Lewis Merthyr Colliery Explosion – Pontypridd – 1882

LEWIS MERTHYR. Pontypridd, Glamorganshire. 11th. February, 1882.

On the same day as the colliery owned by the Lewis Merthyr Navigation Collieries Company Limited, two men, George Warlow, pitman aged 56 years and Jacob Thomas, hitcher aged 51 years were killed when they were burnt through them upsetting of a paraffin lamp on the cage in the shaft and there was an explosion in which four men lost their lives in an explosion of firedamp.

Those who died were:-

• Thomas Williams, banksman aged 45 years.
• Joseph Rowlands, master haulier aged 24 years.
• Benjamin James, labourer aged 66 years.
• James H. Lewis, collier aged 16 years.

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