Celynen Colliery

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Abbot, John, 21 Jan 1884, aged 33, Timberman, Fall of stone. He was ripping top and in barring out some timber it fell unexpectedly and killed him

Absolom, Joseph, 14 May 1909, aged 36, Collier, A heavy fall of several hundred tons at the working face fastened and imprisoned them both. The boy lived about 16 hours and the man 26 hours ; they were able to talk with the men trying to release them for 12 hours or so, but succumbed before they were reached. Apparently a sudden squeeze, acting on weak roof between a "grime" and a "fault" caused the fall. There does not seem to be blame attached to anyone, and I have pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficiency and courage displayed by all concerned, from the manager downwards, in the efforts made to rescue these poor fellows. They were worthy of the noble traditions of English colliers and miners with regard to such circumstances [More information ...]

Adams, David, 09 Nov 1899, (accident: 01 Sep 1898), aged 59, Fitter, Died on the 9th November from injuries received at Celynen Colliery, on the 1st September 1898. He fell from the floor of the air compressor down to the foundations of the engine house when he was lowering steam pipes. Death having resulted more than a year and a day after the accident occurred, it is not comprised [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Adams, Ernest, 12 May 1914, (accident: 22 Apr 1914), aged 21, Rider, He was riding on a slow moving journey, and in jumping off, so as to signal to the engineman, he slipped on a compressed air pipe, on the floor level, and fell underneath the trams. He died from his injuries at Newport Hospital on May 12th, 1914

Ash, Robert, 25 May 1893, aged 57, Labourer, Knocked down and fatally injured by a tram which two timbermen were using on an inclined part of the North Engine Plane, they having failed to adequately sprag it

Bennett, Bernard Alfred James, 12 Dec 1924, 3.0 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 20, Haulier, A tram containing two casks of water, which his horse was drawing out of a dip heading, collided with another tram upturned at the side. This caused the discharge of a pair of timber and a small fall followed. He was struck by the timber and a part of the fall, being so severely injured that he died shortly afterwards. Electric safety lamp used

Box, Edward, 29 Apr 1900, (accident: 21 Apr 1900), aged 33, Collier, Edward Box, 33, collier, employed at Celynen Colliery, died on the 29th April from pneumonia. He sprained his wrist when at work underground on the 21st April, and an attempt was made to prove that his illness was the result of the sprain. Medical evidence showed that although the accident might have aggravated the illness, it could not have been the direct cause of death [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Brace, Mark, 17 Dec 1896, aged 35, Oiler, The clamp on the rope for connecting the drum while hauling tight the endless rope slipped thus causing a jerk on the small hand crab used for taking up the slack, the handle of which slipping from his hands revolved throwing him forward and resulting in fatal injuries. This is the third or fourth similar accident at this colliery. The manager now informs me that he has caused a patent chain block to be used instead of the winch which it is hoped will prevent a reoccurrence

Bray, Thomas, 25 Mar 1907, (accident: 07 Feb 1907, 4.30 a.m., 10th hour of shift), aged 49, Overman, A frightened runaway horse knocked him against some trams on an engine plane, by which he received injury to his chest. He resumed work after being idle for five or six weeks, but at the end of a week broke down again, and died on the 25th March. It appears that when being taken along the engine plane the haulage rope touched the horse, which frightened it, and deceased tried to turn it into a side road

Breeze, Jonathan, 30 May 1904, aged 38, Timberman, Fall of roof. When examining a stall road a heavy fall occurred displacing three or four pieces of timber. The roof is very soft and a bump probably caused the fall

Brooks, Jonathan, 05 Nov 1900, (accident: 05 Jul 1898), Collier, An inquest was held on the 5th November on the body of Jonathan Brooks, a collier, who was injured at the Celynen Colliery on the 5th July, 1898. As the death did not occur within a year and a day of the accident it is not considered to be comprised under the Act [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Brown, John, 09 Jul 1889, aged 19, Collier, Fall of coal from the face in consequence of inadequate spraging only two or three weeks previously some men from this colliery had been proceeded against before the justices and were fined for the same thing

Burgess, George, 28 Dec 1898, aged 39, Timberman, An empty tram which he was driving in turning into the haulage road left the rails and struck a leg from under the coupling which with which a quantity of the roof fell on him causing immediate death

