 Despite changes, explosions continued, culminating in a devastating explosion at St Hilda Colliery in which 52 persons were killed.The South Shields Committee recommended the introduction of government inspections of mines the education of mechanical engineers, leading to the first Government Inspection Act of 1850.A coroner's court held at the Mill Inn at Seaham in 1852 suggested it would be advantageous to form a society to consider the prevention of accidents in coal mines.