MineArchiveAbernant No. 9 Pit explosion, 1890
An explosion of gas at the No. 9 Pit of Abernant Colliery, Aberdare, in May 1890 killed a ripper and a haulier.
| Date | 16 May 1890 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Abernant No. 9 Pit |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (2 killed: William Thomas (27), ripper, and William Rees (23), haulier.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
An explosion of gas.
What happened
An explosion of gas at the No. 9 Pit, Abernant Colliery, near Aberdare, killed William Thomas, a 27-year-old ripper, and William Rees, a haulier aged 23. One account dates it 16 May 1890 and another 17 May. Falls of roof killed three more men at the pit before the end of the year.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- The explosion was on 16 May 1890. (disputed) 1
- The explosion was on 17 May 1890. (disputed) 2
- William Thomas, 27, ripper, and William Rees, 23, haulier, were killed by an explosion of gas at the No. 9 Pit, Abernant. 2,1
- Falls of roof killed three more men at the pit later in 1890. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “An explosion of gas at the No. 9 Pit of Abernant Colliery, Aberdare, in May 1890 killed a ripper and a haulier.” - Haulier (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…of Abernant Colliery, Aberdare, in May 1890 killed a ripper and a haulier.” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…the No. 9 Pit of Abernant Colliery, Aberdare, in May 1890 killed a ripper and a haulier.” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…aged 23. One account dates it 16 May 1890 and another 17 May. Falls of roof killed three more men at the pit before the end of the year.”
Sources
- (secondary) No 9 Colliery — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1890 — Welsh Coal Mines
Record created: 17 October 2026 · Last researched: 17 October 2026