.
TO BE LET,
For a term years, and entered upon immediately. ALL that valuable work of Ness Colliery, with the fire engines, machinery and other materials and implements thereto belonging; also, a considerable farm occupied therewith, situate, standing, lying, and being contiguous to the river Dee, in the township of Ness, in the county of Chester.
The demand for coals at this colliery is very great, both by land and sea; they being now selling to customers, by land, ten shillings and eightpence a sale ton, weighing about thirty hundred weight, and to shipping at nine shillings the same ton. There is an extensivee and commodious pier, rail roads, and every other conveniency for shipping coals at a trifling expence, and with little or no damage to the coals. This colliery is about a mile distant from the port of Parkgate, where vessels laden with coals are cleared out for sea.
For further particulars apply to Richard Ashhurst, of Puddington, near Chester, who will treat for the same.'[1]
1852 'NESS COLLIERY. CHESHIRE.
TO be LET, with immediate possession, for any number of years, this well established COLLIERY, abounding with excellent Coal and Fire Brick Clay, is situate on the Banks of the Dee, with good Shipping Pier, near to Neston and Parkgate, from whence a Railway to join the Birkenhead and Chester Liue is about to be constructed, it will be Let on moderate terms to any spirited individual or Company, with extensive Lime and Brick Works, and the Beds and Seams of Coal, lying under an extensive Field on the Rise side of the Workings.
This Field has been partially opened, and satisfactorily proved by borings, approved and recommended by the late Mr. Buddle, and other Coal viewers, as a promising Plant, The Engines, Machinery, and Colliery Stock of every description, belonging to the present Company, (who wish to retire,) may be taken at valuation, or let at fixed rent; until more modern Engines and Machinery can be erected. Further particulars may be obtained from Mr. Wm. Stewart, of Puddington; or Mr. Gregory, of Ness Colliery, who will give every information to parties desirous to coutract. Ness Colliery, 3d May, 1852.'[2]