Post by gerald on Mar 6, 2017 9:56:11 GMT
On the 1st of March 1977, I was due to get married. But the night before I was working on the night shift at the Ffaldau Colliery,Pontycymmer. I was working in the gate stable of the M1 district with Bernard Anderson and Steve Casey. Earlier I had a word with Ivor (Wompit) Parry, the District Overman, about me finishing early because of the wedding? He agreed, only if the team went down early and took in the gunpowder carriers with us.
So, the boys and I went down and got into the M1 Gate stable, and started to bore coal, ready for the shot-firer. I can't remember now who the Deputy was, but we all pitched in to help get the powder rammed and packed with Stemming gel sticks, the Deputy followed behind us connecting up the shot wires. All done, and we were ready to Fire. lights out, test for gas. All Clear.
I was sent as a sentry further up the face,and once at a safe distance signalled back to the Deputy with my lamp. I sat cwtched between two chocks waiting for the explosion, and the following smoke and dust. When it did come the smoke smelt different? When it eventually cleared i went back to the Gate Stable.
Imagine my horror when I got there to see that the coal was on fire!
My immediate action was to grab the infuser rod, more commonly known as the Bulls Prick, to try and extinguish the flames, but the fine spray only to create more airborne dust seemingly intensifying the flames. By now the rest of the team were arriving and I shouted" Boy's! we've got a fire here, fetch the extinguishers!"
The fire was soon brought under control and put out, but not before the word got around via the D.A.C. intercom system and self- rescuers were donned and everyone else(except us)left the District via the Main Intake and then up the pit.
Now, we had the job of clearing the dropped coal and salvaging the remains of the unexploded gun-powder so that it could be analysed. We were the last up the pit, and when we did finally get to the surface, I had never seen so many cars parked at the Canteen and Lap-Room area's, there wasn't even room to park a bicycle.
So much for my 'early note.' Never mind, that was mining for you. Oh, yes I did get married that morning after all 40 years ago.
Original story by David Rees. Abridged by Gerald Jarvis for G.V.H.S.
So, the boys and I went down and got into the M1 Gate stable, and started to bore coal, ready for the shot-firer. I can't remember now who the Deputy was, but we all pitched in to help get the powder rammed and packed with Stemming gel sticks, the Deputy followed behind us connecting up the shot wires. All done, and we were ready to Fire. lights out, test for gas. All Clear.
I was sent as a sentry further up the face,and once at a safe distance signalled back to the Deputy with my lamp. I sat cwtched between two chocks waiting for the explosion, and the following smoke and dust. When it did come the smoke smelt different? When it eventually cleared i went back to the Gate Stable.
Imagine my horror when I got there to see that the coal was on fire!
My immediate action was to grab the infuser rod, more commonly known as the Bulls Prick, to try and extinguish the flames, but the fine spray only to create more airborne dust seemingly intensifying the flames. By now the rest of the team were arriving and I shouted" Boy's! we've got a fire here, fetch the extinguishers!"
The fire was soon brought under control and put out, but not before the word got around via the D.A.C. intercom system and self- rescuers were donned and everyone else(except us)left the District via the Main Intake and then up the pit.
Now, we had the job of clearing the dropped coal and salvaging the remains of the unexploded gun-powder so that it could be analysed. We were the last up the pit, and when we did finally get to the surface, I had never seen so many cars parked at the Canteen and Lap-Room area's, there wasn't even room to park a bicycle.
So much for my 'early note.' Never mind, that was mining for you. Oh, yes I did get married that morning after all 40 years ago.
Original story by David Rees. Abridged by Gerald Jarvis for G.V.H.S.