Burgess, William H., 07 Nov 1907, 10 p.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 17, Haulier, Fall of roof on a road down which he was taking a tram of rubbish. The road was in good order and properly timbered with 6 inches to 9 inches space between the trams and the timbers. Apparently the tram must, from some unknown cause, have jumped the rails and struck an arm causing two collars to fall and let down 30 to 35 trams full of rubbish

Bush, William, 08 Feb 1912, (accident: 03 Feb 1912), aged 50, Collier, Fall of roof at working face. While filling his coal box, he was fatally injured by a piece of clod roof falling upon him. Died February 8th, 1912

Carey, Michael Martin, 04 Jan 1905, (accident: 15 Nov 1904), aged 44, Collier, Michael Martin Carey, 44, collier, died on or about the 4th January from pneumonia. He had injured his leg when at work at Celynen Colliery on the 15th November, 1904, and an attempt was made to show that death was the result of the accident, but the doctor's evidence showed without any doubt that it had no connection with it [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Case, Joseph, 18 Oct 1885, (accident: 16 Oct 1885), aged 15, Door boy, Injured by a tram and died on the 18th. An empty tram was off the rails the haulier was lifting the front end on and the boy Case was in the act of putting a spragg in the hind wheel when the horse jerked the tram road it again came off the rail

Catley, Davies, 13 Jul 1887, aged 13, Door boy, Fall of timber and stone in the main haulage road within 100 yards of the shaft. Contrary to orders he was riding in with the journey of trams when one got off the rails at a crossing and knocked out some of the timber which with the stone fell upon him causing immediate death

Coleman, Stanley, 02 Dec 1924, (accident: 01 Dec 1924, 10 a.m., 3rd hour of shift), aged 34, Screen Foreman, One of the two long canvas belts conveying small coal to a bunker had become overloaded and had to be stopped. He went through the fencing in order to throw some of the coal on to the parallel belt, which was kept working. The sprocket wheel and chain drive was at his back, and by some means his coat was caught by the sprocket wheel. He was drawn in and revolved around by the wheel, being so badly injured that he died on the following day. The sprocket wheel and chain drive should have been stopped before he went inside the fence, and when this was done on a previous occasion a caution was given that it should not be repeated

David, William, 12 Nov 1908, aged 31, Collier (acting as haulier), Crushed by corner of tram against timbers as he was trying to pass at the side. The trams were afterwards found off the rails, which is a frequent cause of accident, and will continue to be so until a definite and sufficient space at the side of the tram is specified by the rules. (Horse haulage)

Davies, David R., 30 Apr 1896, aged 23, Haulier, While riding on a tram taking in timber he forgot a low place in the wall against which he was crushed

Davies, George, 03 Jul 1903, aged 50, Collier, A heavy fall of coal and clod occurred unexpectedly from above the rippings, which Davies was engaged upon, it extended across the road and 9 or 10 yards up the stall

Davis, Owen, 28 Jan 1889, aged 33, Labourer, He was crushed between railway trucks and the wall of the pit bank. His intention was to allow them to pass, and but for a protruding bolt in one of the tracks he would have been safe where he stood

Downs, Mayo, 11 Aug 1904, aged 18, Collier, Fall of side. Fall of clod and coal from an unseen "back slip" at the face, which knocked out the sprag and crushed him

Evans, Daniel, 07 Apr 1894, aged 21, Haulier, Fall of side in a stall where there had been a crush. He was following the horse and full tram when a quarter to half a tram full of clod and crushed coal fell from the side knocked him down and injured his back causing death within half an hour. He had been a haulier for some years and had also worked as a collier. By increased use of timber and vigilance on the part of the examiner or fireman this accident might probably have been provided against

Evans, Isaac, 28 Sep 1885, aged 16, Door boy

Evans, Thomas, 11 Nov 1880, aged 24, Collier, Fall of coal

Evans, Thomas, 05 Oct 1882, aged 17, Collier, In ripping back a pillar a large stone fell from a slip wihtout any warning

Evans, W., 18 Jan 1883, aged 17, Door boy, A haulier with which he worked was lowing down some loaded trams to make up a journey, and deceased tried to put in the coupling hook but missed the ring and was crushed. He had been ordered not to go between the trams

