MineArchiveCwmbach Colliery roof fall, 1878
On 18 May 1878 a journey of drams ran off the rails in No. 1 pit at Cwmbach Colliery, near Aberdare, and knocked down the timbering, bringing a heavy stone down from the roof. The rider David Davies was killed, and the collier Benjamin Bowen, who was ripping the roof of the main coal there, died of his injuries the next month.
| Date | 18 May 1878 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Cwmbach Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Primary type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Associated types | Haulage / Transport |
| Fatalities | 2 (David Davies, 32, rider, and Benjamin Bowen, 37, collier, who died of his injuries in June.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A derailed journey knocked out the supports, and a heavy stone fell from the roof.
What happened
Bowen was ripping the roof of the main coal when the journey left the rails and struck the timber. He lingered for nearly four weeks before dying of his injuries.
Investigation & inquiry
The deputy coroner Thomas Williams held the inquest on Bowen at the Colliers Arms, Cwmbach, the day after his death, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 18 May 1878 a fall in No. 1 pit at Cwmbach Colliery killed the rider David Davies and fatally injured the collier Benjamin Bowen. 1,2
- A journey of drams ran off the rails and knocked down timber, bringing a heavy stone down from the roof. 1,2,3
- Bowen died in June, and the inquest at the Colliers Arms, Cwmbach, returned a verdict of accidental death. 2,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…and the collier Benjamin Bowen, who was ripping the roof of the main coal there, died of his injuries the next month.” - Deputy (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “The deputy coroner Thomas Williams held the inquest on Bowen at the Colliers…” - Journey (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “On 18 May 1878 a journey of drams ran off the rails in No. 1 pit at Cwmbach Colliery, near…” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…David Davies was killed, and the collier Benjamin Bowen, who was ripping the roof of the main coal there, died of his injuries the next month.” - Tub (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “On 18 May 1878 a journey of drams ran off the rails in No. 1 pit at Cwmbach Colliery, near Aberdare,…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: fatalities, 1878 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) South Wales Daily News, 17 June 1878: Aberdare: inquest — South Wales Daily News (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) The Aberdare Times, 22 June 1878: Local intelligence: inquest — The Aberdare Times (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 19 October 2026