The Morfa colliery was establish during the Victorian era in 1849 by Messrs. Vivian and Sons, located near Port Talbot in South Wales the mine quickly became known for its significant coal production and an increasingly notorious reputation for supernatural occurrences.
It was a remarkable industrial enterprise, initially sunk between 1847 and 1849 to feed the Taibach Copper Works. The mine featured two distinct shafts: the Grange Pit, a downcast ventilation shaft 400 yards deep with an elliptical shape, and the Albert Pit, an upcast ventilation shaft 200 yards deep. By 1863, Morfa had become the largest colliery in the South Wales Coalfield, producing an impressive 190,000 tons of coal annually.
Morfa Colliery gained an extraordinary reputation as the “pit of ghosts”, with workers consistently reporting inexplicable paranormal phenomena. The mine was known for its eerie atmosphere and frequent supernatural encounters that seemed to presage disaster.
The most persistent supernatural manifestation was the mysterious “red dog” – an spectral apparition that would appear suddenly in the mine’s depths, materialising out of thin air before vanishing without a trace. Miners would recount encounters with this phantom canine, describing its blood-red fur and piercing, unnatural gaze that seemed to foretell impending doom.
Workers frequently reported strange occurrences in the weeks preceding major explosions. Local miners spoke of ghostly sounds resembling phantom trams running through the mine’s dark passages. An inexplicable and intense perfume of roses, clematis, and honeysuckle would permeate the underground workings, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that sent chills through even the most hardened miners.
The colliery’s history was marked by a series of devastating explosions that seemed to validate the supernatural warnings. In 1858, four men died in a limited explosion caused by an unlocked safety lamp. The victims included Aaron Charlton, Isaac Griffiths, David Hughes, and William Williams. This initial tragedy set a precedent for the mine’s ill-fated future.
The 1863 explosion was particularly devastating, claiming 30-40 lives. Survivors and witnesses again reported increased supernatural activity in the weeks preceding the disaster, with ghostly whispers and unexplained cold spots becoming more frequent.
On 14 February 1870, an unusual accident occurred during shaft deepening when blasting powder was accidentally ignited, killing 29 men. This incident further cemented the mine’s reputation for supernatural misfortune.
The most significant tragedy struck on 10 March 1890. An explosion killed 87 miners and rescue workers, making it one of the worst mining disasters in Welsh history. Rescue workers managed to recover 43 bodies leaving the remaining 44 entombed in the mine. The circumstances surrounding the explosion were particularly unusual. Of the 450 men scheduled to work that day, 200 inexplicably stayed home – a decision that would save their lives.
Witnesses provided chilling accounts of the disaster. Many reported hearing “unearthly voices” moments before the explosion, and a strong rose-like fragrance was noted throughout the mine workings. The official inquest concluded that the explosion was caused by shot firing igniting a body of gas, but local folklore suggested more mystical explanations.
Morfa Colliery closed in October 1913, with its underground workings extending far beneath the sea. Today, the site is buried under the expansive Tata Steel Works at Margam. A memorial unveiled in 1990 by the Port Talbot Historical Society commemorates the men and boys who lost their lives between 1849 and 1913.
The mine’s supernatural legacy persisted even after its closure. The “red dog of Morfa” and reports of ghostly encounters became deeply ingrained in local folklore, transforming the colliery from a mere industrial site into a place of mystery and tragedy.
Local historians and paranormal investigators continue to research the extraordinary events of Morfa Colliery. The stories of supernatural warnings, inexplicable phenomena, and tragic loss remain a powerful testament to the dangerous and often mystical world of Victorian mining.
The story of Morfa Colliery serves as a poignant reminder of human resilience in the face of both geological and potentially spectral challenges.
