MineArchiveAbercynon Colliery Shaft Accident, 1895
Six sinkers were killed at Abercynon Colliery on 9 September 1895 when the bowk they were riding struck a projection in the shaft and they were precipitated to the bottom.
| Date | 9 September 1895 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Abercynon Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 6 (Walter Norburt (27), John Pritchard (41), Owen R. Williams (25), Thomas Pugh (31), Edmund Morris (28) and Thomas Evans (29) — all sinkers.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The bowk — the large iron bucket used to raise spoil and carry men in a shaft being sunk — came into contact with a projection in the shaft, and the six men riding it were thrown out and fell to the bottom.
What happened
The shafts had been sinking since December 1889 and were within a year of reaching coal. On 9 September 1895 the bowk struck a projection in the shaft side and, in the words of the account, 'six poor fellows were precipitated down the shaft and killed'.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Six sinkers were killed: Walter Norburt (27), John Pritchard (41), Owen R. Williams (25), Thomas Pugh (31), Edmund Morris (28) and Thomas Evans (29). 1
- The bowk came into contact with a projection in the shaft and the six men riding it were precipitated down the shaft and killed. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…been sinking since December 1889 and were within a year of reaching coal. On 9 September 1895 the bowk struck a projection in the shaft side…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “Six sinkers were killed at Abercynon Colliery on 9 September 1895 when the bowk they were riding struck a…” - Kibble (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…were killed at Abercynon Colliery on 9 September 1895 when the bowk they were riding struck a projection in the shaft and they were…” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named 5 times in this record, first in the summary: “…1895 when the bowk they were riding struck a projection in the shaft and they were precipitated to the bottom.” - Shaft Sinking (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “The shafts had been sinking since December 1889 and were within a year of reaching coal. On 9…”
Sources
- (secondary) Abercynon Colliery — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Abercynon Colliery — Wikipedia
Record created: 3 September 2026 · Last researched: 3 September 2026