MineArchiveYnysfeio Colliery gas explosion, 1875
| Date | 22 August 1875 (deaths recorded 7 September) |
|---|---|
| Mine | Ynysfeio Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (John David Thomas (J. Thomas), 45; David Lodwig (D. Lodwick), 37. Welsh Coal Mines calls them colliers, the Inspector's list labourers.) |
| Context | During active mining (The Troedyrhiw Coal Company's Ynysfeio Colliery at Treherbert, at the head of the Rhondda Fawr.) |
An explosion of gas at Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert, fatally injured two men in 1875. Welsh Coal Mines dates the explosion to 22 August and records that John David Thomas, 45, and David Lodwig, 37, died on 7 September; the Inspector's report, as listed by the Durham Mining Museum, records the deaths of the labourers D. Lodwick and J. Thomas on that day. Neither source says where in the mine it happened or what fired the gas.
Cause
An explosion of gas. What ignited it is not recorded in either source.
Investigation & inquiry
The deaths were listed in Thomas E. Wales's 1875 report as H.M. Inspector for the South Wales District.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Two men, D. (David) Lodwick or Lodwig and J. (John David) Thomas, died of an explosion of gas at Ynysfeio Colliery, both recorded under 7 September 1875. 1,2
- Welsh Coal Mines says John David Thomas died on 7 September of injuries received in the explosion on 22 August; the Durham Mining Museum, from the Inspector's report, gives only the date of death, 7 September. 1,2
- The Durham Mining Museum lists both men as labourers with no ages; Welsh Coal Mines lists them as colliers, Thomas aged 45 and Lodwig 37. (disputed) 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “An explosion of gas at Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert, fatally injured two men in 1875. Welsh Coal Mines dates…” - Firedamp (direct cause)
An explosion of gas.
Sources
- (secondary) Ynysfaio Colliery — Durham Mining Museum — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1875 — Welsh Coal Mines
Record created: 12 September 2026 · Last researched: 14 September 2026