Morfa Colliery, Port Talbot, was operational between 1849 and 1913 and, at its peak, was one of the largest collieries in South Wales with around 800 miners working six to seven hundred tons of coal a day.  These years were punctuated by cruel multiple losses of life in the explosions of 1858, 1863, 1870 and 1890, as well as individual deaths on a day to day basis.

Whilst it is true that no single disaster occurred to compare to the heart and soul-breaking tragedy at Senghenydd in 1913 that killed 439 miners and one rescuer, Morfa’s record is still a shocking one. The repeated misery, grief and hardship, experienced by the local communities around Port Talbot over the decades, is probably unparalleled in the history of any mining community.

This is the story of the mine and the people who lived, worked and died there. A story of hardship and grief. A testament to the indomitable spirit of all mining communities.

NOTE: Since publication the authors have identified a further potential 32 deaths at the colliery. These are listed in a FREE Addendum enclosed with the book.