Mardy Colliery

1885 'The Mardy Colliery is Situated in the Rhondda Vach Valley, .about two miles from the Ferndale Station, on a branch of the Taff Vale Railway. There are two pits which were sunk about seven years ago, and thus the colliery is comparatively a new one, whilst it is reputed to be structurally one of the best and safest in the district. The downcast shaft is 300 yards in depth, whilst the depth of the upcast is between 370 and 380 yards. The coal worked contains a great deal of gas - it is a first-class steam coal - the vein being similar to that at Ferndale Colliery, where, it may be remembered, two very serious explosions took place some time ago. The first of these was in November, 1867, when the whole of the workings were fired, and the recovery of bodies was made very difficult by reason of the coal which blocked up the passages. On this occasion over 100 lives were sacrificed, whilst the second explosion was in June, 1869, when 60 workmen men met with their death at the Ferndale Colliery, the coal of which is of the same seam as that worked at Mardy, the two pits being only about two miles apart. The ventilation of the Mardy pit is effected by means of a fan - one of the largest in the district - which sends a splendid current of air through the workings. This explosion is the first that has occurred at the colliery since coal was first struck at the end of 1877, whilst the work attendant upon coal winning has been singularly free from accident.'

See Also

Loading...