Cefn Slip Colliery

Near Tondu, Bridgend (SS 8515 8350)

This mine was sunk in the 1860s and worked the difficult geology of the southern outcrop area under the ownership of the Cefn Slip Colliery Company to feed the Cefn Iron Works. In 1899 it was owned by the Bryndu & Port Talbot Collieries Company and managed by D.E.J. Rees, in 1905 the manager was Morgan Williams. In 1908 it was managed by C.E. Tapson and employed 350 men underground and 111 men on the surface.

By 1909 it was in the hands of the Bryndu Colliery Company which was owned by C. Davies of Cefn Cribbwr, and managed by William Jordan. It employed 469 men in 1911 and produced coking, manufacturing and house coals. Manpower was 450 in 1915/6 with the manager still being Mr. Jordan. It closed due to flooding in c1918.

Death is no respecter of age as can be seen by two of the many accidents at this colliery. On the 15th of September 1897 David Marks was only 13 years of age when he was run over and killed by trams, while on the 16th of February 1898 David Davies was aged 76 when he died from falling over.

A few of those who died at this mine were:

• 10/8/1882, John Bevan, aged 40, collier, run over by trams.
• 25/5/1891, Frederick J. Williams, aged 17, haulier, crushed by trams.
• 15/1/1892, Thomas Leyshon, aged 52, collier, roof fall.
• 15/9/1897, David Marks was only 13 years of age when he was run over and killed by trams.
• 16/2/1898, David Davies was aged 76 when he died from falling over.

Some statistics: Manpower:

• 1899: 333.
• 1900: 381.
• 1901: 412.
• 1902: 464.
• 1903: 441.
• 1905: 457.
• 1907: 417.
• 1908: 461.
• 1909: 461.
• 1910: 479.
• 1911: 469.
• 1912: 111.
• 1915/6: 450.

This information has been provided by Ray Lawrence, from books he has written, which contain much more information, including many photographs, maps and plans. Please contact him at welshminingbooks@gmail.com for availability.