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	Individual Details		Individual Details

Age:	15
Died:	6th Nov 1860
Accident:	6th Nov 1860
Year Born:	abt. 1845
Colliery:	Lower Duffryn
Company:	Thomas Powell and Son
Occupation:	Collier
Notes:	Explosion of gas (9 feet vein) ; Explosion, firedamp, ignition caused by safety lamp
Buried:	[not known]
Category:

Explosion of Gas, Lower Duffryn Colliery.

This is the third explosion this year at Messrs. Powell and Son's collieries. At this colliery within a few years, three explosions have taken place, and thirty three (33) lives lost. The shaft is in the valley of Aberdare, and the workings are of considerable depth, under the neighbouring mountains. The coal worked is that so well known in the market as the "Merthyr Steam Coal." I append my evidence as given at the coroner's inquiry, and it will explain the circumstances. The explosion took place on the morning of the 6th of November.

Thomas Evans, Esquire, was sworn, and said : I am Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines for South Wales; the Lower Duffryn Colliery, belonging to Messrs. Powell and Son, is in my district. I have made three inspections of the colliery since the explosion on the 7th, 12th, and the 16th instant, the last time in company with my colleague, Mr. Brough, with a view of ascertaining the cause of this terrible calamity, which took place on the 6th instant, and has been attended with great sacrifice to life. The explosion was confined to the workings in the nine (9) feet vein of coal, and its effects indeed, to No. 1 and 2 cross-headings, on the western side of the incline.

In forming my opinion as to the cause of the catastrophe, it was necessary, first to observe the position of the "doors," the brattice, and the traces of the fire along the headings. I have no doubt the ignition of the gas took place in the No. 11 stall, and then it passed through the windways in No. 1 cross-heading, and also along the upper level between No. 1 and 2 headings, and then down No. 2 heading. One burnt door in this heading may be especially considered as proof thereof. There was doubtless an accumulation of gas in No. 11 stall, it may be the canvas door was opened as alleged by previous witnesses, but there is no reliable evidence as to the fact. I found the No. 11 stall, six (6) yards in advance of the brattice ; this length, multiplied by the width, (eight yards) and again by the height, nine feet, gives 3,888 cubical feet of space, without any supply of air, except that which passed through the small hole described by Mr. Wilkinson, between No. 11 and 10 stalls, about 16 inches by 4 inches. I do not state that all this space was filled from floor to roof with inflammable gas, but it is clear a considerable portion must have been there at the moment of explosion, the extensive and fatal range of its operation is full evidence thereof. That the deceased "Box," had the gauze of his lamp off, it is reasonable to believe, and it was in my opinion his naked flame that was the immediate cause of the explosion ; but the primary one arose from an undue accumulation of fire-damp. The intake airways are in many places of small dimensions, sometimes exposing a sectional area of not more than sixteen (16) superficial feet. Now there can be no doubt that these mines are exceedingly "fiery;" giving off large quantities of gas under great pressure, perhaps more so than most mines in England. The coal is thick (eight (8) to ten (10) feet and ample ventilation is necessary); the airways therefore should not be less than thirty-six (36) feet area, to secure at all times an adequate amount of ventilation, and in the panel of work stated by Mr. Wilkinson to receive 9,600 feet per minute, I only can make it 6,900 feet, by measurement ; this, however, was just after the explosion, and I may state my opinion, that at least 15,000 feet per minute should be dedicated to that pair of headings, and their corresponding stalls. Blasting the coal is attended with danger in fiery mines where locked safety-lamps are used, and ought not to be allowed. Many serious accidents arise from this practice, and I hope it may be discontinued. Only this year a life was lost from this very cause in Messrs. Powell and Son's collieries. I do most earnestly and strongly recommend that some steps should be taken in addition to the special rules now in force, whereby some more severe punishment than a mere fine shall be inflicted upon those persons who are guilty of so dangerous a practice as removing the gauze from their lamps, or tampering with them for the purpose of smoking, obtaining more light, or under any other pretence whatsoever, and in future it is my determination to enforce the law ; and let this be a caution to all that are employed in mines, not to risk their own lives and those of others. The fireman, or other competent person, ought to examine all the lamps each morning, before the men have them delivered to them, and the duty certainly ought not to devolve on a mere boy. Rule 29, directs it shall be done by the fireman. The overman, fireman, and the chief officers, who watch the changes and carry out the safety regulations, can scarcely read or write. Keys for opening the lamps are intrusted, contrary to the rules (31 and 32) to the hauliers, they are hung up at the bottom of the shaft. Stations, if fixed upon for lighting lamps, are not used, for the fireman lights lamps anywhere he thinks proper. Cross examined : I do not think that 9,600 feet of air per minute is sufficient for this district of the mines, it should be 15,000 feet at least. I consider the underviewer has too much under his charge : the Lower Duffryn Collieries ought to have all his time ; they are very fiery mines, perhaps more so than any in this country.

Lionel Brough, of Clifton, Esquire, was then sworn, and said he was Inspector of mines for the south western district. I have made an examination of the Lower Duffryn Colliery, and have heard the evidence of Mr. Evans. I agree with him, but go still further, and would not work that district of the nine (9) feet vein, with less than 25,000 feet per minute. The brattice is not kept near enough to the face of the stalls, and the airways are small in places. I object to powder being used in fiery mines for blasting coal.

The jury after hearing the evidence, returned a verdict of accidental death.

Pub. Date	Article (Newspaper)
06 Nov 1860	Colliery Explosion Near Mountain Ash (Annual Register for 1860)
03 Dec 1860	News (Annual Register for 1860)

• 1860 Mines Inspectors Report, by Thomas Evans, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 118
• 1860 Mines Inspectors Report, by Thomas Evans, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 129, Accident Number: 91

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