MineArchiveGlyn Pits explosion, 1864
A firedamp explosion in the Rock Vein coal at Glyn Pits, Pontypool killed four — three men and a boy haulier — on 1 June 1864, after both ventilation doors on the heading were left open, cutting off the air to the face.
| Date | 1 June 1864 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Glyn Pits, Pontypool |
| Region | Torfaen |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 4 (William Hill (53, collier/haulier), John Stephens (16, haulier), John Thomas (69, collier) and Henry Vaux (17, haulier) all died; Durham Mining Museum gives Thomas's age as 69, Welsh Coal Mines as 70.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Both doors on the ventilation heading had been left open by the haulier, William Hill — himself among the dead — cutting the fresh air off from the face entirely; gas accumulated and was ignited.
What happened
An explosion of firedamp occurred in the Rock Vein coal on 1 June 1864. Welsh Coal Mines attributes it to a length of timber left propping open an air door by the young door-boy; Durham Mining Museum's fatality record instead attributes it to both doors on the heading having been left open by the haulier, William Hill, who was himself killed — the two accounts agree on the mechanism (an open door cutting off ventilation to the face) but differ on exactly who left which door open. Henry Vaux, 17, died instantly; John Stephens, 16, John Thomas, a collier in his late 60s, and William Hill died with him or shortly after.
Investigation & inquiry
The 1864 Mines Inspector's report, by H.M. Inspector of Mines Lionel Brough, is cited by Durham Mining Museum as its source; its findings beyond the fatality record have not been read.
Memorials & commemoration
No memorial is known.
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: a length of timber left propping open an air door by the young door-boy caused the loss of ventilation. (disputed) 1
- Durham Mining Museum: both doors on the heading were left open by the haulier William Hill, himself among the dead, cutting the fresh air off the face entirely. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Welsh Coal Mines: a length of timber left propping open an air door by the young door-boy caused the loss of ventilation. (disputed) 1
- Durham Mining Museum: both doors on the heading were left open by the haulier William Hill, himself among the dead, cutting the fresh air off the face entirely. (disputed) 2
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: “A firedamp explosion in the Rock Vein coal at Glyn Pits, Pontypool killed four — three men and a boy haulier —…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…of firedamp occurred in the Rock Vein coal on 1 June 1864. Welsh Coal Mines attributes it to a length of timber left propping open an air door…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “A firedamp explosion in the Rock Vein coal at Glyn Pits, Pontypool killed four…” - HM Chief Inspector of Mines (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “The 1864 Mines Inspector's report, by H.M. Inspector of Mines Lionel Brough, is cited by Durham Mining Museum as its source; its…” - Haulier (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…Vein coal at Glyn Pits, Pontypool killed four — three men and a boy haulier — on 1 June 1864, after both ventilation doors on the heading were…”
Sources
- (secondary) Glyn pits, Pontypool — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum - Glyn Pits (UK) — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 13 September 2026 · Last researched: 14 September 2026