Caepontbren Colliery

Pontyates, Pit (47220830), Drift, (475083)

There was an Old Cae Pontbren worked by Herbert Lloyd pre-1840, while a New Cae Pontbren was worked by Smart and Clements pre-1840.

This mine worked from 1888 in the Gwendraeth Vein at a thickness of 36 inches, the Soap Vein was 32 inches in thickness, it worked a limited amount of the Braslyd seam which had a section of coal 16 inches, dirt 5, coal 12 inches, it was this seam that was being worked when excessive water problems caused it to be abandoned in 1897. It was possibly re-opened in 1907 Caepontbren employed 160 men and in 1908 it employed 157 men. It closed in 1913.

It was bounded by Ponthenry Colliery to the north and Plasbach Colliery to the south and the outcrop of the Coalfield to the west. In 1888 it was owned by H. Lloyd and Company, in 1890 it was owned by H.E. Smart & Son of Kidwelly and managed by W.W. Walton. It was described as working the Gwendraeth seam by pillar & stall using safety lamps. The downcast shaft was 6 feet 6 inches by 6 feet and 150 feet deep with ventilation driven by the exhaust fumes from the engines. In 1902 it was owned by the Caepontbren Colliery Company and in 1909 by the New Caepontbren Colliery Company. Please also see the section on New Cae Pontbren Colliery Company.

The Winding Pit which was located at 6in SN40NE grid reference 47220830, height above OD 50 feet. 360 yards south-east of Pontyates Bridge, passed through the following seams:

• Braslyd – Depth 50ft, Thickness 8 inches, 36 inches.
• Coal – Depth 60 ft, Thickness: 3 inches.
• Coal – Depth 88ft, Thickness: 2 inches, 4 inches.
• Gwendraeth – Depth 145ft Thickness: 8 inches 36 inches.

Some statistics:

• 1901: Manpower: 23
• 1902: Manpower: 27
• 1903: Manpower: 29
• 1905: Manpower: 102
• 1907: Manpower: 160
• 1908: Manpower: 157
• 1909: Manpower: 157
• 1910: Manpower: 193
• 1911: Manpower: 180
• 1912: Manpower: 135

Information supplied by Ray Lawrence and used here with his permission.