Hendy Merthyr Colliery

Clydach, Swansea Valley (038688)

A steam coal slant was opened possibly in 1923 by the Hendy Merthyr Colliery Company of Clydach which was incorporated in 1932. The chairman and managing director of the company was Richard Thomas and the other director was Elizabeth Thomas. In 1934 this company controlled two collieries and produced 115,000 tons of coal. It was located approximately half a mile to the north of Clydach Merthyr Colliery and at times known as Cathelyd. In 1935 it was worked in conjunction with the Nant-y-Capel, and at that time employed 32 men on the surface and 180 men underground producing 115,000 tons of coal from the Graigola seam. The manager in 1930 was J.H. James and in 1935 it was E. Alexander. In 1945 the manager was T.E. Lloyd and it employed 198 men underground and 57 men on the surface.

On Nationalisation in 1947, Hendy Merthyr was placed in the National Coal Board’s, South Western Division’s, No.1 (Swansea) Area, and at that time was worked with the Tylwydyn Slant, 107 men were employed underground and 20 men on the surface, the manager was D.L. Jones. He was still there in 1949.

In 1951 three slants were closed leaving the Cathelyd slant. The NUM were concerned that the nearest road for an ambulance was 800 yards from the entrance of this slant. In 1954/55 this colliery was one of 42 that caused concern to both the NUM and the NCB over the high level of accidents. By 1954, 35 men were employed on the surface and 153 men underground working the Maesmelyn seam, the manager was now D. Evans. In 1955 there were 94 men employed at the coalfaces at this colliery and in 1956 there were 87 and in 1958 there were 91 men at the coalfaces. The colliery had its own coal preparation plant (washery).

It was closed by the National Coal Board on November 11th 1960 and those that chose to were transferred to Brynlliw Colliery.

Some Statistics:

• 1927: Manpower: 16.
• 1928: Manpower: 29.
• 1929: Manpower: 25 developing.
• 1930: Manpower: 72.
• 1933: Manpower: 164.
• 1935: Manpower: 62. Output: 115,000 tons.
• 1937: Manpower: 202.
• 1938: Manpower: 196.
• 1940: Manpower: 237. Output: 120,000 tons.
• 1945: Manpower: 255.
• 1947: Manpower: 127.
• 1949: Manpower: 124. Output: 15,000 tons.
• 1954: Manpower: 188. Output: 33,722 tons.
• 1956: Manpower: 193. Output: 40,000 tons.
• 1957: Manpower: 198. Output: 39,979 tons.
• 1958: Manpower: 204. Output: 42,218 tons.

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