Evans, William, 25 Feb 1903, aged 21, Haulier, When walking in front of his horse and a journey of three trams, he apparently stumbled and fell between the rails, the first tram going over him. The horse was standing quiet when he was found

Fieldon, James, 03 May 1895, (accident: 02 May 1895), aged 30, Haulier, Returning along the engine plane to the shaft at the end of his shift he attempted in jump on a journey which was in motion in doing so he missed his footing and fell under the trams receiving injuries from which he died the following night

Franks, Arthur, 21 Nov 1895, (accident: 08 Nov 1895), aged 27, Collier, A sudden fall of roof in the face (2ft 6ins x 1ft 8ins x 1ft) from slips discharged a post which was under it struck him severely lacerating his leg and bruising him generally. Pneumonia set in and he died November 21st, 1895

Gadd, Ernest, 14 Dec 1895, aged 14, Collier's boy, Fall of roof from unseen slips at the face it discharged a post standing under it and broke off at another

Gettings, Charles, 26 Aug 1888, aged 52, Platelayer, The slipping of a wooden cistern from chocks on which they had raised it with a view to getting a tram underneath, in order to remove it to a washing machine, which was being erected. He was under it doing something to the packing when it slipped and crushed his head

Gibson, Ralph E., 09 Jan 1928, (accident: 04 Jan 1928), aged 57, Assistant coalcutter, Fall of stone. Died 9th

Griffiths, John, 08 Nov 1882, aged 55, Fireman, He and the overman were examining for gas in the old workings and the top began to work, and before they could escape a large fall occurred, burying the overman and killing Griffiths on the spot

Griffiths, John, 10 Jun 1913, (accident: 19 May 1913), aged 60, Repairer, He struck his knee against an iron sprag, causing a slight abrasion. He died from blood poisoning on June 10th, 1913

Hardwell, Edward, 15 Aug 1906, (accident: 13 Jul 1906), aged 31, Collier, Edward Hardwell, 31, collier, died on the 15th August from a clot of blood stopping the circulation, It was alleged that death was the result of injury received on the 13th July at Celynen Colliery by a mandril falling down the shaft and inflicting a small punctured wound to his knee, but which drew no blood. It was proved that he had recovered from that sufficiently to walk to Crumlin — about two miles distance — and that on [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]returning he fell and fractured the same leg [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Harris, Oliver, 18 Aug 1913, aged 21, Collier, While riding inbye to his work in the afternoon shift, he fell out of a tram and was crushed by the following ones

Hole, Stephen J., 16 Oct 1928, (accident: 10 Sep 1928), aged 25, Collier, While attempting to pass horse he jumped on gun and hit head against timber. Died 16th Oct

Hooper, W., 27 Oct 1881, aged 44, Collier, Fall of top. He was drawing timber when a stone overtopped the remaining props and killed him

Hughes, Henry, 18 Apr 1893, aged 18, Haulier, Run over by the empty journey at the double parting into which they were being drawn by the haulage arrangements (main and tail rope). How it actually occurred or the cause for it is not clearly explained

Hughes, Samuel, 04 Dec 1893, aged 19, Haulier, Fall of roof. When taking in a tram of rubbish into a stall for stowing up the gob he passed the turn out a short distance and was backing the horse. It appears to have disturbed some of the timbers resulting in a fall which buried and smothered him. The fireman was close beside him when it occurred and himself only narrowly escaped

James, Norwood, 25 May 1888, aged 27, Collier, Fall of coal from the face from two unseen slips

Jasper, William, 27 Jun 1884, aged 14, Door boy, Contrary to orders, he was trying to couple two trams, and when they joined up he missed the hook and his head was crushed between them

Jenkins, John, 06 Oct 1880, aged 35, Collier, Fall of coal. There was a natural slip which was invisible and caused the coal to fall

Jenkins, Robert, 17 Aug 1906, (accident: 24 Jun 1905), aged 66, Collier, Robert Jenkins, 66, collier, died suddenly from heart disease on the 17th August. He had met with a slight accident to his great toe when at work at Celynen Colliery on the 24th June, 1905, and it was attempted to connect death with this injury [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Jenks, James, 06 Aug 1902, aged 29, Collier, James Jenks, 29, a collier employed at Celynen Colliery died from the rupture of an ulcer in the stomach on the 6th August. It was attempted to show that the man had strained himself while at work, but the medical evidence was to the effect that a strain would not cause an ulcer, although it might possibly produce the rupture [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Jones, Andrew, 31 Jul 1884, (accident: 30 Jul 1884), aged 47, Collier, Injured internally by a fall of stone, and died the following day

