Weigfach Colliery explosion, 1854

On 31 July 1854 firedamp fired at naked lights in Weigfach Colliery, at Fforestfach near Swansea, and killed two colliers, John and William Davies, and a haulier, David Thomas. The lists of the dead record that the precautions had been neglected by the proprietor and the manager.

Cause

An explosion of firedamp ignited by naked lights, with all precautions neglected by the proprietor and the manager.

What happened

The explosion took place on 31 July 1854. Three men died: the colliers John Davies and William Davies and the haulier David Thomas.

Recorded claims

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

• On 31 July 1854 an explosion of firedamp at Weigfach Colliery, Swansea, killed two colliers, John and William Davies, and a haulier, David Thomas. ^1,2,3
• The gas was fired by naked lights. ^2,3
• Both lists record that the precautions were ignored by the proprietor and the manager. ^1,2
• Winstanley's list names the owners as Evans, Gregor and Company. 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 summary: “On 31 July 1854 firedamp fired at naked lights in Weigfach Colliery, at Fforestfach near Swansea, and killed two colliers, John and…”
• Firedamp (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 31 July 1854 firedamp fired at naked lights in Weigfach Colliery, at Fforestfach near…”
• Haulier (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Swansea, and killed two colliers, John and William Davies, and a haulier, David Thomas. The lists of the dead record that the precautions had…”
• Naked Light (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 31 July 1854 firedamp fired at naked lights in Weigfach Colliery, at Fforestfach near Swansea, and killed two…”

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh colliery fatalities, 1854 — Welsh Coal Mines website
2. (secondary) Mining deaths 1850-1859, surnames D (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
3. (secondary) Ian Winstanley, alphabetical list of mining victims 1850-1859: T — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley collection)

Record created: 23 October 2026 · Last researched: 23 October 2026