1867 explosion at Ferndale No 1

[mochyn]

There was pretty comprehensive coverage in The Times too. I'll try to find what I have on that. Also there was an illustration in Le Monde (I think).

[mochyn]

Here's the illustration from Le Monde:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.anc ... rc/059.jpg

[brianblaenboy]

Taken from the "The History of Blaenllechau School - Centenary Year 1879 - 1979" is the following:-

After the explosion, A Disaster fund was set up after a meeting had been convened by the High constable at the Temperance Hall, Aberdare. This fund eventually reached £18,782 which was invested and the interest paid to the dependants. Queen Victoria sent £500 and most of the contributions came from the Aberdare Valley. Some miners of certain pits in the Aberdare and Hirwaun area contributed a day's pay, nothing seems to have come from the Rhondda Fawr area. A total of 67 widows claimed compensation and it is worth noting the scale of this:-

Widows (as long as they remain respectable and clean living) = 5/-.
(There is on record the fact that one widow had to forfeit her 5/- because she had been found in bed with a man).
Boys up to the age of 12 = 1/6d a week.
Girls up to the age of 13 = 1/6d a week.
Dependants (parents) = 5/- a week.
Orphans = 2/6d a week.
Those partially blind = 1/- extra.
On re-marriage a widow received £20.

Many of the victims came from the following streets:- Lomg Row; Pit Row; Davis Street; Blaenllechau Road; Baptist Square; Cross Street; Fountain Street; Maxwell Street; Pontypridd road; Chapel Row (maybe Baptist Row?); Double row (is this Middle Row?) and Upper Row (Mountain Row?).

Brian

[mochyn]

Fascinating Brian, thanks very much. My g-g-grandmother may have lost some of her income then because she had another child in 1870, between the death of John Powell in 1867 and her remarriage in 1880. On the 1871 census, the family was living in Mountain Row. By 1881 they were in Middle Row, possibly number 5 where the family remained until about 1969 when my great-auntie Winnie died. I have the vaguest memory of going there and meeting her.

Alan

[AlBionWriter1]

'The Ferndale Colliery Disaster' a book covering the 1867 & 1869 disasters will be published January 2013. It tells of the tragedies themselves, but also the living conditions in Ferndale and Blaenllechau at this period. It is compiled through various newspaper reports of the time, the official inquest, and the story of the funds that were raised nationally for those left behind when their chief 'breadwinner' be it husband, brother, or son were one of the many victims. Ferndale, obviously had a terrible name at the time and after the second explosion many left for America, never to return, but strangly, the owners appear to have been well respected by their workmen.

For information for purchacing a copy of this paperback please contact the author, Gareth Harris, at the below address

garethharriscoal@yahoo.co.uk

or telephone 01443 406942

[mochyn]

Good luck with your book Gareth, I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

[AlBionWriter1]

Good luck with your book Gareth, I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

Thanks Alan. Already had an order from a lady in Cambridge, I think it was, who says she was born in Ferndale and still loves the place.

Gareth

[AlBionWriter1]

This book was published on January 2nd 2013. See above e-mail address to purchase.

[mochyn]

This book was published on January 2nd 2013. See above e-mail address to purchase.

Well, I now have my book and it looks absolutely fascinating. If you haven't already, do get in touch with Gareth to get your hands on a copy.

[AlBionWriter1]

The Ferndale Colliery Explosions book is now to be re-printed as a limited edition for Xmas 2015. To place order contact Coalopolis@Gmail.com
Thank you.