Jones, Charles, 29 Aug 1905, aged 35, Timberman, When acting as journey rider a fall of about ten trams of rubbish occurred and buried him

Jones, David, 03 Jan 1881, aged 16, Collier, The place was apparently perfectly safe when a "bumper" forced off a large piece of coal, killing Jones and injuring another man

Jones, Herbert, 03 Jan 1903, aged 38, Fireman, While riding inbye in an empty tram and having reached the double parting, the catch or devil (which was out of order) caught the axle of the fourth tram causing the shackle between it and the third to break ; the strain upon the rope caused by the load or journey being thus relieved the trams sprang forward and jerked Jones against the roof, causing injuries from which he is alleged to have died

Jones, James A., 22 Jan 1909, (accident: 13 Aug 1908), aged 47, Master Haulier, He appears to have strained (ruptured) himself on this date by lifting a tram ; he continued to work until August 24th, but not afterwards, and died on January 22nd, 1909, from exhaustion caused by cancer. There appears to have been a conflict of opinion among medical authorities as to whether cancer can or cannot result from the effect of a strain or rupture. The doctor who attended the deceased did not apparently diagnose cancer until 20th November. The medical evidence at the inquest — the doctor who attended him — was to the effect that he died from cancer due to a strain, or if cancerous germs existed before that, death was accelerated by the strain. I understand that the other doctors present at the post mortem (which was made by the doctor attending deceased) dissented from the views expressed, but they were not called by the coroner

Jones, Owen, 11 Feb 1876, aged 60, Sinker, Fell down shaft ; died next day

Keeling, Albert J., 07 Jun 1907, 6.50 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 15, Engine Cleaner, Killed in the winding engine house, No. 3 Pit. He appears to have been cleaning some part of the engine, although not exactly proved to have been so at the moment. His head was crushed between the steam brake lever and the lever on the reversing handle underneath the platform, six feet above the floor of engine house, on which the engineman stands. How he came to be caught is unknown, as the engineman was letting men down at the time, and could not see him

Kinsey, Evan, 17 Feb 1899, (accident: 01 Oct 1898), aged 56, Haulier, Fell in front of his horse and two full trams, receiving injuries from which he died on the 17th Febrary 1899

Lavender, James S., 08 Feb 1907, (accident: 11 Nov 1906), aged 60, Ash-filler, While engaged at his work his thumb was slightly injured ; whether a splinter of wood entered it or caused a slight scratch, was not defined. The medical evidence was, that blood-poisoning supervened upon a slight scratch on his left thumb and resulted in death on the 8th February, 1907. This is a case which, in all probability, before the Compensation Act, would not have come under notice as a mining fatality

Lavender, James Samuel, 25 Sep 1896, (accident: 24 Sep 1896), aged 15, Colliers' boy, He and three others took an empty tram and rode down an incline loosing control this boy, who was sitting at the front was crushed against full trams standing in the road. He died from the injuries the following day

Lawrence, John, 29 Jun 1886, aged 55, Collier, Fall of stone. A wedge shaped stone fell from the roof the place was properly timbered

Lewis, David Alfred, 05 Mar 1924, 9.15 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 26, Collier, A number of men, including Woolley and Lewis, were making their way to the pit bottom at the end of the shift when they were caught by five runaway loaded trams. Woolley was killed outright, Lewis died a few hours later, and two of the other men were seriously injured. The runaway trams had been detached by a trafficman from a derailed journey, to facilitate the work of replacing the derailed trams on the road, and were left standing with 16 sprags in the wheels. For some unexplained reason the trams ran wild and caught the men. Two runaway switches were provided on the haulage plane, and it is doubtful whether they were open at the time. Electric safety lamps were used [More information ...]

