Nantymwyn Mine Explosion (1892)

A box of gelatine dynamite being lowered down the shaft slipped and partially detonated at Nantymwyn mine; both miners lowering it walked home afterwards but died from the effects within days.

Cause

A roughly 50-lb box of gelatine dynamite, being lowered down the shaft on a rope, slipped when about 12 fathoms from the bottom and fell, exploding with, in a contemporary witness's words, 'terrible violence'. Only part of the box's contents detonated; the inquest's medical evidence concluded both men died from the shock of the blast affecting the action of the heart, though investigators noted such falls did not usually cause an explosion and the precise mechanism of ignition was not established.

What happened

On the afternoon of 28 March 1892, two Cornish miners, William Beswetherick (25) and John Lewarne (33), were lowering a roughly 50-lb box of gelatine dynamite down the shaft at Nantymwyn mine when the box slipped from its rope around 12 fathoms from the bottom. It fell and exploded with what a contemporary account called 'terrible violence'; only part of its contents detonated. Both men were briefly knocked unconscious but regained their senses and, with help from a fellow miner named Morges, walked home. Dr Lewis of Llandovery attended both men; Beswetherick died around five hours after reaching home, and Lewarne died two days later, on the Wednesday afternoon, leaving a widow and two children.

Investigation & inquiry

An inquest was held, at which medical evidence concluded both men had died from the shock of the explosion affecting the action of the heart. Investigators found the precise cause of ignition unclear, noting that a box of dynamite slipping and falling did not typically result in an explosion of this kind.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• A roughly 50-lb box of gelatine dynamite being lowered down the shaft slipped from its rope about 12 fathoms from the bottom and exploded; William Beswetherick (25) and John Lewarne (33) were both briefly knocked unconscious but walked home, dying of the blast's effects within days. ¹

Related terminology

Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.

• Shaft (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A box of gelatine dynamite being lowered down the shaft slipped and partially detonated at Nantymwyn mine; both miners…”

Sources

1. (secondary) Nantymwyn lead mine - Tragedies and Obituaries — Rhandirmwyn.net
2. (secondary) Nantymwyn lead mine - Simon Hughes — Rhandirmwyn.net

Record created: 30 August 2026 · Last researched: 30 August 2026