MineArchiveBlack Vein Colliery fall of coal, 1869
A fall of coal at Black Vein Colliery, Risca, on 27 February 1869 injured two colliers, a young man and one of 65; both died of their injuries within six weeks.
| Date | 27 February 1869 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Black Vein Colliery |
| Region | Caerphilly |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: Francis Hemmings and Thomas Watkins, both of their injuries weeks later.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of coal.
What happened
On 27 February 1869 a fall of coal at Thomas William Rhodes's Black Vein Colliery at Risca caught two colliers, Francis Hemmings, 24, and Thomas Watkins, 65. Both were badly hurt; Watkins died on 13 March and Hemmings on 9 April.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 27 February 1869 a fall of coal at Black Vein Colliery, Risca, fatally injured the colliers Francis Hemmings, 24, and Thomas Watkins, 65. 1,2
- Watkins died on 13 March and Hemmings on 9 April 1869. 1,2
- The colliery belonged to Thomas William Rhodes. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A fall of coal at Black Vein Colliery, Risca, on 27 February 1869 injured two…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “A fall of coal at Black Vein Colliery, Risca, on 27 February 1869 injured two colliers, a young man and…”
Sources
- (secondary) 1869 (Welsh mining fatalities by date) — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1860-1869, surnames H, part 2 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026