MIDDLE DUFFRYN. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 14th. May, 1852.

From The Monmouthshire Merlin

Frightful Loss of Life at Middle Duffryn Colliery.

SIXTY-FOUR LIVES LOST.

Intelligence of this dreadful event reached our office on Monday night; and on proceeding to the spot next morning, our reporter immediately put himself in communication with the agents at the Colliery, from whom he received every attention, and the fullest information that could be obtained, upon all matters in connection with the lamentable catastrophe.

The Middle Duffryn pit and works are situated in the Aberdare Valley, at the foot of the wood-crowned Duffryn mountain, almost directly opposite the residence of Crawshay Bailey, Esq., M.P., and the iron furnaces of that gentleman, at Aberaman. The Colliery thus lies on the right-hand side of the valley, about two miles up from the Mountain Ash station on the Taff Vale Railway, adjoining the canal, and distant from Aberdare about two miles. The cottages in which the workmen principally resided, are adjacent to the Lletty Shenkin Colliery; and this quiet and picturesque locality was on Monday night converted into a sad and terrible “place of mourning.”

We have stated that every information was readily afforded; indeed, after Messrs. Williams and Shipley, the intelligent and experienced agents, and Mr. Daniel, the clerk, had replied to all questions put to them, our reporter Was solicited to make enquiries of the colliers who were then at the pit’s mouth, some of whom were called in; and their answers were also freely and unreservedly given.

It appears that on Sunday, Mr. Shipley, agent, and Evan Beddoe, fireman, with others, were below ground, attending to various works, in respect to new headings, &c.; and that on Sunday evening, the pit was left, apparently free from gas. Next morning, two firemen went in at four o’clock, attended to the furnace tire, made a thorough examination, and found all right; after which, they returned, and acted in accordance with the following rule of the works:

The firemen to examine the whole of the working places, and the main returns every morning, and afterwards return to the lamp room for the purpose of supplying lamps to the workmcn, and giving them necessary instructions until they have all proceeded “inbye;” and no workman shall, on any account, proceed to the inbye side of the lamp room, before the firemen have returned to that place, and reported the Workings safe.

Evan Beddoe, one of the firemen, whom we saw at his own house, suffering slightly from burns, stated that he was one of those firemen, and added I saw nothing like gas anywhere, nor anything dangerous -no, not a cause to fear anywhere.”

Everything being thus reported quite safe, the colliers and boys at about half-past six o’clock, began to descend in lots of eight; and ninety-two human beings, with several horses, were all busily engaged at eight o’clock in their subterranean occupations.

There were, at this time, several naked candles burning in parts of the working; but this, we understood, as usual, and permitted, under the following regulation:

No person is allowed, under any pretext whatever, to work without a safety lamp, in any place where there is the least appearance of fire-damp; and the firemen are hereby authorised to compel any person to leave the mine immediately, who persists in using a naked light, after having been ordered to use a safety lamp; and such person shall not be allowed to resume work again without orders from the manager.

Between seven and eight o’clock, Beddoe, the fireman, discovered indications of a fall in the deep heading-that is, some of the stuff” apparently becoming loose and disengaged in the roof of the heading. He at once apprised Mr. Shipley of this circumstance, who proceeded to examine the spot with naked candles, the fireman having previously pronounced it free from gas. Mr Shipley directed four men to be sent for, who were to erect a ceiling of timber to prevent the anticipated, fall and preparations for this work were soon after commenced.

At this time, the ventilation of the pit was very strong; indeed, one of the colliers informed us, that he was obliged to shelter his candle in a lantern, to prevent it’s being blown out by the current of air. There were then from twenty-eight thousand to thirty thousand cubic feet of pure atmospheric air, driven into the works per minute this being accomplished by two modes—the ventilating furnace, at the bottom of the descending or winding shaft, which forces the air through the works in a particular direction, and the steam jet, which work at the top of the upcast shaft, drawing out all the foul air which the atmospheric current has displaced. The ventilation goes on night and day continuously.

There was, then, not the slightest apprehension of danger, or of the frightful calamity which presently afterwards ensued The men who were directed to board up the apprehended fall, proceeded about the work, just previously to nine o’clock, and all was going forward in the accustomed manner.

