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Big pit, Blaenavon, 2002
Sunk in 1860, it took the name "Big Pit" from the dimensions of the shaft, which was elliptical in shape with diameters of 18 and 13 feet. It became the coal-winding shaft; the older Coity pits (1840) were used for upcast ventilation. About 1878 the shaft was deepened to reach the Old Coal seam at 293 feet.
From the Inspector of Mines list 1896, Blaenavon Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. then owned it and there were 528 men employed producing Gas, House and Steam coal from the Old coal, Horn and Bottom Vein mine.
In 1908 it was listed with Dodd’s and Forge Slope, with a total workforce of 1,122.
Three men were killed here in a localised explosion on the
11th of December 1908.
They were :- George Williams 54, John Jones 21 and Nathaniel
Brankley 34.
Another three men lost their lives in a fire on April 7th
1913
They were :- Arthur Tucker; Manager of Kay's slope; Joseph
Jenkins, Under manager of Bit pit and William Bond, a Fireman
There were 956 men employed at Big pit in 1918.
From a list 1923, there were 1,399 men employed, producing House Coal, Steam Coal, Ironstone and Fireclay from the Horn, No. 2 Yard, Old Coal and Elled seams.
At the time of Nationalisation in 1947 Blaenavon Co. Ltd. owned it and there were 789 employed.
The original twin cylinder horizontal steam-winding engine with a flat rope was replaced by an electric arrangement in 1953.
In 1970 the manpower was down to 494 and the only seam worked was the Garw, with a maximum thickness of only 30 inches.
Coal winding ceased at Big Pit in 1973 after a new drift was driven enabling coal to be brought to the surface near to the washery. The shaft was used for man riding and ventilation only.
This colliery had some of the oldest workings in South Wales with some parts dating back to 1810. See photograph below.
The colliery ceased production on the 2nd of February 1980. It is now forms a vital part of the "Blaenavon World Heritage Site" and is run as a mining museum. It's well worth a visit.
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Engine Pit Level, Big Pit, built c.1810.