MineArchiveFochriw Colliery cage accident, 1866
On 24 May 1866 two men loading a tram of coal on to the cage at the bottom of the Dowlais Iron Company's No. 1 pit at Fochriw were carried up the shaft when the engine started without warning to them, and fell some 65 yards to their deaths: Thomas Jones, a master haulier, and Ellis Lewis, a hitcher.
| Date | 24 May 1866 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Fochriw Colliery |
| Region | Caerphilly |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 2 (Thomas Jones, 42, master haulier, of Cae Harris, Dowlais; Ellis Lewis, 28, hitcher.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The winding engine started while the men were still on the cage at the pit bottom; whether a signal to wind was given was disputed.
What happened
Thomas Jones and Ellis Lewis were working with three other men at the bottom of the shaft, placing a tram of coal on the carriage. Before they could get off it, the engine started and the carriage rose, taking the two men part way up the shaft. When it had been drawn up about 65 yards they fell from their perilous position to the bottom and were killed instantly.
Investigation & inquiry
The men at the top of the pit said they had distinctly heard two signals to wind up; the men at the bottom contradicted them, saying emphatically that no signal had been given.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- Welsh Coal Mines dates the accident to 26 May 1866. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On Thursday 24 May 1866 Thomas Jones, 42, a master haulier, and Ellis Lewis, 28, a hitcher, were killed at the Dowlais Company's No. 1 pit at Fochriw. 1
- Welsh Coal Mines dates the accident to 26 May 1866. (disputed) 2
- They were placing a tram of coal on the cage at the pit bottom when the engine started, carrying them part way up the shaft; they fell out and were killed. 2,1
- The carriage had been drawn up 65 yards when the men fell; the men at the top said they had heard two signals to wind, which the men at the bottom denied. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Cage (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 24 May 1866 two men loading a tram of coal on to the cage at the bottom of the Dowlais Iron Company's No. 1 pit at Fochriw…” - Haulier (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…them, and fell some 65 yards to their deaths: Thomas Jones, a master haulier, and Ellis Lewis, a hitcher.” - Onsetter (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…to their deaths: Thomas Jones, a master haulier, and Ellis Lewis, a hitcher.” - Tub (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 24 May 1866 two men loading a tram of coal on to the cage at the bottom of the Dowlais Iron Company's…” - Winding Engine (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “The winding engine started while the men were still on the cage at the pit bottom;…”
Sources
- (primary) Dowlais: shocking and fatal accident at Vochriw, Brecon County Times, 2 June 1866 — Welsh Newspapers Online (National Library of Wales)
- (secondary) Glamorgan colliery fatalities, 1866 — Welsh Coal Mines website
Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 22 October 2026