Wynstay Colliery Explosion – Ruabon – 1863

WYNSTAY Ruabon, Flintshire. 9th. December, 1863.

The colliery was owned by the New British Iron Company. There had been an explosion a short time before, at the “A” Pit at the colliery and in the same district, on the 9th. December, a fireman fired a shot in an upbrow 25 yards from the return air course and 45 yards from the main horse road in the workings which, at that time, were not very extensive. The resulting explosion caused the deaths of thirteen men and boys and injury to six others.

The workings were ventilated by a split of the air at the extremity of the horse road and then behind brattice cloth, through an opening into the level above from which the two upbrows were ventilated by brattice. One of the upbrows was intended to be a self-acting incline which had been driven from the main road. At the bottom of this there was a single door which separated the intake and return air currents. The door had to be opened and closed as every wagon passed.

On the morning of the disaster, the door had been broken by a loaded wagon. The foreman helped to repair it and then went into the upbrow workings to fire shots for the colliers. He ignited the fuse and retired to the level below.

The men who died were:

• Thomas Williams aged 26 years, driver.
• Edward Evans aged 40 years, collier.
• Elias Jones aged 29 years, collier.
• Benjamin Thomas aged 27 years, collier.
• Thomas Davies aged 25 years, collier.
• David Jones aged 41 years, collier.
• Samuel Thellwall aged 13 years, driver.
• Thomas Stephens aged 22 years, drawer.
• John Blower aged 40 years, collier.
• William Jones aged 48 years, collier.
• William Williams aged 17 years, drawer.
• John Davies aged 36 years, collier.

The Inspector, Mr. Peter Higson was about to descend another of the Company’s Collieries when news of the disaster reached him and he got to the scene of the explosion a very short time after it had occurred. He stated in his report:

The greatest exertions to recover the unfortunate men had been made, until the strength of the brave men who eagerly undertook the task was all but exhausted, while explosive gas and afterdamp had become impenetrable barriers to further explorations, still seven persons were missing and the anxious but mournfully quiet appearance of the spectators who stood around the mouth of the pit seemed to say, “there are seven more missing”. Another effort was made, and the lifeless bodies of the seven unfortunate men were brought to the surface.

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1863. Mr. Peter Higson.
The Colliery Guardian, 12th December 1863. p.469.

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