MineArchiveCwmtillery Colliery explosion, 1873
In the early hours of 5 April 1873 firedamp exploded in reopened old workings at Cwmtillery Colliery, where eight night men were working on the roads. None survived. The inspector found that brattice sheets had been left down while the men slept, and that they then walked into the gas with naked lights.
| Date | 1873 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Cwmtillery Colliery |
| Region | Blaenau Gwent |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 6 (Six by Welsh Coal Mines; the NMRS account says five were found dead and three died shortly after, and names seven.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
An explosion of firedamp that had accumulated because ventilation sheets were left down, ignited at naked lights.
Contributing factors
Men working with naked lights in reopened workings; the practice, tolerated by the management, of the whole party sleeping in a stall during the shift.
What happened
The South Wales Company's colliery had improved its ventilation with a third shaft three years earlier. Old workings in the west district had recently been reopened, and eight men were working on the roads there. The night fireman found no gas at 10 p.m. When the day fireman went round at 3.45 a.m. he met firedamp at once and found the roof and walls damaged, doors blown down, a horse killed, and the men dead or dying. The dead included Thomas Owen, 26, George Evans, 17, James Matthews, 39, William Moore, 25, and Henry Phillips, 24.
Rescue & recovery
The day fireman fetched the manager, Mr Wallace; three men found alive died shortly afterwards.
Investigation & inquiry
The inquest at Abertillery lasted six days. The inspector Lionel Brough concluded that the men, after their meal and sleep, walked with unprotected lights into the explosive mixture, having forgotten the sheets left down, and rejected a sudden outburst.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
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 explosion claimed six men; five were found dead and three just alive who died shortly; seven are named, including William and John Corbett. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Explosion of 5 April 1873: Thomas Owen 26, George Evans 17, James Matthews 39, James Conners 42, William Moore 25, Henry Phillips 24. 1
- The explosion claimed six men; five were found dead and three just alive who died shortly; seven are named, including William and John Corbett. (disputed) 2
- Inspector Brough blamed brattice sheets left down and men walking with naked lights into the gas after sleeping during the shift. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Brattice (contributing factor)
Sheets left down cut off the air. - Fireman (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the narrative: “…reopened, and eight men were working on the roads there. The night fireman found no gas at 10 p.m. When the day fireman went round at 3.45 a.m.…” - Naked Light (direct cause)
The men worked with naked lights. - Outburst (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “…having forgotten the sheets left down, and rejected a sudden outburst.” - Stall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s contributing factors: “…tolerated by the management, of the whole party sleeping in a stall during the shift.”
Sources
- (secondary) Cwmtillery Colliery disasters: death rolls — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Cwmtillery Colliery Explosion - Abertillery - 1873 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 21 September 2026 · Last researched: 21 September 2026