LOWER DUFFRYN. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 6th. November, 1860.

The colliery was the property of Thomas Powell and Son and the explosion claimed the lives of 12 men and boys. It was the third explosion that had taken place at the colliery in the space of a few years and had claimed a total of 33 lives. The shafts at the colliery were in the valley of Aberdare and the workings extended a considerable depth under the mountains. The coal that was worked was known as the Merthyr Steam Coal. It was known to be a fiery mine and there had been an explosion that caused the death of one man earlier that year as a result of blasting the coal.

The explosion was confined to the Nine Feet Vein of coal and the damage was confined to the No.1 and 2 cross headings, on the western side of the incline.

Those who lost their lives were:

  • Thomas Evans aged 31 years, collier.
  • David Richards aged 25 years, collier
  • John Rendle aged 25 years, collier.
  • John Davies aged 33 years, collier.
  • R. Williams aged 15 years, collier.
  • George Morgan aged 11 years, doorboy.
  • John Box aged 35 years, collier, left a wife and child.
  • John Regan aged 62 years, collier, left a wife and three children.
  • Evan Thomas aged 34 years, collier, left a wife and 4 children.
  • Edward Jenkins aged 16 years, collier.
  • Robert Lewis, aged 20 years, collier.
  • James Lewis aged 12 years, collier.
  • The survivors were:
  • Howell Arthur,
  • James Gilbert,
  • John Isley,
  • Jacob Jenkins,
  • William Jenkins,
  • John Jones,
  • Isaac Lee,
  • John Lewis, a lad,
  • Robert Lewis,
  • William Lovell,
  • Samuel Morgan,
  • John Richards.

Mr. Evans and Mr. Brough, Her Majesty’s Inspectors, carried out an extensive examination of the colliery after the explosion to try to determine the cause of the disaster. Mr. Evans addressed the inquiry:

I have no doubt the ignition of the gas took place in the No.11 stall then it passed through the windways in No.1 cross heading and also along the upper level between Nos. 1 and 2 headings and then down the No.2 heading. There was doubtless an accumulation of gas in the No.11 stall, it may be the canvas door was opened as alleged by a witness but there is no reliable evidence as to the fact. I found the No.11 stall six yards in advance of the brattice, this length multiplied by the breadth, eight yards and the height nine feet gave a space of 3,888 cubical feet without any supply of air except that which passed through a small hole described by Mr. Wilkinson between the No. 11 and 12 stalls about 16 inches by 4 inches. I do not state that this space was filled from floor to roof with inflammable gas, but it is clear that a considerable proportion must have been there at the moment of the explosion.

Mr. Evans went on to say that he thought that there was inadequate ventilation in the mine and that blasting in a fiery mine should not be allowed and he was critical of the lamp system at the colliery. He said:

I do most earnestly and strongly recommend that some steps should be taken in addition to the special rules now in force whereby some more severe punishment than a mere fine shall be inflicted upon these persons who are guilty of such a dangerous practice as removing the gauze from their lamps, or tampering with them for the purpose of smoking, obtaining more light or under any other pretence whatsoever, and in future it is my determination to enforce the law and let this be a caution to all employed in mines, not to risk the lives of those others.

The fireman, or another competent person, ought to examine all the lamps each morning before the men have them delivered to them and the duty certainly ought not to devolve on a mere boy. Rule 29 directs it shall be done by the fireman. The overmen, firemen and chief officers, who watch the changes and carry out safety regulations, can scarcely read and write. Keys for opening the lamps are intrusted, contrary to the rules (31 and 32) to hauliers, they are hung at the bottom of the shaft. Stations, if fixed upon for lighting lamps, are not used, for the fireman lights lamps anywhere he thinks proper.

I consider the underviewer at the Lower Duffryn Colliery has too much under his charge the Lower Duffryn Colliery ought to have all his time.

Lionel Brough the Inspector for the Western District agreed with everything that Mr. Evans said and strongly objected to blasting being carried on in fiery mines. The jury after hearing the evidence brought in a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

A fund was established for a presentation for the men who helped rescue the men which was reported to “being gradually increased.”

 

REFERENCES
The Mines Inspectors Report, 1860. Mr. Thomas Evans.
“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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