Suddenly, a loud booming roar, and an up flying cloud at the pit’s mouth, told the terrified men on the surface, that an explosion of fire-damp had taken place. Horror and consternation deprived those who heard and saw those frightful Judications of the appalling event which had occurred, of all power to speak or move for many seconds; till Mr. Shipley, the agent, bidding some men follow him, proceeded down the ladders of the descending shaft, as fast as possible, to render assistance in bringing those who might have escaped the deadly effects of the fire-blast, to the surface. Some men were hurrying up the ladder, having been near the pit’s mouth when the explosion took place, and able to escape. Shipley hurried on but oncoming to the place of the bottom ladder, which was about 20 yards long, he found that it had broken away. Laying hold of a swinging rope, he slid to the bottom by it, and there found three or four dead men. They were the party he had sent to repair the heading, and it was probable, that before they could arrive at that place, the fall had occurred, either by a “blower,” or explosion of firedamp, or from some other cause, and had dislodged the gas which might have been pent up there; and then, these poor fellows rushing back, fled to their only means of escape, the ladder which being broken, as above stated, they were killed by the fall.

Mr. Shipley and his assistants proceeded into the levels, so far as the after-damp, or choke-damp, permitted. They first met some poor fellows staggering along, half suffocated, and almost insensible. These were helped out. Stumbling over one or two dead bodies in their way, they returned, and renewed an air door, which had been blown away by the explosion. After that, they proceeded to the deep heading end, and found one man alive, Him they rescued. then they came upon more of the dead. This was all on the east side of the working, where the explosion was supposed to have occurred. They next met four men staggering along, like people inebriated, having imbibed some of the terrible choke-damp, and others being slightly burnt. All the men in the west side escaped easily: and those who were injured were quickly removed to the surface, twenty-eight men and youths being saved, out of the ninety-two.

Beddoe, the fireman, stated that when he found the fall had taken place in the deep heading, he “met the gas” himself, rushing along the levels. He cried out to his partner to run one way, while ho ran the other, to give warning, and take precautionary measures and he says that, knowing the danger if the gas reached the flue, or furnace, lie saw that lie could perhaps avoid the explosion, if he had time to rush forward, and close the air-doorway. But at that moment, he heard the explosion. He was then about eighty yards from the bottom of the shaft. The force of the explosion struck him down. He arose in a short time, and lost himself for a bit:” then he heard voices, recovered his consciousness and ran before the choke-damp, with other men whom he found at the bottom of the downcast, to the pumping pit, where the fresh wind was rushing down, and he and his companions were saved.

Returning to Shipley and his brave companions, we find them pursuing their way amidst all the horrors of the place, and ultimately, at about one hundred yards from the winding shaft, stumbling over a large heap of dead bodies. These poor fellows had, it may be supposed, rushed towards the shaft, on hearing the explosion, but being met by the fatal “choke damp” on their way, the foremost perhaps foil, and then those who followed, fell also, until the accumulating pile of dead men stopped all further progress. The bodies were conveyed to the surface: and the men still went on, presently coming to a second heap of the dead. These, too, had no doubt,” staggered along, till, obstructed by the fall of one of their companions, all fell likewise, and perished on the ground. The last groans, the last prayers, the farewells, uttered for those who, at home, were at that moment unconscious of their sons’, their husbands’, or their brothers fearful doom, – alas! none can tell how agonizing were these.

Harrowing as even the general details of this calamity must be, there were incidents connected therewith which give to it additional painfulness. Among those who were killed were a father and his two boys. Happy youths on the Sabbath day before then proceeding cheerfully on the first day of labour, to toil anew with their father, for the maintenance of their mother, at home, and themselves. They were but children -ten and eleven years of age. Among the ghastly heap of the dead, poor Morris, the father, was found, clasping his boys, one under each arm, to his sides; and there they were, cold and stark and dead. God only knows the dreadful apprehension, the strong affection, the despair, of that poor father, when, endeavouring to snatch his children from the Destroyer, he rushed along the dark level, with the hope of life and parental affection impelling him onwards. But their companions had fallen; the path was choked up escape impossible; and the terrible after-damp quickly executed its work.

Near them, also, were two fine youths, “who were the only support of their mother; and she was a widow.” Imagination may portray tho utter desolation of her home on that Monday night.

Some lay clasping each other – perhaps in their blind and bewildering moments of death, grasping, as drowning men will do, at their companions, and falling down lifeless together.

