MineArchiveYnysfeio Colliery runaway journey, 1892
| Date | 1892 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Ynysfeio Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Haulage / Transport |
| Fatalities | 2 (Thomas Griffiths, 23, rider; Gwillym Morgan, 22, collier.) |
| Context | During active mining (A rope-hauled incline underground at the Troedyrhiw Coal Company's Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert.) |
At a quarter past three on the afternoon of 18 January 1892 the tail rope broke on a full journey of trams going down a steep incline at Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert. The journey ran wild to the bottom. Thomas Griffiths, the rider, and Gwillym Morgan, a collier riding in an empty tram in the middle of the full journey, were killed in the wreckage.
Cause
The tail rope broke on a full journey descending a steep incline, and the journey ran away.
Contributing factors
Morgan was riding in an empty tram placed in the middle of the full journey.
What happened
The accident happened in the ninth hour of the shift. With the tail rope gone, nothing held the journey on the incline, and both men were killed by the wreckage where it crashed at the bottom.
Investigation & inquiry
Joseph T. Robson recorded the accident in his 1892 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.
- At 3.15 p.m. on 18 January 1892, in the ninth hour of the shift, Thomas Griffiths, 23, rider, and Gwillym Morgan, 22, collier, were riding in an empty tram in the middle of a full journey going down a steep incline when the tail rope broke; the journey ran wild and they were killed by the wreckage at the bottom. 1
- Welsh Coal Mines, quoting a press report, says the two were riding on a journey of drams going down a gradient when the rope snapped, and were crushed to death. 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 a full journey of trams going down a steep incline at Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert. The journey ran wild to the bottom. Thomas Griffiths,…” - Incline (contextual relationship)
The journey ran away down a steep incline. - Journey (relevant method/equipment)
A full journey of trams on the incline. - Tub (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…of 18 January 1892 the tail rope broke on a full journey of trams going down a steep incline at Ynysfeio Colliery, Treherbert. The…”
Sources
- (secondary) Ynysfaio Colliery — Durham Mining Museum — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Fatalities 1892 — welshcoalmines.co.uk
Record created: 12 September 2026 · Last researched: 14 September 2026