CWMAMMAN. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 28th. November, 1855.

The colliery was owned by Messrs. Carr and Morrison and eight men were killed in an overwinding accident in which they were thrown down the pit. Instead of creeping towards the bank the carriage shot up like a dart, past the startled banksman and crashed heavily into the headgear above him. The occupants were thrown 240 yards down the shaft to their deaths.

Those who died were all listed as miners:

  • Thomas Jones aged 30 years,
  • Philip Kelly aged 25 years, both left a wife and two children,
  • David Thomas aged 24 years, left a wife and child,
  • Samuel Thomas aged 25 years,
  • Jenkin Davis aged 24 years,
  • William Thomas aged 17 years,
  • William Hooper aged 17 years,
  • Richard Weeks aged 23 years.

At the inquest into the men’s deaths, held at the Boot Hotel, Aberdare, it emerged that there was a very casual system of signalling in operation between the shaft and the engine house. The jury said nothing about these shortcomings but delivered a verdict of manslaughter against the engine driver. He was new to the work and it was alleged that if he had counted the number of engine strokes made during the ascent, he would have known that the carriage was nearing the bank.

Solomon Lloyd aged 21 years appeared at Glamorgan Winter Assize to answer the charges. He was defended by a barrister nominated from the well of the Court by Mr. Justice Vaughan Williams who found the defendant “Not Guilty”. The prisoner appeared greatly affected by the serious position he had been placed and wept during the trial.

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1855. Mr. Herbert Mackworth.
”And they worked us to death”. Vol.1. Ben Fieldhouse and Jackie Dunn. Gwent Family History Society.

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.

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