MineArchiveYsguborwen Colliery drift accident, 1884
On 1 February 1884 a collier, Mark Griffiths, 40, and his helper, Patrick Carey, 15 or 16, were killed together while at work in the drift at Ysguborwen Colliery, Trecynon, near Aberdare. At the inquest the next day the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
| Date | 1 February 1884 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Ysguborwen Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Other |
| Fatalities | 2 (2: Mark Griffiths (40), collier, and Patrick Carey (15 in the Welsh Coal Mines list, 16 in the inquest report), collier's helper.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Investigation & inquiry
Mr T. Williams held an inquest on the Saturday following; the jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death'.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 1 February 1884 Mark Griffiths and Patrick Carey were killed while at work in the drift at Ysguborwen Colliery, Trecynon. 1,2
- At the inquest held by Mr T. Williams the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. 1,2
- Griffiths was a collier of 40 and Carey his helper, aged 15 or 16. 1,2
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: “…or 16, were killed together while at work in the drift at Ysguborwen Colliery, Trecynon, near Aberdare. At the inquest the next day the jury…” - Drift (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…Patrick Carey, 15 or 16, were killed together while at work in the drift at Ysguborwen Colliery, Trecynon, near Aberdare. At the inquest the…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines fatalities, 1884 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Welsh Newspapers: South Wales Daily News, 4 February 1884, 'Aberdare: fatal colliery accident' — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
Record created: 11 October 2026 · Last researched: 16 October 2026