MineArchiveWestminster Colliery roof fall, 1904
Two repairers cutting bottom in a downbrow at Westminster Colliery, Gwersyllt, on 27 July 1904 weakened the props and the roof came in on them.
| Date | 27 July 1904 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Westminster Colliery |
| Region | Wrexham |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (2 killed, repairers: Thomas Davies (33) and Robert Jones (40).) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof after the prop supports were weakened by cutting bottom in a downbrow.
What happened
On 27 July 1904 two repairers at the Westminster Brymbo Coal and Coke Company's Westminster Colliery, Gwersyllt, near Wrexham, Thomas Davies, 33, and Robert Jones, 40, were cutting bottom in the downbrow. They appear to have weakened the prop supports, and the roof gave way, capping two props and fatally injuring both men. At the inquiry it was advised that the road should be barred.
Investigation & inquiry
The inspector attended the inquest; it was advised that the road should be barred.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 27 July 1904 a fall of roof killed two repairers at Westminster Colliery. 1,2,3
- The dead were Thomas Davies, 33, and Robert Jones, 40. 1,2,3
- Cutting bottom in the downbrow weakened the prop supports and the roof gave way. 1,2
- The colliery was owned by the Westminster Brymbo Coal and Coke Co. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “On 27 July 1904 two repairers at the Westminster Brymbo Coal and Coke Company's Westminster Colliery, Gwersyllt, near Wrexham,…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two repairers cutting bottom in a downbrow at Westminster Colliery, Gwersyllt, on 27 July 1904 weakened the props and the roof came in…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of roof after the prop supports were weakened by cutting bottom in a…”
Sources
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Westminster, 27 July 1904 — Durham Mining Museum
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Thomas Davies, Westminster, 1904 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Robert Jones, Westminster, 1904 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Westminster Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 18 October 2026 · Last researched: 18 October 2026