1867 explosion at Ferndale No 1

[mochyn]

I'd like to hear from anyone with an interest in the 1867 explosion at Ferndale No 1 pit. My g-g-grandfather, John Powell (44) died in the explosion. I have images of most of the material that appeared in The Times, and of the coverage from the Illustrated London News. Happy to share it with anyone who wants to see it.

[bouncer]

I also would like any info into the cage accident when the cable snapped and the cage fell when my g-father and Stanley Bakers father were in the same cage. My g-father broke both his ankles and Stans father lost his leg

[darran]

Hi Alan

Today I obtained from the library the second volume of the book referred to by GLYNYEEND on the Brown St topic - 'Passages of Life Ferndale and District'. There is quite a long account of the Nov 8th, 1867 disaster which was a Friday. Your John Powell is there amongst the list of casualties with cause of death being 'burnt' and his body not being recovered until the following Tuesday. You can imagine the state of your g-g-grandmother and her children over that few days. In the reference section at the back there are 2 which might interest you -

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS 1867-1868, VOL XX1, The Ferndale Colliery explosion 1867, 1869. In the National Library of Wales.

Manuscripts, Relief fund and minute book, Ferndale explosion 1867. In Aberdare Public Library.

The book is interesting with my g-grandfather, grandfather and father mentioned. I wish my parent's had seen this they would have had a ball with all the names mentioned of people they knew. I have recently tried to find out if Morris Morris had built the schools on Darran Terrace and the book says that he did!
I await the arrival at the library of the first volume!

Sheila

[mochyn]

Just trying to order my copies now. They sound fascinating.

Alan

[mochyn]

Hi Alan

Today I obtained from the library the second volume of the book referred to by GLYNYEEND on the Brown St topic - 'Passages of Life Ferndale and District'. There is quite a long account of the Nov 8th, 1867 disaster which was a Friday. Your John Powell is there amongst the list of casualties with cause of death being 'burnt' and his body not being recovered until the following Tuesday. You can imagine the state of your g-g-grandmother and her children over that few days. In the reference section at the back there are 2 which might interest you -

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS 1867-1868, VOL XX1, The Ferndale Colliery explosion 1867, 1869. In the National Library of Wales.

Manuscripts, Relief fund and minute book, Ferndale explosion 1867. In Aberdare Public Library.

The book is interesting with my g-grandfather, grandfather and father mentioned. I wish my parent's had seen this they would have had a ball with all the names mentioned of people they knew. I have recently tried to find out if Morris Morris had built the schools on Darran Terrace and the book says that he did!
I await the arrival at the library of the first volume!

Sheila

Sheila

I've received my copies of Alun's books and they certainly tell me more that I previously knew on the subject of the explosion. I'd certainly recommend them to anyone with and interest in Ferndale and its history. See separate post with details of the books:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19

Alan

[Gwaith]

Hello there, I also had family killed in the explosian at Ferndale 8th November, 1867. In my case, they were John Driver, aged 37 according to the records, and his eldest son, James Driver, aged 13 according to the records. However, according to my investigation into my family history over the last 30 years, I have the ages as 42, and 9 years, at least no older than 10 years for the boy.

Family lore said that my great great grandfather was the tallest man in the pit, and his son was the youngest boy in the pit.

Like so many other widows over the years, my great great grandmother married again. This time, to Thomas Edwards from Blaenllechau. They once lived in Baptist Square. There were two girls born of the second union. Will be willing to discuss this topic further if needed.

[JohnPitt]

I'd like to hear from anyone with an interest in the 1867 explosion at Ferndale No 1 pit. My g-g-grandfather, John Powell (44) died in the explosion.

I notice from the Death roll that there were two boys: Thomas age 13 and another Thomas age 14 with the surname Powell. I take it these were from differing families ?

[mochyn]

Well ... not entirely sure. John Powell certainly had a son, called Thomas, of about that age and I admit I've found no record of him after the explosion, though I've not looked hard. The only reason I think our Thomas might not have died in the explosion is that there is a Bible in the family, ultimately from Queen Victoria, presented to the families of those who died in the explosion. This Bible mentions only John Powell. To continue arguing with myself though, I suppose there could have been another Bible for Thomas, but it's just that I've not seen it? Who knows. I have the death certificate for John Powell but it doesn't mention any family relationship, so even the death certificates for these Thomas Powells might not prove anything. I guess the registrars were saving time given that they were registering 150+ deaths in one go.

Food for though though, I'll put some effort into it.

[mochyn]

Here are some cuttings from the Illustrated London News in the couple of weeks after the disaster:

Initial report on 16 November 1867:
http://images.sgrech.net/bucket/ILN_1867-11-16_p527.jpg

Part 1 of the piece in the 23 November edition:
http://images.sgrech.net/bucket/ILN_1867-11-23_p560.jpg

Part 2 of the piece in the 23 November edition:
http://images.sgrech.net/bucket/ILN_1867-11-23_p562.jpg

Illustration in the 23 November edition:
http://images.sgrech.net/bucket/ILN_1867-11-23_p565.jpg

Grim reading.

Alan

[JohnPitt]

Grim indeed!

Such a relatively small write up for a prestigeous publication reporting a major disaster one wonders what the impact was on the average Londoner.
The woodcut certainly tells its tale. Thanks for that Mochyn