MineArchiveBedwas Navigation Colliery roof fall, 1930
A three-ton stone fell on two men turning a conveyor at Bedwas Navigation Colliery on 28 February 1930, mortally injuring John William Howley; the accounts differ on whether his companion James Williams was killed or injured.
| Date | 28 February 1930 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Bedwas Navigation Colliery |
| Region | Caerphilly |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 1 (1 or 2: John William Howley died on 3 March; NMRS records James Williams (48) as injured, Welsh Coal Mines as killed instantly.) |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of a stone of about three tons from a roof tested two hours earlier.
What happened
On 28 February 1930 John William Howley and James Williams had just finished turning a conveyor when a stone of about three tons fell from the roof and buried them both. The roof had been tested only two hours before and had sounded solid. Howley died in the Royal Gwent Hospital on 3 March. Welsh Coal Mines records Williams, a collier of 48 with a widow and six children, as killed instantly; the NMRS accident record lists him as injured, and gives one killed and one injured.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- James Williams, 48, was killed instantly. (disputed) 1
- The accident killed one man and injured one; James Williams survived. (disputed) 2,3
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- The fall occurred on 28 February 1930 and John William Howley died on 3 March. 1,2
- A stone of about three tons fell on the two men as they finished turning a conveyor; the roof had been tested two hours earlier. 1
- James Williams, 48, was killed instantly. (disputed) 1
- The accident killed one man and injured one; James Williams survived. (disputed) 2,3
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: “…stone fell on two men turning a conveyor at Bedwas Navigation Colliery on 28 February 1930, mortally injuring John William Howley; the…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1930 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: John W. Howley, Bedwas Navigation, 28 February 1930 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: James Williams (injured), Bedwas Navigation, 28 February 1930 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 16 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026