MineArchiveNational Colliery roof fall, 1886
Early on Thursday 18 February 1886 a large stone fell from the roof at the National Steam Coal Colliery, Wattstown, in the Rhondda Fach, killing the rippers Edward Jacob and Gomer Williams instantly and breaking the leg of a third man.
| Date | 18 February 1886 |
|---|---|
| Mine | National Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Edward Jacob (Jacobs in Welsh Coal Mines), 28, ripper, single, and Gomer Williams, 21, single, both of Pontygwaith.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof while the men were ripping a strong clift.
What happened
The men were at work as rippers, taking down the roof, at about one in the morning when a large stone fell on them. Jacob and Williams, both single and both of Pontygwaith, were killed instantly; the injured man lived at Wattstown.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- At about one in the morning on Thursday 18 February 1886 a large stone fell from the roof at the National Colliery, Wattstown, killing two men instantly. 1,2,3,4
- The men were rippers, cutting down the roof. 1,2,4
- A third man, of Wattstown, had his leg fractured. 3,4
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…February 1886 a large stone fell from the roof at the National Steam Coal Colliery, Wattstown, in the Rhondda Fach, killing the rippers Edward…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…1886 a large stone fell from the roof at the National Steam Coal Colliery, Wattstown, in the Rhondda Fach, killing the rippers Edward Jacob…” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…Steam Coal Colliery, Wattstown, in the Rhondda Fach, killing the rippers Edward Jacob and Gomer Williams instantly and breaking the leg of a…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of roof while the men were ripping a strong clift.”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1886 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) The Western Mail, 19 February 1886: Fatal accident at Ynyshir: two men killed — The Western Mail (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) South Wales Echo, 19 February 1886: Shocking accident in a Rhondda colliery — South Wales Echo (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
- (primary) The Cambrian, 19 February 1886: Fatal accident in a Rhondda colliery — The Cambrian (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 19 October 2026