RootsChat.Com

Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: Wheelie on Monday 15 February 10 18:22 GMT (UK)

Title: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Monday 15 February 10 18:22 GMT (UK)
One of my ancestors died in this disaster and I have found lots of info about it. 

I read in a book about a monument that stood somewhere as a reminder of this day with all the names of those who died engraved on it but I can't remember where it was.

I guess it would be in Penygraig but wondered if anyone knew of this monument at all and where I could find it?

Thanks.

Claire
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: mothball on Monday 15 February 10 21:13 GMT (UK)
Have found a walking map with reference to it. No 19

You might get more result is you spell it this way ' Pen-y-Graig ', as that would be the Welsh way of spelling it, (I think)

http://www.bhg.org.uk/BrymboHeritage/Landmarks/Walks/Walks.htm

Good luck

Steven
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Tuesday 16 February 10 22:50 GMT (UK)
Thanks very much for that Steven.  I will have to take a trip up there to look around. 

Claire
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: robert186 on Sunday 29 May 11 12:13 BST (UK)
After a bit of research I discovered that my Great-great grandfather was the colliery manager at the time of the 1884 disaster, and there was a Home Office Inquiry about it which revealed that he had been unqualified for the post. I have links to a few accounts of it from the time if you'd be interested.
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Vicky on Sunday 29 May 11 18:25 BST (UK)
Do you have a name of your G G grandfather, was it Daniel THOMAS?
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Sunday 29 May 11 18:53 BST (UK)
Hi Robert,

I've already come across some great newspaper articles about the disaster but haven't heard about the Home Office enquiry before.  If you have some links you'd like to share that would be great.  Most of what I have learned came from my nan and then the genuki articles.

My ancestor was Fred Nugent, one of the ostlers, who was, according to the reports, the only one of the victims who showed signs of a violent death - we assume this to mean that the horses kicked him as they were scared.

Claire
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: robert186 on Sunday 29 May 11 20:27 BST (UK)
Hi Vicky, no his name was Moses Rowlands, and Claire here's a link to the minutes of a discussion in parliament about the disaster and my g-g-grandfather's role in it: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1881/may/17/mines-regulation-act-the-pen-ygraig. Thanks for the Genuki hint, I'm just looking through their reports now, some interesting stuff...
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Vicky on Monday 30 May 11 12:31 BST (UK)
There is a large monument in Trealaw cemetery for a Daniel Thomas erected by the public subscripton as a tribute. there is a side with a list of names recovered By him and buried in this (looks like) spot by I cant read the names off the photo. But here are some photos.

(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/vgspics/online%20pics/r100_8851.jpg)
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Vicky on Monday 30 May 11 12:33 BST (UK)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/vgspics/online%20pics/r100_8850.jpg)


He was given by the Queen Albert medal of first class also the medals of the knights.
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Monday 30 May 11 12:39 BST (UK)
Hi Vicky,

That's the monument I've been looking for!!  Thank you so much for posting this.  Now I know where it is, I will go and take a look.  I read somewhere that my ancestor, Fred Nugent, was one of the names on the stone.  Would be great to finally see it. 

Claire
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Vicky on Monday 30 May 11 12:49 BST (UK)
Hi Claire
It is to the right hand side of the chapel on the bottom road second section.
I did take pics of the names as I didn,t have a pen and paper,
but I can't make out the names.

Vicky.
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Monday 30 May 11 18:26 BST (UK)
Thanks Vicky.  Will let you know if I find his name!

Claire
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Monday 06 June 11 14:34 BST (UK)
Well, I found it!  Unfortunately my ancestor's name wasn't one of the ones on there but was probably one of the ones listed as being buried elsewhere.  Still, it was great to have seen the monument and what a cemetary it was!  I was amazed at the size of some of the graves - more like tombs than graves.  Fascinating place.

Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Vicky on Tuesday 07 June 11 08:40 BST (UK)
Hi Claire

Did you manage to write down the names on the stone?
If you did could I have them from you please.

Vicky.
Title: Re: 1884 Penygraig Colliery disaster
Post by: Wheelie on Tuesday 07 June 11 15:48 BST (UK)
Hi Vicky,

I'm so sorry, I didn't manage to write them down or take a photo.  It was raining when I went and it took me a while to find it so I was short on time.

Now I know where it is, I can go back next time I am over there, hopefully in a few weeks and I will write them down for you.  Some of them were hard to read but I remember there were 2 Roundswell or Poundswell, a Thomas Rees.  It said there were 14 others whose names were unknown and 9 who had been buried elsewhere.

I'll try to get a photo but the names were wearing off so may not show.

Claire