MineArchiveNaval Colliery explosion, 1884
A second explosion at the same Penygraig pit that had killed 101 men in 1880 struck on 27 January 1884, killing 12 — 11 in the blast itself and a twelfth, Daniel Thomas, who died later from suffocation sustained during the rescue attempt.
| Date | 27 January 1884 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Naval Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 12 (11 men were killed directly in the explosion; a twelfth, Daniel Thomas, died later from suffocation sustained while taking part in the rescue attempt, bringing the total to 12.) |
| Injuries | Detailed injury figures beyond the fatalities were not established. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The explosion was caused by a shot fired by a fireman igniting a body of gas.
What happened
The explosion struck the same colliery complex that had suffered the catastrophic 1880 disaster barely four years earlier, this time on a smaller but still severe scale. Eleven men were killed in the initial blast; a twelfth victim, Daniel Thomas, died later from suffocation sustained during the rescue attempt, having gone into the workings to help recover his fellow miners.
Rescue & recovery
A rescue attempt was made following the explosion, during which one of the rescuers, Daniel Thomas, was himself overcome and later died of suffocation.
Investigation & inquiry
Detailed inquiry/inquest specifics beyond the established cause were not found.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Eleven men were killed directly in the explosion; a twelfth, Daniel Thomas, died later from suffocation sustained while taking part in the rescue attempt. 1
- The explosion was caused by a shot fired by a fireman igniting a body of gas. 1
- The colliery, having suffered a catastrophic explosion in 1880, was struck by a second explosion in 1884, within its early years of operation. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “The explosion struck the same colliery complex that had suffered the catastrophic 1880 disaster barely four…” - Fireman (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “The explosion was caused by a shot fired by a fireman igniting a body of gas.”
Sources
- (secondary) Naval Colliery Explosion - Penygraig - 1884 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Naval Colliery Penygraig — welshcoalmines.co.uk
Record created: 27 August 2026 · Last researched: 27 August 2026