But the spectacle exhibited at the pit’s mouth surpassed all others. There were aged mothers, awaiting with frightful suspense, to clasp the bodies of their darling sons-wives. staring wildly over each other’s shoulders to catch the first glimpse of their husbands’ countenances – sisters, looking with speechless apprehension. for brothers; and young maidens, fearing that among each fresh lot of human corpses brought up, they might recognize those whom they had loved. Language would fail to depict this harrowing spectacle in its true colours.

Humanity is always prominent, in the hour of danger and distress. among the Welsh colliers and it was well displayed on this [newspaper ripped] for the moment the intelligence spread throughout the [newspaper ripped] an explosion had taken place at the Middle Duffryn [newspaper ripped] of colliers and others ran to the scene of disaster, from all the works in the locality. Indeed, we were informed that more than a thousand had gathered together in a few hours afterwards, all anxious to render some service, and administering rough but timely consolation to the suffering widows and mothers they saw around them.

The first bodies were brought up at about eleven o’clock, and the whole sixty-four were up soon after six. Two men who had been very severely burnt, expired after they had been taken to their homes. All the bodies were conveyed from the pit at once to the lodgings or houses which had been their place of abode, on being handed over to the friends who were present to receive them.

Three horses were killed by the after-damp. They were brought Three horses were killed by the after-damp. They were brought up on Tuesday evening.

There were fifteen persons burnt by the explosion, but escaped the after-damp; although two, as we stated above, died from the effects of the injuries received.

The intelligence was conveyed to Mr. Powell, at The Gaer, near this town, by special messenger; and Mr. Oakley, manager for Mr. Powell, and Mr. Watson, the engineer, at once proceeded to the spot, where Mr O. rendered every assistance to the unfortunate families that had been thus suddenly deprived of their protectors, and gave the necessary instructions for the interment of the dead. Twenty-four men were at once put to work to prepare coffins; and those colliers who were injured by burns, were promptly attended by Mr. Davies, of Aberdare, the surgeon of the works. ‘That gentleman, on an examination of the dead, declared it as his opinion, that not a single death had been occasioned by burning, except the two which occurred after the sufferers had been brought from the pit.

We understand that the explosion did not occasion so much damage to the works, as the great loss of life might lead one to expect. It may be correctly inferred from this fact, that the deaths were rather the result of the “choke,” or after-damp, than fire-damp.

A mineral surveyor of considerable eminence (Mr. Llewellin, of Pontypool) inspected the colliery on behalf of J. B. Price, Esp., the landlord, only on the previous Thursday; and we have seen a letter from him, written to Mr. Powell, in which he expressed himself as quite satisfied and pleased with the manner in which the colliery was managed, especially in respect to the ventilation. Mr. Llewellin will be called upon, without doubt, to give evidence on this point, at the inquest.

It will be consolatory to the friends of the deceased, and especially to Mr. Powell, the proprietor, that the lamentable casualty was one of those against which, apparently, human forethought and experienced ingenuity could devise no more effectual means than were adopted and that, consequently, no blame is attachable to any person or persons as to its cause.

Several other explosions have occurred in the locality. The explosion of fire-damp at Lletty Shenkin, where the same highly-gaseous seam of coal is worked, and which happened about four years ago. occasioned the deaths of fifty-two in the pits, and two on the surface.

The proper notice of the explosion was despatched to the Home Government, shortly after its occurrence, by H. A. Bruce, Esq., magistrate and it was fortunately the case, that II. J. Mackworth, Esq., government inspector, was at Cardiff when the intelligence reached that place. He at once proceeded to the spot, and made a minute examination of the plans of the workings, and instituted inquiries, which will be carried to a greater extent, when the works are sufficiently cleared below to permit examination. All this will doubtlessly occupy about a week from the time of the accident, during which time the colliers will suspend work.

On Tuesday, Mr. Overton, of Merthyr, the coroner, visited the spot, and summoned his jury, who made personal observations at the colliery, and viewed the bodies; and their further inquiry was then adjourned to Wednesday next.

