Opening of North Skelton ironstone mine by Bolckow and Vaughan Co [720 ft deep], Skelton Park by Bell brothers [380 ft] and South Skelton by Vaughan Co [212 ft]. There was a continuous seam of iron ore, which varied in thickness from about 8 to 11 feet, running right across the East Cleveland area. This was called the "main seam", as there are other thinner seams, and the ore contained about 30% iron. The depths where it was found varied considerably from place to place as the seam actually dipped in a saucer shape underneath Skelton.
The depth of the seam at North Skelton had caused great problems, first in finding it and then dealing with flooding. Some rocks are naturally more impervious to water than others and an underground lake had built up and filled the mine shaft as it was being dug. The shaft had to be lined with cast iron in parts. Water was at first lifted out in tubs and then pumps had to be installed. At its worst water was being removed at 3000 gallons per minute. The first stone was not taken out until 7 years after the mining rights had been bought.
1872 was the wettest year on record For more information on N Skelton Mine, click here.

The trade union 'The Cleveland Miners & Quarrymen's Association' was founded in Brotton. Eston's 'Onward Lodge' walks over the hills with the New Marske miners to join in the first 'Demonstration' at Skelton.

1873 - 4 acres of land were given by Skelton Castle estate for a cemetery at New Skelton with two mortuary chapels, at a cost of £3,200.
The old cemetery round the old church had become 'insanitary' and could not cope with the increase in population.
Building of Council offices near the present fire station.

He was the eldest son of Benjamin and Mary Wild, who had 8 sons and 3 daughters.
In 1901 he was a member of Scott's expedition to the South Pole.
In 1911 he was a member of Mawson's expedition and in 1914 was second in command of Shackleton's.
He returned again in 1921 with Shackleton.
He was awarded the Silver Polar Medal.
Afterwards his fortunes took a downturn and he died in South Africa on 19th August 1939.

The Skelton Co-operative Society opened in Skelton High St.

Skelton Shaft Mine, 19 June. Richard Barker, aged 47, was killed by a fall of stone. Skelton Park Pit. 6 September. J Maddock, a miner aged 48 was killed by a "shot blowing through".

Shaft sinking began for Longacres Mine. In the December, either by accident or arson, the wooden framework at the pithead and a storehouse was destroyed by fire. The nightwatchman, John Ward, who appears to have been asleep, was sent to prison for a month, being unable to pay the £5 fine.

1874 - North Skelton Mine. September. William Roll, a miner aged 33, was killed. The 'Redcar and Saltburn News wrote - "Last week three mining accidents of a shocking character occurred in Cleveland. The most serious took place at North Skelton, at an early hour on Friday morning, and resulted in one man being killed and anothe so seriously injured that he now lies in a precarious state. The unfortunate men were William Roll and Edward Headlam.

Skelton Park Pit. 24 June. Thomas Wright aged 27 was killed by a fall of stone.

Skelton Shaft. 2 November, Joseph Senior, a miner aged 17 was killed. " Supposed to have been crushed between tub and props ; deceased was acting as driver when injured."

A Factory Act limited the working day to 10 hours.

Births and Deaths Registration Act introduced a penalty for failure to register and for first time required a medical certificate for cause of death

The Corrugated Iron Club.

It appears to have been built as a Wesleyan Chapel, around 1873/4 as a temporary measure, during the rapid expansion of North Skelton at this time.

There was an entrance, with porch, from the rear of the building as shown on the photograph.

From this entrance there was access to a cellar which was, reportedly, used by the Home Guard during the Second World War.