MineArchiveLletty Shenkin Colliery fall of coal, 1864
On 1 August 1864 a heavy fall of coal in the long-wall workings of the Lletty Shenkin Colliery, Aberdare, killed two brothers, William and Thomas Maddox, sons of the overman of their district.
| Date | 1 August 1864 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Lletty Shenkin Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (William Maddox, 23, collier, and his brother Thomas Maddox, 14 (Welsh Coal Mines); the papers spell the name Maddocks and Vaddocks.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A mass of coal on the long-wall face grew too heavy for the props supporting it and came down, crushing the timber.
What happened
The brothers were working the long-wall portion of the colliery when the coal bore down the propping timbers and covered them with debris. When they were dug out both were dead.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 1 August 1864 two brothers, William and Thomas Maddox, were killed by a fall of coal in the long-wall workings of the Lletty Shenkin Colliery, Aberdare. 1,2,3
- The coal became too heavy for the props holding it, crushed the timber and buried the two men. 2,3
- The brothers were sons of the overman of the district of the pit in which they worked. 2,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Borehole (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…were working the long-wall portion of the colliery when the coal bore down the propping timbers and covered them with debris. When they…” - Coal (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “On 1 August 1864 a heavy fall of coal in the long-wall workings of the Lletty Shenkin Colliery, Aberdare,…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…a heavy fall of coal in the long-wall workings of the Lletty Shenkin Colliery, Aberdare, killed two brothers, William and Thomas Maddox, sons of…” - Overman (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…killed two brothers, William and Thomas Maddox, sons of the overman of their district.”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1864 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) The Cardiff Times, 5 August 1864: Aberdare: two brothers killed — The Cardiff Times (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, 5 August 1864: Aberdare: two brothers killed — The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 20 October 2026