The adjourned inquest upon the bodies of the four unfortunate men killed by an explosion in the Morfa Pit, on the night of Wednesday week, as reported in our last, was held at the house of Sir. Jenkin Sutton, the “Somerset-Arms;” Taibach, Wednesday last, before Alexander Cuthburtson, Esq., coroner for the district. Thomas Evans, Esq., Government Inspector, was also present. The names of the men who lost their, lives on this occasion were Aaron Charlton, (married, no children) David Hughes, (married, wife and three children): Isaac Griffiths, (married, four months since) and John Williams, (brother-in-law to Griffiths, single.) The jury were Messrs. Jenkin Sutton, Foreman; Lewis Thomas, postmaster; John Stubbs, shoemaker; W. Jenkins, blacksmith; John Williams, mason; Thomas Roberts, tailor; George Heycock; shoemaker; Jonah Merchant, tailor; George Griffiths, schoolmaster; Benjamin Maberly, warehouseman; Bethnel Heycock, grocer; and D. Mansel, butcher.
Mr. W. Grey, manager of the pit, explained the plan of the workings now produced, and pointed out the spots where the bodies of the deceased men were found.
Rees Rees was the first witness. Upon being sworn, he said: I am the night overman of the Morfa colliery. I am acquainted with David Hughes who worked at the same colliery, which belongs to Messrs. Vivian and Sons. We have printed rules for the management of the colliery. I have a copy myself. Every workman has a copy. Davy lamps are used in the colliery. All the lamps are locked when they go into the works. (Special rules, sections No. 20 and 21 and 28 and 29, applicable to the use of locked safety-lamps were read.) The lamps are kept in the Office when they are not being used. When the men come from their work, they leave the bottoms of their lamps with Francis Cole in the office and take the cases home with them. It is the duty of Francis Cole to see that the lamps are in proper order, and to deliver them out to the men when they go to work. It is my duty to lock them after the men come down into the pit. I lock every lamp in the colliery – this applies only to night – others are appointed for day duty. I am so stationed that, every man must pass me in going to his work. I recollect David Hughes going to his work on Wednesday night the 24th ult – also Aaron Charlton, Isaac Griffiths, and John Williams, I saw that the lamps of each of those men were locked on that occasion – I locked them myself – each of their lamps was in good order. They went to their work about six o’clock in the evening. After locking the lamps it is my duty to walk about the colliery to see that everything is right. I saw the four deceased men at their work at eight o’clock – Isaac Griffiths and John Williams were working together in a deep top-hole. Hughes and Charlton were working together down in lower level, No. 3, driving the heading on. Their lamps were then locked. I did not remain any time with them. The deceased were working in the Cribbor vein, east side. At four minutes past five o’clock I was on the drift leading to the Cribbor vein, when I heard an explosion which knocked me down. I was able to get up without assistance but was obliged to run back as fast as I could to the fresh air. I ran up to the furnace fearing it had blown the furnace off. There was no damage there – only a little dust come from the flue. I sent a little boy down to the “nine-feet” vein for John Evans (my deputy) to come up to me. He came up in about a quarter of an hour. I then went in part to the “boundary” in the “nine-feet” vein, but I found that the explosion did not occur in that district. Evans went into another district to see whether he could find out where the accident occurred. We both then went down to the “Cribbor” vein and at the bottom level, to the west, we found the crossings blown down. We then sent for some men to come with “brattices ” to try and get the ventilation restored. This occupied about half-an-hour. After putting the brattice up we tried to get in. Upon doing so I found one of the first “guagings” blown down. We repaired that and then went as far as the other “guagings”, this was also blown down, and we put this up again – the third “guagings” were also blown down. After passing the third guagings, I went on straight till I came to David Hughes place of working. He was lying down there dead – suffocated. He was working in the face of the lower level. I found him about ten yards from the face of the level. John Evans was with me when I found Hughes’ body, I did not find his lamp. The body was lying as if he was coming out – he was lying on his face. I found the bodies of Isaac Griffiths and John Griffiths – one in one side and the other in the other side of the upper level – both were lying near each other; they were about twenty-five yards from the face of the level. They appeared to be coming out of the level. I also found Charlton lying dead about three or four yards from the other bodies. I found his lamp – the case in one place and the bottom along side of him. The case was about four yards further out. I am certain Charlton could not take the top off his lamp without unlocking it. I am sure I locked it before he went on with his work. After finding Charlton’s lamp I took it back to William Barrow, the principal overman, and gave it to him. By. Mr. Evans: – I never lend my key to any one. I did not do so to Charlton on this occasion. After taking the lamp back to Barrow we got the bodies out. The second guagings were blown up – the third and first down. The brattices in the stalls were blown out. We have six stalls working there and they are bratticed with wood. There are canvass doors on the levels. The canvass was blown from the face to the outside. There were marks of fire on some of the timbers in the level.
