ABERCOMBY. Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 8th. October, 1870.

The colliery was in the Aberdare Valley and was the property of Messrs Davies of Blaengwawr who were the proprietors of the ill-fated Ferndale Colliery. The manager was Mr. Richard Bedlington. Eight men were engaged in putting in a door to deflect the ventilation into the No.2 heading where there was a sudden outburst of gas which ignited at their open lamps.

Those who died were:

  • James Davies aged 31 years, overman,
  • John Howell aged 33 years, flueman,
  • Thomas Evans aged 25 years, flueman,
  • Henry Jones,
  • Another who died from his injuries.

The inquest took place at the Boot Hotel, Aberdare and James Davies the overman was told by Thomas Thomas that there was gas in the pit and he opened doors to try to disperse the gas. The two fluemen were asleep at the time and had allowed the fire to get low.

Job Jones, labourer, said he was working in the south return with John Lloyd and was sitting having his lunch. He was asleep at the time of the explosion. David Jones aged 11 years said he was also asleep when the explosion occurred.

The jury brought in the verdict that:

The explosion occurred by gas coming into contact with the flue. They were culpable in allowing the fire to become so low. It was a mistake to open the doors but amounted to accidental death.

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1870. Mr. Thomas E. Wales.
Colliery Guardian 14th October 1870, p.417, 28th October 1870, p.472.
”And they worked us to death” Vol.2. 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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