MineArchiveFerndale Collieries roof fall, 1887
Early on the morning of Friday 18 February 1887 a fall from the roof of a double parting under repair in the Six Feet seam of No. 4 pit, Ferndale, buried two night men. John Francis was dead when reached; John Mantle, freed first with a broken leg and head injuries, died six days later.
| Date | 18 February 1887 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Ferndale Collieries |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (John Francis, 20, repairer, killed in the fall, and John Mantle, 45, repairer, who died of his injuries on 24 February.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A large fall of roof on a double parting being repaired.
What happened
The two repairers were at work on the night shift when a quantity of rubbish fell on them from the roof. They were entombed for several hours. Mantle was got out first, with a broken leg and severe cuts to the head, and hopes were at first held for his recovery; Francis was quite dead when he was reached some time later.
Rescue & recovery
Men dug for several hours to reach the two; Mantle was brought out alive and Francis's body some time afterwards.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Early on Friday 18 February 1887 a fall from the roof buried two night men in the Six Feet seam of No. 4 pit, Ferndale. 1,2,3,4
- The two were entombed for several hours; John Mantle was got out first, with a broken leg and head cuts, and John Francis was dead when reached. 2,3,4
- Mantle died of his injuries on 24 February. 1
- The fall was on a double parting that was being repaired. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A large fall of roof on a double parting being repaired.”
Sources
- (secondary) 1887 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) South Wales Echo, 19 February 1887: Fatal fall of roof at Ferndale Colliery: two men buried — South Wales Echo (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) South Wales Daily News, 19 February 1887: Fatal fall of roof at Ferndale Colliery — South Wales Daily News (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) Tarian y Gweithiwr, 24 February 1887: Damwain lofaol yn Ferndale — Tarian y Gweithiwr (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 19 October 2026