John Evans: – I am deputy overman in the Morfa colliery, and was in the colliery on the night of Wednesday, the 24th ult. In the course of the night a messenger came to say that Rees Rees wanted to see me. I went to him, and was with him when he found the body of David Hughes, and also when he found the bodies of the other three men – all were dead when we first saw them. Rees Rees found Charlton’s lamp, which was the first found; it was then open, the case lying three or four yards from the bottom of the lamp – the bottom of the lamp was behind Charlton’s back. The second time I went in I found David Hughes’s lamp – this was between four and five o’clock. This lamp was unlocked but not off from the bottom. It was lying about two feet from his body. The light was out. I cannot say how the explosion took place.
By the Government Inspector: I did not find any other lamps. I was not in the level the night before the accident.
By a Juryman; I do not think that the explosion would have separated Charlton’s lamp in the manner we found it. Nobody but the fireman and the overman is allowed to carry a key.
Rees Rees re-called. In answer to a question by the Government Inspector, he said: – I found a little gas in the face of the heading above the timber – this was about eight o’clock on the night of the accident. It was nothing to apprehend danger from if the men had kept their lamps locked. If it had been “fire” it could not have hurted any one – it was such a small quantity. I did not find gas in any other part of the colliery. There was a good current of air – it could not be better.
Mr. Edward Rice Daniels sworn: – I am an under-viewer at the Morfa colliery. I was not down the pit on the night of the accident. I first heard of the explosion at twenty minutes to seven on the Thursday morning. In the course of the morning I went down into the pit. The bodies had been brought to the top of the pit before I went down. I found two lamps on the Friday evening, which was about thirty-six hours after the explosion. I found the lamp of John Williams about fourteen yards inside the innermost top-hole, and that of Isaac Griffiths a few yards from it. They were unlocked, but the cases were still screwed on. We know the lamps by the numbers on them. I delivered these two lamps to the overman, William Barrow.’
[Self-made key produced.]By the Government Inspector: I found this key (two long nails tied together) in the pocket of David Hughes. I did not see the other-self-made key (now produced) found. These keys would open the lock of a safety-lamp. I have seen similar self-made keys before.
[One of the lamps belonging to the deceased was here produced, and was easily unlocked by the self-made key – in fact, Mr. Grey, the general manager, said that the keys produced were much better adapted for the general locks of the lamps than a permanent key].Examination continued: I was not aware that such instruments were kept by the men – no persons was allowed to keep a key but those specially authorised in the rules.
Rule applicable thereto read – “No workman was allowed on any pretence to open his lamp – the penalty for so doing would be a penalty of 21. or to be imprisoned for a term of three months.”
Examination continued: I have heard that twelve months ago such an instrument as that produced was found on the deceased. Several of the colliers have been taken before the magistrates for so doing. In the year 1855, a man was sent for three months’ imprisonment for having opened his lamp whilst in the colliery. Within the past twelve months such a practice seems to have been altogether abandoned. I have not seen a naked lamp with any of the workmen within that period. We use powder in this vein.
Rule thirty-one read – this rule is observed – no shot is fired without the special permission of the overman or his, deputy – the latter of whom fires the shot.
By the Coroner: I was in this district the previous Tuesday, and through every working place, and found the district quite clear of gas in every stall and heading.
By the Government Inspector: At the time of the accident there was about 70,000 cubic feet of air. There was about 8000 cubic feet of air in this district per minute. We work about sixty tons of coal daily from this district. I cannot account for the accident unless it was that Isaac Griffiths or John Williams struck into a “blower” of gas, and this must have come in contact with the naked light of Aaron Charlton. There was also a great fall in the barometer during that night. I saw marks of fire out between two and three hundred yards on the lower level. Our headings are about forty yards before holing across.