Lewis, George, 15 Feb 1894, aged 21, Collier, A fall of roof (about 8 or 4 cwt.) as he was stooping over the end of a tram in the stall road near the face of his working place in the Black Vein. It occurred from a semicircular joint or slip in consequence of the roof weighting. The place was secured with props and cogs at the sides but not with double timbers which would probably have prevented the accident. He had been working three months for the contractor had worked previously at this colliery and had also worked at the Albion Colliery Pontypridd

Lewis, James, 08 Nov 1876, aged 35, Collier, Fall of stone

Lewis, James Charles, 21 Jun 1895, aged 31, Labourer, He was allowing a tram which he and another man were taking along a road to pass him when he was fatally crushed against the side

Lewis, Llewelyn, 18 Feb 1924, (accident: 12 Feb 1924, 11.30 a.m., 5th hour of shift), aged 55, Collier, Having set a post at one end of a flat, he was proceeding to set a post at the other end, when a large stone fell from the roof and he was so badly injured that he died on the 18th February. The stone fell from between a slip along the coal face and another parallel slip 3 ft. away. Electric safety lamp used

Lewis, William, 17 Jan 1927, aged 37, Haulier, Found lying on main road. Died soon after

Llewellyn, Methusaleh, 12 Sep 1901, (accident: 09 Jul 1901), aged 57, Timberman, Methusaleh Llewellyn, 57, a timberman at Celynen Colliery, died on the 12th September from natural causes. It was alleged that he strained himself while at work on the 9th July, but the doctor's evidence was clear, that death in no way resulted from the accident [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Marden, Thomas, 21 Aug 1905, Collier, Thomas Marden, collier, died suddenly on 21st August from "natural causes," when returning home from Celynen Colliery, where he had been working [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Matthews, Henry, 06 Dec 1894, aged 70, Underground Labourer, Henry Matthews, 70 years of age, formerly a labourer underground at Celynen Colliery, died on the 6th December from heart disease. About three years before he had had his leg broken in the mine, and had never resumed work, hence the police reported it to the coroner [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Meredith, Thomas, 02 Dec 1893, (accident: 09 Nov 1893), aged 47, Collier, Fall of clod from face. While filling a basket of coal on the floor a small stone only a few pounds weight fell over from the face and owing to his stooping position knocked him on the sharp edge of the iron basket which he was s using and cause d him pain in the side for the rest of the shift 5 or 6 hours which he worked out. He afterwards remained an extra half turn and only the next day sent for the doctor who on examination found that the damage was serious. Having a weak constitution the effects proved fatal on 2nd Dec. According to the medical evidence death probably would not have resulted had he been a reasonably fit man

Miller, John, 19 Feb 1914, aged 22, Collier, When travelling on a haulage road, up an incline, behind a journey of full trams which was being hauled up by means of a rope, a shackle link broke and 10 trams ran back, killing Miller and severely injuring a comrade

Morgan, Frederick Charles, 15 Jul 1924, 2.10 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 47, Pitman, It being necessary to take a measurement from the surface to a point in the upcast shaft, the pitman, with his assistant, were raised up from the Black Vein, at a depth of 435 yards, and a signal wire rope was lowered to them off a reel. The men were on an ordinary coal tram, attached to the winding rope by two sling chains, which passed around the frame of the tram. The wire was run off the reel as the tram descended and the wire got slack, with the result that a loop got hold of the tram. The latter overran the wire and tilted over, throwing the assistant pitman on to the sling chain, at his end. The sling chain at the pitman's end was pulled out from beneath the tram, and when it consequently dropped at that end, he fell into the shaft. The pitman was found dead at the pit bottom. The ordinary sinking bowk should have been used for the work carried out. Safety belts should also have been used

Morgan, James, 05 Jan 1907, (accident: 13 Oct 1906), aged 45, Collier, When chipping coal off the face a small piece flew and struck his eye. An operation was performed, but pneumonia set in, and he died on the 5th of January, 1907, death having been, according to medical evidence, accelerated by the accident

Morgan, William, 09 Apr 1900, (accident: 30 Mar 1900), aged 28, Assistant hitcher, When waiting to unscotch the empty trams on the descending cage he slipped, and the cage alighting on his leg fractured it. He died on the 9th April from the injuries

