BRYNDDU. Pyle, Glamorganshire. 28th. May, 1858.

Brynddu Colliery was owned by Messrs. Ford and Son and was on the southern outcrop of the South Wales coalfield and the strata dipped very steeply in these mines. The mine was ventilated by two Sturve’s pumps and the Inspector reported that large quantities passed through the workings of the Nine Feet Vein which was the seam that was worked and the workings were only 65 feet below ground. The coal was said to be so hard that it could only be won by blasting. Only the foreman was permitted to light a charge, after first testing for gas but the charges were lit by him taking off the top of his lamp.

The explosion occurred when a man was working on the level boring a hole in the coal. When the shot was ready to fire he went for the fireman whose duty it was to make an inspection and fire the shot but he did not make the inspection. A little gas had accumulated near the face which exploded at a naked light killing twelve men and boys.

Those who died were:

  • Thomas Griffiths, who left a wife.
  • John Higham, or Hopkins, who left a wife and four children.
  • David John, who left a wife.
  • Jenkin Lewis, who left a wife and two children.
  • Morgan Lewis, who was single.
  • Evan Morgan.
  • Joseph Morgan, single.
  • William Morgan, who left a widow and five children.
  • John Rees, who was single.
  • Edmund Thomas, who was single.
  • John Thomas, who left a wife and five children.

There were eight widows and twenty-three children left fatherless by the disaster.

Mr. Mackworth stated that it was a locked lamp colliery and in his opinion, the blasting of the coal should not be allowed.

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1857. Mr. Herbert Mackworth.
The Colliery Guardian, 28th May 1858. p.362.
“And they worked us to death”. Vol.1. Ben Fieldhouse and Jakie Dunn. Gwent Family History Society.

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

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