MineArchiveBlaennant Colliery haulage accident, 1905
On 19 July 1905 a sheave frame on a turn of the haulage road at Blaennant Colliery, Abernant, broke while a journey was being lowered to the shaft, and the rope lashed across the roadway, breaking the legs of three men. The master haulier David Peters died six days later and the hitcher William Williams also died.
| Date | 19 July 1905 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Blaennant Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Haulage / Transport |
| Fatalities | 2 (David Peters, 36, master haulier, of Little Row, Abernant, died 25 July; William Williams, 37, hitcher, of Colliers' Row (Welsh Coal Mines). Lewis Woodhouse of Penrheolgerrig, Merthyr, was also hurt.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A side sheave frame on a turn of the haulage road broke under the rope of a journey being lowered towards the shaft, the dip being outwards.
What happened
With the frame gone, the single rope swung to the other side of the roadway and struck David Peters, William Williams and Lewis Woodhouse, who were standing by; all three had their legs broken. The first reports called it an accident unattended with fatal results.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- A second of the injured men, William Williams, hitcher, also died, making two killed. (uncertain) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 19 July 1905 the framing of the hauling rope from the west district at Blaennant Colliery, Abernant, broke, and the rope swung across and knocked down three men, breaking the legs of all three. 1,2
- A journey of drams was being lowered towards the shaft on a single rope when a side sheave frame on a turn broke. 1
- David Peters, master haulier, of Little Row, Abernant, died of his injuries on 25 July 1905. 1,3
- A second of the injured men, William Williams, hitcher, also died, making two killed. (uncertain) 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Haulage (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 19 July 1905 a sheave frame on a turn of the haulage road at Blaennant Colliery, Abernant, broke while a journey was…” - Haulier (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…across the roadway, breaking the legs of three men. The master haulier David Peters died six days later and the hitcher William Williams…” - Journey (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…of the haulage road at Blaennant Colliery, Abernant, broke while a journey was being lowered to the shaft, and the rope lashed across the…” - Onsetter (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…men. The master haulier David Peters died six days later and the hitcher William Williams also died.” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Colliery, Abernant, broke while a journey was being lowered to the shaft, and the rope lashed across the roadway, breaking the legs of three…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh colliery fatalities, 1905 (Welsh Coal Mines) — Welsh Coal Mines website
- (primary) Evening Express, 21 July 1905: Abernant colliers injured — Evening Express (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) Evening Express, 25 July 1905: Abernant collier's death — Evening Express (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 20 October 2026 · Last researched: 20 October 2026