Ogmore Fach (SS 9755 8715)
This was a small level that was opened around 1890 by the Groeswen & Caradoc Colliery Company and in 1893 owned by the Ogmore Fach Colliery Company of Blackmill. In that year it employed 17 men working underground. It was worked by the pillar & stall method using naked lights.
During the major strike of 1893, the manager sought permission from the strike organisers in south Wales to start back production, stating that his men had accepted a wage of 5s 6d to 6s. 6d a day which was equal to an advance of 25% on the sliding scale of wages (the men were out for 20%). The men had even offered to return 1d per ton for his kindness.
In 1899 it employed 38 men and was owned by the Caradog Vale Colliery Company with the manager being W.H. Davies. In 1900 it employed 32 men but in 1901 it was listed as discontinued. In 1902 it employed 32 men and in 1903 it employed 23 men.
By 1905 it was owned by the South Wales United Collieries Limited and employed 25 men, in 1907 it employed 54 men and in 1909 employed 70 men at this mine with H.G.J. Barrow as the manager.
It worked the Lower Glynogwr seam which in this area had a thickness of coal 22 inches, dirt 2 inches, coal 12 inches.
It was closed when an inrush of water drowned four miners on the 26thof June 1906. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict amounting to one of manslaughter against Jacob Kingdon, manager and Ernest Quinton, agent of the South Wales United Collieries Limited. At Swansea Assizes, the judge ruled that there was no case against Quinton and Kingdon was tried and acquitted. The plans showed the working stall to be 22 yards from the old workings where in fact it was only 26 to 30 inches when the water burst through.
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.
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