Moss, Charles A., 27 Feb 1894, aged 13, Door boy, Run over by full trams which he was assisting a haulier in bringing down a heading in the Black Vein. The boy was in front of the horse and his foot appears to have got fastened in a crossing and before he could get it free three out of four trams passed over his leg from the effects of which he died the same day. It appears to me that the practice of allowing door boys to travel with hauliers is one which should not be allowed as it frequently results in accidents. I have called attention to it at this colliery before and likewise at others. If more than one person is needed I hope adults will be employed instead of boys

Murnon, Edgar, 17 Feb 1897, aged 44, Collier, Fall of roof on a roadway while engaged by order of the overman, setting timber to secure the place. Killed instantly

Nicholas, John, 13 Feb 1897, aged 31, Master haulier, A tram which having got off the rails was being drawn by a horse to a crossing with a view to getting it on the rails again knocked out a pair of timbers. A fall of roof resulted and killed him

Phillips, Alfred, 14 May 1909, aged 18, Collier, A heavy fall of several hundred tons at the working face fastened and imprisoned them both. The boy lived about 16 hours and the man 26 hours ; they were able to talk with the men trying to release them for 12 hours or so, but succumbed before they were reached. Apparently a sudden squeeze, acting on weak roof between a "grime" and a "fault" caused the fall. There does not seem to be blame attached to anyone, and I have pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficiency and courage displayed by all concerned, from the manager downwards, in the efforts made to rescue these poor fellows. They were worthy of the noble traditions of English colliers and miners with regard to such circumstances [More information ...]

Powell, Charles, 15 Jun 1888, aged 24, Collier, Fall of coal and clod unexpectedly at the face of the working having been loosely a heavy bump

Powell, R., 20 Oct 1881, (accident: 14 Oct 1881), aged 42, Collier, Injured by a fall of clod caused by a "bumper" and died on the 20th

Pugh, William, 19 Dec 1882, aged 19, Haulier, He was riding on the front tram and in jumping off fell and the tram passed over him

Rawson, John, 24 Nov 1884, aged 40, Collier, On November 24th, John Rawson, a collier, 40, fell over a foot-bridge at Celynen Colliery on to the railway sidings when on his way to work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Richards, D. D., 19 Jul 1882, (accident: 17 Jul 1882), aged 34, Timberman, Deceased lost his presence of mind and ran from a place of safety in front of some trams on an underground engine plane. He died on the 19th

Richards, George, 30 Apr 1901, aged 42, Filler, Was entangled in a turn pulley for endless haulage rope leading from the counter-balance pulley into the engine house underground. How he got there is unknown. He had been sent to tighten the brake, but before completing it allowed the engine to be started ; the engineman, finding he had lost control and that the brake would not act, called to everyone to leave the engine house, which they did, including Richards

Rigby, Llewellyn, 16 Dec 1925, (accident: 04 Dec 1925), aged 23, Labourer, Struck on thumb by piece of rubbish. Died of scepticemia 16th

Roberts, Henry, 28 Apr 1915, aged 60, Pumpsman, Explosion of gun powder at home - preparing it for work

Sheppard, Henry J., 11 Dec 1907, 1 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 23, Timberman, The stone which he was engaged in getting down fell on his head as he was in a stooping position clearing some stone from the rails to allow of a haulier passing out with his journey. The place and the work were apparently about the safest in the Colliery, but the stone gave way suddenly from an unseen slip at the back and side, his work no doubt having shaken it

Simson, John, 14 Dec 1888, aged 19, Collier, Crushed at the pit bottom on entering the cage after it was signalled away

Stephens, Issac, 01 Feb 1893, aged 33, Collier, Suffocated by firedamp which had accumulated in a hole in the roof at the side of a stall road where a fall 8 or 9 feet high had occurred two months previously. The place was ventilated by a sheet across the road and it is alleged was clear when examined on the morning of the accident and that there had not been any firedamp found there for some time back. He was an old and experienced repairer on the stall road about 50 yards distant ripping reef. He had lost a shovel a week or so before and is supposed to have been looking for it

Tedstone, William, 09 May 1914, aged 32, Pumpsman, He was suffocated in a pump lodge room, 75 yards from the surface, in a sinking shift, owing to a steam joint "blowing" right into it from a 3-inch column of pipes fixed in the shaft. The steam was under 160 lb. per square inch pressure. The lodge room was a small one — about 12 feet square — with only one connection into the shaft