Wm Williams sworn and examined by the Government Inspector; I am a collier working at the Morfa colliery. I was working the day before the explosion in the furthest deep in the face of the heading – the same place where Isaac Griffiths and my brother worked in the night. I left off work about a quarter to six that night – all was right when I left – there was no gas where I was working. I dare say there was a little in the level, but I did not see any. There was no danger at all events. The heading was stopped because we were in a “fault,” and not because there was no air there. I have been working in this colliery about a twelvemonth – the air was the same as usual. We always work with safety lamps, which are always locked at night by Rees Rees. I know it is a rule to keep the tops on the lamps. Never saw the self-made key before, which is now produced – have not seen many of them before. Have had rules both in English and Welsh.
John James sworn, and was examined by the Government Inspector: I am a collier at the Morfa colliery. The day before the accident I worked in the lower level of the Cribbor Vein. David Hughes worked in the same place – we worked there in turns. I left this heading about half-past three – there was no gas what ever there when I left. Had been working in the colliery: about nine years – all the men work with safety lamps. There was an explosion in this colliery eight years ago, and some men died from the effects of the burning-. [Mr. Grey, manager: I think there were seven died.] I never touch my lamp when in the works except I loose my light, and then I go to the lamp-man to get it lighted again. I am sure the men know that they must keep their lamps locked. If an officer of the pit was to catch me with my lamp unlocked I should expect to: be taken before the Magistrates and sent to prison for it.
- Matthews sworn: I am a collier in Morfa working in the furthest but one in the Cribbor Vein. I have been at work there about eight years – we work with safety lamps, which are always locked. I left about four o’clock in the afternoon of the day before the accident – there was no trace of gas there. I have rules, and I understand from them I am not to open the lamp. Never before saw the key now produced.
Mr. William Grey sworn: I am the colliery manager at the Morfa colliery, and have held the situation ten years; the colliery was partly in process of sinking when I entered. My first intimation of this accident was on Thursday morning, Nov. 25th, between one and two. About half-past two, I was in the district where the accident occurred. No time was lost in forcing a way in to ascertain if any hope of life was left. About six in the morning the bodies were got out. Charlton and Griffith did not appear to have received such injuries from burning as to cause their deaths. D. Hughes had no marks of fire or blows on him. John Williams had a severe blow in his head, quite sufficient to cause death. In my opinion, had the stoppings and crossing stood the shock of the explosion, Charlton, Griffith and Hughes would have got out with life; they no doubt died from the effects of choke-damp. The ventilation was restored and the face of the levels got to in about 36 hours after the explosion; the damage done to the district was very little and confined to its own locality. The four men’s lamps were all unlocked, and Charlton’s had even the case of his lamp off; keys or instruments for this purpose were found on Charlton, Hughes, and Griffiths. The system of ventilation we adopt is to ventilate as much as possible without air doors; the district where this accident occurred was, and is still, ventilated without a door. The air is split from the main body at the bottom of the engine plane, and taken along the main level as shown on the map airing the sheath of stalls, and going to the face of levels and returning by the back level and over a crossing, such crossing is over the main level and up a separate return to the upcast pit, and such upcast is not used for any other purpose than ventilation; one nine feet furnace, three boilers forty feet long, with the steam from three engines, all enter and goes up this upcast pit, which maintain 180 degrees, 20 feet from the top of the pit
The quantity of air as measured by Biran’s anemometer on Nov. 19th, 1858, only days before the accident, is:
- North Fawr: 16,830
- Main South drift or nine feet Cribbor Vein: 55,240
- Stables and four feet vein: 3,300
- Total quantity: 75,370
The day previous to the accident no gas was in the district; after the accident and when ventilation was restored, gas could not be found in any place but in the fore level, and then only where a hole was to be found in the top roof above the collars, or the timber, and even in such small quantity that how to account for the explosion is a very difficult question. The barometer fell very frightfully, but for a charge of gas to come off only by the fall of the barometer and charge the whole of the air going through the district is not credible. I believe that a blower of gas had been cut in the upper level and came in contact with Charlton’s lamp. as it is quite clear he had the case off his lamp. About four months back these same levels, when about 200 yards further out than they are at present, cut a blower of gas, and could not be worked for ten or twelve hours with the whole of the air belonging to the district acting upon it.
