Broadmoor Colliery chain break, 1844

On 13 May 1844 eight men and boys were being drawn up the shaft of Broadmoor Colliery at Begelly, Pembrokeshire, when the tub caught on timber near the top and the chain broke. They fell to the bottom; seven died, among them a boy of eleven, and one survived.

Cause

The tub carrying the men caught on timber at the side of the shaft near the top, and the chain broke.

Contributing factors

Unknown.

What happened

Broadmoor was a small anthracite pit at Begelly, working the Timber Vein from about 1820. On 13 May 1844 eight men and boys were coming up the shaft in the tub when, close to the top, it caught on some timber at the side and the chain broke, dropping them to the bottom. Five were so badly injured that they died at once and two about an hour later; the eighth, though hurt, was expected to live. The dead were the brothers John Harries, 21, and William Harries, 15, of Longpark; Benjamin Lawrence, 19, and Benjamin Thomas, 11, of Jeffreston; John Phillips, 19, of Grove; George Morgan; and Isaac Thomas. Benjamin Thomas had been questioned at the colliery by the Children's Employment Commission two years earlier, aged eight.

Rescue & recovery

Unknown.

Investigation & inquiry

An inquest was held; its verdict has not been found.

Legal & regulatory aftermath

Unknown.

Changes to practice & legislation

Unknown.

Memorials & commemoration

Unknown.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• On 13 May 1844 the chain broke while miners were being brought to the surface, killing seven and injuring one. ^1,2
• Seven died when the chain broke while they were being pulled up: John and William Harries, Benjamin Lawrence, Benjamin Thomas, John Phillips, George Morgan and Isaac Thomas (Pembrokeshire Herald; coroner's bill). ³
• Near the top of the shaft the tub caught on some timber at the side of the shaft and broke the chain; five died instantly and two about an hour later. ²

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: “…1844 eight men and boys were being drawn up the shaft of Broadmoor Colliery at Begelly, Pembrokeshire, when the tub caught on timber near the…”
• Shaft (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “On 13 May 1844 eight men and boys were being drawn up the shaft of Broadmoor Colliery at Begelly, Pembrokeshire, when the tub caught…”
• Tub (direct cause)
  The men rode the shaft in the tub, which caught on timber.

Sources

1. (secondary) Thomas Chapel colliery — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Mining fatalities, 1844 — Welsh Coal Mines
3. (secondary) Extract of coroners' inquests in the coalfield of eastern Pembrokeshire — GENUKI

Record created: 19 September 2026 · Last researched: 21 September 2026