3-077-666 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Llanerch Colliery Explosion, at Abersychan, Monmouthshire: bringing home the dead, 1890. 'One of those terrible explosions of gas in the working of coalmines, which cause such great loss of life, took place on Thursday, Feb. 6,...killing 175 persons, men and boys...The people of the neighbouring villages and hamlets gathered around the colliery, whole families mourning for those whom they had lost, and the scene was most distressing...the funerals took place in the presence of thirty thousand mourners and spectators...The Queen sent a message of compassion; and the Home Secretary and the Lord Mayor of London made inquiries concerning what should be done for the relief of the distressed families. The following statistics were furnished, on the Monday, in reply to these inquiries: Married men, 61; single men, 91; uncertain, 4; not identified, 14; still remaining in the pit, 6 - total, 170. Widows, 70; children, 240 - total, 310...The fund for the relief of the widows and families amounted to £35,000, including £1000 from the South Wales Coalowners' Association...Of this, £2500 has been applied to the burial of the dead. The widows receive five shillings per week from the Miners' Fund during widowhood, and half a crown for each child'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.