[Witness here referred to the rules for the regulation and management of the colliery, and instanced the fact that several men had been taken before the Magistrates for a violation of the rules, especially for opening their lamps in the works. Some of the men had three months’ imprisonment for so doing.]Witness proceeded to observe, that it could be clearly proved that the infliction of a fine before the Magistrates is of no nature towards the end intended to be obtained, as the fine and expenses are very generally made up to the man by subscription from other workmen in the colliery. As I have said before, it is difficult how to account for this accident, and more difficult still to know how to prevent a similar one from occurring again. For the whole time I have managed; for the Messrs. Vivian and Son, their distinct orders have always been that no expense is to be spared towards carrying out the best colliery principle and practice for safety. Mr. Hussey Vivian makes frequent visits, not only to our colliery, but all collieries he is connected with, and as a general principle presses on all to see and enforce the rules to be carried out.
By the Government Inspector: From what was seen after the accident I think the explosion occurred in the upper level of the western side of the Cribbor vein. I should like to do everything in my power to do away with firing off powder. I do not think we have any reason to believe this accident is connected with powder at all. I consider it perfectly safe to drive a heading forty yards before the air. I am very well satisfied with the general ventilation of this pit.
Francis Cole sworn: I am engaged at the Morfa Colliery to repair and oil the lamps. David Hughes’ lamp is No. 56; Charlton’s’, 282; Griffiths’, 109, and Williams’, 273. The bottoms of these lamps were given them on the night of the accident and were in perfect order then. Barrows brought me Charlton’s lamp and told me not to touch it. The top was on it then.
Thomas Evans, Government Inspector, said he examined the Morfa Colliery on Monday last in company with Mr. Grey and other officers, and went to the Cribbor Vein. The explosion is confined to the western side of this vein, and only four men were there employed. It is clear that the explosion must have been caused by the lamp of one of those four men; and that of Charlton being found open and the top off, would induce a person to believe that the gas had been fired by his lamp. There was a strong current of air passing where Charlton was working, which returned back to the deep. No gas was coming from the place where Hughes was working which could possibly pass by a naked light, and the only other place where gas might have come from was the spot where Griffiths and Williams were working. It was possible that gas might have bean given off there either by the very rapid fall of the barometer, or other causes, which might have come in contact with Charlton’s lamp. The whole arrangement of the colliery, as far as the ventilation is concerned, is very good. There was a large quantity of air going in, and it was well distributed. There were, however, one or two things which he should like to see improved upon. First, he thought the level was being driven too far before, the air; and, secondly, he should like to see the use of powder done away with, and he was of opinion that this could be done as was now the case at Pyle. Whatever amount of care, caution, and attention, however, was adopted on the part of the proprietors and managers of all colliers, all would be useless if the colliers themselves would not attend to the rules for the management of the works. He was firmly of opinion that if the rules had been adhered to in the present instance this unfortunate accident would not have happened – in fact, he had no hesitation in saying, that it must be attributed entirely to the men themselves. He had before observed, that the ventilation was very good, and the colliery was altogether one of the best regulated in the district; at the same time, he should like to see the two suggestions he had thrown out adopted.
Mr. Grey said he would do everything in his power to do away with the use of powder, or at all events to use it as sparingly as possible.
The Coroner very briefly summed up, being of the same opinion as Mr. Evans, that if the colliers had only attended to the rules the accident would not have happened.
The Jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
We cannot conclude without noticing the great activity, zeal, and intelligence displayed by Mr. Grey upon hearing of this unfortunate accident. Although in the middle of the night, he was quickly in attendance and risked his own life in his endeavours to save, if possible, those who were known to be in the pit. As a general manager, Mr. Grey is universally esteemed by the men; for whilst on the one hand he is a strict disciplinarian, he has ever the interest and welfare of those under him at heart, and does everything tin his power to promote their comfort.
This is the account of the inquest that appeared in the “Cambrian ” newspaper.
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