Death Roll
Main Colliery, Bryncoch
6th of April 1859
Found
Abraham, William. 47 Married, 7 children. Batting, Joseph. 31 Married. Davies, William. 72 Married, 9 children. Davies, Benjamin. 53 Married, 7 children. Davies, David. 25 Single. Dorman, Robert. 45 Married, 9 children. Evans, Llewellyn. 13 Boy. Griffiths, David. 57 Married, 4 children. Hopkin, Rosser. 43 Married, 7 children. Jenkins, David. 47 Married, 6 children. Jenkins, Thomas. 36 Married, 6 children. John, David. 24 Married. Lewis, Thomas. 43 Married, 10 children. Lewis, James. 34 Married, 3 children. John, John. 21 Married, I child. Lewis, John. 21 Single. Lloyd, Timothy. 56 Married, 4 children. Maddock, Tms. 23 Married. Morgan, David. 19 Single. Morgan, John. 23 Married. Morris, David. 28 Single. Rees, David. 22 Single.
Not Found
Rees, William. 53 Married, 4 children. Reynolds, Tms 25 Single. Wales, Joseph. 42 Married, 5 children. Williams, Henry. 44 Married, 4 children.
Newspaper account of the Accident
FRIGHTFUL COLLIERY ACCIDENT
Inundation of the works and loss of twenty-five lives
The painful and melancholy duty devolves on us this week again to record another of those frightful and heart rendering colliery accidents which have been, of late years, of frequent occurrence in the mining districts of South Wales, particulary in Glamorganshire. The scene of the present catastrophe, which has resulted in the death, by drowning, of no less than twenty-five men and boys and several valuable horses, was the Main Colliery, situate near Bryncoch, a short distance from Duffryn House, and about two miles from the town of Neath.
The colliery is the property of Messrs. Fox, Redwood, and Co., under who enterprising auspices it was re-opened about two years and half ago, and has since then been carried on by them with much vigour and, until this untoward inundation, with every promise of ultimate success.
The accident took place on Wednesday last. In the morning, the men and boys, to the number of 80, descended the pit as usual, in the vigour of youth and manhood, with light hearts and that buoyancy of spirits peculiar to the Welsh colliers, little dreaming of the proximity of that destructive element which was so soon to engulph them. Having descended, the colliers repaired to their various occupations, some to the headings. Some to the waggons, whilst others took their turns as explorers of drifts. The object of the explorers of drifts was to obtain an additional pit as an upcast shaft. This, we understand, was done at the suggestion of the Government Inspector, who objected to the men having only one way of ingress and egress to the colliery, as they were exposed to the smoke and heat passing through the winding shaft. Things went on smoothly until about eleven o'clock. At this time, there were what is called two turns of borers, three men in each turn. Whilst the borers were engaged in driving in a southerly direction, they unfortunately struck into the workings of an old colliery, called the Fire Engine Pit. Although the proximity of these old workings was well known, still there was not the slightest apprehension felt of any danger arising there from in as much as they had been, it was supposed, thoroughly drained previously to the re-opening of the Main Colliery. Indeed, so confident were the men, we are told, that they frequently ridiculed the idea of the old workings being a source of danger to them after the precautions which had been taken whilst they were being drained at the time already referred to. The old workings, however, proved treacherous. In the heading worked by Thomas Barker and Philip Thomas, the side bore hole came in contact with them, and the water began to flow apace. The men lost no time in attempting to plug the hole, but their efforts soon proved fruitless. The water gained on them with the rapidity that completely hurled them back by its volume and pressure. Seeing the danger that now threatened them, the alarm was given, and there was a general rush to the mouth of the shaft, the only way to escape. The usual danger signals having been exchanged with those at the mouth of the pit, the engine was brought into requisition, and not a moment lost in bringing up the men. Expeditious as they were, however, the flow of water was too impetuous for them, for in a very short time it was found that there was a perfect torrent pouring into the workings and rapidly extending itself even to the mouth of the shaft. Knowing that the water was thus rapidly overwhelming every thing at the only place of escape, the anxiety of those above may be better imagined than described. Tram after Tram was sent down with the greatest possible speed, and in a short time fifty-five men and boys, and two horses, were rescued. The number left in the pit is supposed to be about twenty-five, all of whom, it is feared, must have perished.
As soon as the news of the disaster extended, the friends and relatives of the colliers soon repaired to the spot. The scene that ensued was of the most heart rendering description. Parents, brothers, sisters, and friends, assembled in groups, mingled their lamentations, rent the air with their cries, and shed "the unavailing tear." In the midst of all this, everything was done that art and practical experience could suggest, by Mr. Graham, the Superintendent of the cutting, and those under him, to drain the water. As soon as it was found that no more men could be saved, two powerful engines were set to pump and the trams were converted into water tubs. These were sent up and down by the engines with marvelous speed, and brought up as many as 432 gallons per minute. Considering that the cutting is 95 fathoms in depth, this was deemed very good work. In addition to this, another powerful engine was set in motion, which pumped out 900 gallons per minute. By incessant working, it was found that in 12 hours the water was lessened about five feet. Yesterday, however, we regret to find that the quantity underwent but little diminution. As a proof of the rapid manner in which the pit got overflowed, we may mention that, in two hours after the discovery of the accident, the water flooded the shaft to a height of 63 feet. By four o'clock, it had reached 80 feet.
Some of the men and boys saved had a very narrow escape. One boy saved himself by clinging to a horse's tail. One horse having reached the shaft in time instinctively jumped in as one of the tubs reached the bottom. Another horse did the same, and by clinging to his tail, the lad saved his life. A man, named William Taylor, succeeded in saving three boys whilst they were plunging about in the bottom of the shaft. Another man was clutched whilst he was about to sink from sheer exhaustion. Poor Dorman, the foreman, who was in the pit when the water broke in, fell a victim whilst laudably endeavouring to warn and save others. He had, it appears, ample time to escape, and his loss is much felt. He has left behind him a wife and seven children.
The Government Inspector of Colliers arrived at the pit yesterday morning, and made a minute inspection. We understand that he fully approved of the temporary expedients resorted to to drain off the water. Until this is done, nothing more can be effected towards extricating the bodies that are now submerged in the pit. In reference to the particular spot where the borers were engaged, we were informed that every precaution was used as far as human foresight could suggest. As soon as the water is pumped out, a searching investigation, no doubt, will take place. Until then, it only remains for us to add that the accident has, as might be expected, caused a profound sensation, has evoked a feeling of deep sympathy for those poor families who have lost their all thereby, and has shed a gloom over the whole district which will not soon be dispelled.