Tite, George, 13 Dec 1878, aged 13, Door boy, Killed by falling under trams

Trunkfield, Henry, 11 Aug 1904, aged 25, Collier, Fall of roof. A contractor named Williams, for whom deceased worked on the coal, had been ripping roof and had failed to get a piece down, and purposed setting timber under it in consequence. In the mean time deceased came out to fetch an empty tram in to the face, and while doing so, assisted by Williams, the stone fell, just as he was under it, and caused fatal injuries

Ward, Arthur J., 13 Jun 1907, 10.30 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 14, Collier, Fall of coal from the working face in the Black Vein in consequence of a very heavy "Bump" which occurred ; although two sprags were set against it they were not sufficient to provide against the circumstances

Watts, William Henry, 07 Mar 1914, aged 39, Fireman, A fall of roof occurred as he was riding in some trams for the purpose of doing some repairs

Williams, David, 28 Aug 1882, (accident: 26 Aug 1882), aged 48, Shaftsman, He fell 7 yards down the shaft owing to the hinge of the stage he was standing on breaking. He died on the 28th

Williams, David, 30 Mar 1904, aged 44, Rider, Run over by trams. The engine plane being about two-and-a-half miles in length, the haulage is effected in two sections, having separate hauling engines, both of which are situated near the shaft. The ropes for the inner length run on the floor outside the rails along the side of the outer section of the road. One of these ropes displaced an old lag or post lying at the side and moved it across the rails, and in consequence the journey, on the front of whioh deceased was riding, on reaching this point was upset

Williams, George, 30 Jan 1911, aged 45, Collier, Fall of roof at working face

Williams, George, 13 Jan 1924, (accident: 08 Jan 1924, 2.30 a.m., 4th hour of shift), aged 54, Timberman, He was attending to some masons, who were on a staging, building side walls for securing a cavity in the roof, and was standing immediately beneath the staging, when a large stone fell from the cavity in the roof. The fall caused the staging to collapse, and Williams was so badly injured that he died on the 13th January. Electric safety lamp used

Williams, Herbert, 25 Oct 1896, (accident: 19 Oct 1896), aged 36, Collier, From the evidence at inquest it would appear that he complained of having strained himself as he thought but making light of it he worked another shift and did not report it. Death resulted on the 25th instant from a twisted bowel which the doctor stated might or might not have resulted from a strain

Williams, John, 15 Feb 1887, aged 45, Engineman, An accident had occurred to the bed plate of the winding engine and he and others were preparing to put in another holding down bolt. A cage full of men were coming up and deceased mistaking the last but one revolution of the engine for the last got into the crank pit and was killed. He had worked the engine ever since its erection eight or nine years before

Williams, John, 24 Jun 1910, (accident: 19 May 1910), aged 52, Tipper, Strained himself by lifting a piece of coal. Died 24th June, 1910

Williams, Thomas, 19 Jan 1925, (accident: 16 Jan 1925), aged 36, Overman, Lifting empty tram when jourmey moved. Died 19th

Woodfield, Thomas, 27 Feb 1929, (accident: 20 Feb 1929), aged 34, Rider, Alleged to have been injured when lifting full tram on road. Died 27th

Woolley, William Raymond, 05 Mar 1924, 9.15 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 16, Collier's Helper, A number of men, including Woolley and Lewis, were making their way to the pit bottom at the end of the shift when they were caught by five runaway loaded trams. Woolley was killed outright, Lewis died a few hours later, and two of the other men were seriously injured. The runaway trams had been detached by a trafficman from a derailed journey, to facilitate the work of replacing the derailed trams on the road, and were left standing with 16 sprags in the wheels. For some unexplained reason the trams ran wild and caught the men. Two runaway switches were provided on the haulage plane, and it is doubtful whether they were open at the time. Electric safety lamps were used [More information ...]

Yates, Lewis, 20 Jun 1908, aged 28, Collier, Fall of roof in the main engine road at a bridge (about 2 yards in length), or short piece left unfinished by the repairers. The timbers were probably loosened by a journey which got off the road a quarter of an hour before. The examiner of the district examined it and thought it safe, and was at the place when the accident occurred. I think he was guilty of an error of judgment in allowing the journey and the men to pass, although he had had some timbers set to secure it