Cefn Slip Colliery fall of coal, 1902

Two men were killed by a fall of coal at the face of Cefn Slip Colliery in October 1902, the coal slipping suddenly from the upper side of a long cut held by a single sprag.

Cause

A slip of coal fell suddenly from the upper side of a long cut at the face, supported by a single sprag.

What happened

In October 1902 George Smith, a 22-year-old collier, and Edward Maher were killed at Cefn Slip Colliery, then owned by the Bryndu and Port Talbot Collieries Company, in the Cribbwr seam. One account has them killed by a fall of coal while holing out; the inspector's description is of a fall of side at the face, a slip of coal falling suddenly from the upper side of a long cut in which only one sprag had been set. The sources differ on the details: one dates the accident 12 October and gives Maher as a collier of 17, the other dates it 10 October and gives him as an 18-year-old pumpman.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• The accident was on 12 October 1902; Smith, 22, and Maher, 17, were colliers killed while holing out. (disputed) ¹
• The accident was on 10 October 1902; Maher was an 18-year-old pumpman. (disputed) ²

Recorded claims

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

• In October 1902 a fall of coal killed two men, George Smith and Edward Maher, at Cefn Slip Colliery. ^1,2
• The accident was a fall of side at the face: a slip of coal fell suddenly from the upper side of a long cut in which one sprag had been set, in the Cribbwr seam. ²
• The accident was on 12 October 1902; Smith, 22, and Maher, 17, were colliers killed while holing out. (disputed) ¹
• The accident was on 10 October 1902; Maher was an 18-year-old pumpman. (disputed) ²
• The colliery was owned by the Bryndu and Port Talbot Collieries Company Limited. ²

Related terminology

Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.

• Coal (contextual relationship)
  Named 5 times in this record, first in the summary: “Two men were killed by a fall of coal at the face of Cefn Slip Colliery in October 1902, the coal slipping…”
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two men were killed by a fall of coal at the face of Cefn Slip Colliery in October 1902, the coal slipping suddenly from the upper side of a…”
• Holing (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s narrative: “…Cribbwr seam. One account has them killed by a fall of coal while holing out; the inspector's description is of a fall of side at the face, a…”

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh coal mining fatalities, 1902 — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Edward Maher, Cefn Slip, 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 16 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026