MineArchiveDeep Pit, Nantyglo explosion, 1847
On Monday 6 December 1847 firedamp exploded in one of the Bailey brothers' coal pits at Nantyglo, attributed to their Deep Pit, killing eight men, among them John Parkes and his two sons, and badly injuring three. The inquest heard that a ventilation door had been ordered but not fitted. The colliers struck afterwards.
| Date | 6 December 1847 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Deep Pit, Nantyglo |
| Region | Blaenau Gwent |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 8 (Eight killed and three severely injured. Named: John Parkes (46) and his sons David (18) and John (16). The burial register, as transcribed with an 1837 date, also lists Thomas Jones (20), Morgan Lewis (31), Griffith Davies (23), Margaret Davies (18) and Jane Legg (13).) |
| Injuries | Three men severely injured. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Firedamp, accumulated where ventilation was inadequate, was ignited by a candle carried into the workings.
Contributing factors
A single, insufficient ventilation door; the proper door that had been ordered was not yet fitted.
What happened
A large number of men were at work when the firedamp exploded. Most of the eight who died were killed by the afterdamp. John Parkes, a native of Merthyr, died with his two sons.
The inquest heard that Parkes's party had been careless in taking a candle into the workings. It also heard that they would not have done so had the manager, Mr Whiteman of Newcastle upon Tyne, paid better attention. One ventilation door was insufficient, and a proper door that might have turned the air and prevented the explosion had been applied for and ordered but not yet hung. At least one of the men knew of the danger, and the men must have known that Monday was the worst day. Some locally felt the manager should have been 'one of their own' rather than a north-countryman.
Investigation & inquiry
A coroner's inquest heard evidence on the door and on the candle; the Monmouthshire Merlin concluded that with greater precaution the lives might have been saved, without necessarily blaming the manager.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
The colliers turned out (struck) after the explosion; the Merlin urged them to return to work.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- An explosion at Bailey's mine about 7 December 1837 claimed seven lives, with eight burials at St Peter's including John Parkes and his sons. (disputed) 3,4
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- An explosion of firedamp in one of Messrs Bailey's pits at Nantyglo on Monday 6 December 1847 killed eight men and severely injured three; John Parkes and his two sons were among the dead. 1,2
- An explosion at Bailey's mine about 7 December 1837 claimed seven lives, with eight burials at St Peter's including John Parkes and his sons. (disputed) 3,4
- The inquest heard that Parkes's party carried a candle into the workings and that a proper ventilation door had been ordered but not fitted. 1,5
- The colliers struck after the explosion. 5
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Afterdamp (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…the firedamp exploded. Most of the eight who died were killed by the afterdamp. John Parkes, a native of Merthyr, died with his two sons. The…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…6 December 1847 firedamp exploded in one of the Bailey brothers' coal pits at Nantyglo, attributed to their Deep Pit, killing eight men, among…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “On Monday 6 December 1847 firedamp exploded in one of the Bailey brothers' coal pits at Nantyglo,…”
Photographs & further reading
This page doesn't try to reproduce everything — these are the best original sources found for this disaster.
The pit's history with both the 1837-dated burial list and the 1847 explosion.
View sourceThe inquest findings on the candle and the manager, from Galloway's Annals and the Mining Journal.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Nantyglo Colliery Explosion - Nantyglo - 1847 - Northern Mine Research Society — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Nantyglo: explosion of fire damp (Monmouthshire Merlin, 11 December 1847) — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
- (secondary) Deep Pit Nantyglo - Welsh Coal Mines — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Nantyglo Colliery Explosion - Blaina - 1837 - Northern Mine Research Society — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) The late fatal explosion at Nantyglo (Monmouthshire Merlin, 25 December 1847) — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
Record created: 2 October 2026 · Last researched: 2 October 2026