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Full Details

Surname
McGIE
Forename
William
Day
23
Month
05
Year
1908
Age
41
Occupation
Sinker
Mine/Quarry Name
Navigation
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Nixon's Navigation Co. Ltd
Location
Mountain Ash
County
Glamorganshire
Details of Event
The accident was the result of the breakage of a tooth of a cog wheel of a steam crab, which was lowering in the shaft a half moon stage, on which were several sinkers. The stage was being lowered by the brake, when the engine-driver, thinking that it was being lowered too rapidly, applied steam against the engine and stopped it rather suddenly. After about a minute the crab was again put in motion, and the broken tooth, which must have snapped when the engine was checked, forced the cog wheels apart, broke off segments of both spur and pinion, injured the brake path, and rendered the brake inoperative. The stage, being out of control, fell 18 yards to the bottom of the shaft, and canting on the uneven floor, threw deceased violently against the shaft side. He sustained a compound fracture of the skull, and died on the following day.