The following were the gentlemen of the jury:

  • Mr. John Lewis, foreman.
  • Mr. David Thomas
  • Mr. Nicholas Davies
  • David Davies
  • Jacob Giles
  • Daniel Davies
  • John Roberts
  • Nathaniel Mills
  • Thomas Thomas
  • Morgan Morgan
  • David Williams
  • Morgan Morgan
  • John Davies
  • Richard Jenkins
  • David Griffiths
  • Daniel Davies
  • Nathaniel Jones
  • George Watts
  • John Jones

 

LIST OF THOSE WHO DIED

  1. Edward Davis, aged 34, collier, wife and five children.
  2. David Davis son, 14, collier.
  3. Richard Smith, 38 collier, wife and two children.
  4. Richard Smith, son 17, collier, single.
  5. Richard Jonathan, 43, collier, wife.
  6. David Rees, 52, collier, widower, two children.
  7. Ebenezer Morris, 32, collier, wife and four children.
  8. David Morris son, 10, collier.
  9. John Morris, son, 11, collier.
  10. James Jones, 37, collier, wife and four children.
  11. William Jones, son, 12, collier.
  12. Daniel Matthews, 18, collier, single.
  13. Richard Richards, 5.5, collier, widower, two children.
  14. Thomas Jenkins, 29, collier, wife.
  15. Owen Jenkins, 27, collier, single.
  16. William Lewis, 23, collier, single.
  17. Rees Hopkins, 5′), collier. wife and one child.
  18. John Hopkins, son, 15, collier.
  19. William Marks, 15, door boy.
  20. Charles Marks, 11, door boy.
  21. Jenkin Rosser, 22, collier, single.
  22. John Thomas, 12, door boy.
  23. Jenkin Aubrey, 2S. hallier, wife and two children.
  24. David Lewis, 32, collier, wife and two children.
  25. Thomas Williams, 28, collier, wife and four children.
  26. John Rees, 30, collier, wife and one child.
  27. William Ashton, 22, collier, single.
  28. David Jenkins, 36, collier, wife and five children.
  29. Edmund Phillips, 16, collier, single.
  30. Charles Davis, 46, collier, wife.
  31. Evan Evans, 17, collier, wife.
  32. Evan Evans, son, 21, collier, wife and child.
  33. Richard Evans, son, 11, collier.
  34. Samuel Rees, 37, fireman, wife and child.
  35. Charles White, 35, collier. wife and three children.
  36. Thomas Pritchard, 36, collier, wife and four children.
  37. William Richards, 16, collier.
  38. John Richards, 12, door boy.
  39. Thomas Rees, 23, collier, wife.
  40. William Andrews. 29 collier, wife and family.
  41. James Griffiths, 20, collier, single.
  42. Thomas Roes, 13, door boy.
  43. John Jenkins. 12, door boy.
  44. Thomas Evans, 41, collier, wife.
  45. Charles Thomas, 46. collier, wife and four children.
  46. Evan Thomas, son, 19, collier, single.
  47. David Thomas, son, 17, collier.
  48. Charles Thomas, son, 11, collier.
  49. Henry Davis, 26, collier, single.
  50. Rosser Thomas, 3 2. collier, widower and one child.
  51. Rowland Rowlands 50, collier, single.
  52. David Jones, 38, collier, wife and two children.
  53. Lewis Jones, 42. collier, wife and four children.
  54. William Jones, son, 16, collier.
  55. John Jones, son, 14, collier.
  56. Owen Evans, 56, collier, wife and three children.
  57. Thomas Morgan, 23, collier, single.
  58. William Samuel. 16, collier.
  59. John Griffiths, 21 hallier, single.
  60. Daniel Dear, 26. collier, wife and two children.
  61. David John, 11, door boy.
  62. Levi Harris, 27, roadman, single.
  63. Thomas Phillips, 30, collier, wife and four children.
  64. David James, 36, collier, wife and three children.

 

LIST OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED

John Jones, David Edwards, David Rowlands, William Leyshone, David Jones, John Edwards, David Evans, Morgan Rosser, Daniel Griffiths, William Jones, Thomas Lewis, David Davies, Jenkin Griffiths William Williams, Jenkin Thomas, and John Morris colliers; Evan Beddoe. fireman David Davis, and son, fluemen; Mike Barrv, roadman; Jenkin Jones, hitcher; William Thomas, Daniel Harries, David Lewis, John Thomas, and David Williams, hauliers; Rees Leyshone and Walter Price, door boys and Thomas Morgan, windway.

It is a singular fact that so recently as Wednesday morning, in going down the pit, and to the end of the main level heading, one I of the horses was found quite well and uninsured and there is but little doubt, had the unfortunate men and boys remained where they were at work, for half an hour or an hour, instead of rushing out into the danger, where they fell over each other and were suffocated by the choke or after-damp – that nearly the whole of them might have survived.

We understand that Mr. Powell, being overwhelmed with grief has not left his room since the occurrence of the above appalling catastrophe.

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