0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- "At the turn of the century...
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- "..Wales witnessed - its biggest disaster."
0:00:26 > 0:00:31- Senghenydd 1913
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Hello, I'm Hailey.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52- I'm Evan.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- I'm Evan.- - I'm Eleni.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55- I'm Evan.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- I'm Garin.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58- I'm Garin.- - I'm Ellie.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59- And I'm Caitlin.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- Senghenydd is down there.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- Senghenydd is a small village - that's famous for its coal.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- It's in a valley above Caerphilly.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- The town famous for its castle...
0:01:12 > 0:01:14- The town famous for its castle...- - ALL: ..and cheese!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- You might not have heard - of Senghenydd.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- But 100 years ago, in 1913, - the world knew about this village.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28- It was the site of the biggest - explosion in a coal mine.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- What is the story of Senghenydd?
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- Why was there a colliery - and what caused the explosion?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44- What happened after it?
0:01:44 > 0:01:45- ALL: Hmmmm.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- Two hundred years ago, - there was nothing in this valley...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- ..apart from farms, green fields - and sheep on the hills.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56- SHEEP BLEATS
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- One day, - a man who lived in the valley...
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- ..discovered coal in the area.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Following this, in 1891...
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- ..the Universal Colliery - was built in the valley.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- The new colliery brought people...
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- ..shops, streets - and a train station.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- The village of Senghenydd - practically appeared overnight!
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- This is High Street, one of - the first streets in Senghenydd.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- It leads to the centre - of the village.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- It was a busy village...
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- ..that played an important part - in the Industrial Revolution.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- Our friend at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni - can tell us about it.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- The Industrial Revolution
0:02:55 > 0:03:01- Hello, I'm Doctor Industrial and - I'll teach you about the revolution.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02- Wow!
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- To put it simply, the term, - Industrial Revolution...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- ..describes a major event - in a short space of time.
0:03:11 > 0:03:17- Many people moved from rural areas - to the industrial sites...
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- ..to earn more money.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Unfortunately, - it damaged the Welsh language.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- BOOING
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- The miners led difficult lives.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32- The got up at 4.30am - and finished work at 6.00pm...
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- ..but there was a strong comradery.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- Wales was important.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45- Half a million tons of coal was - produced in Senghenydd every year.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50- Merthyr Tydfil had one of the - biggest ironworks in the world.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- Wales was number one.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- Wales was very important...
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- ..and the South Wales collieries - were world-famous.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09- In 1913, they produced - 56 million tonnes of coal.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- One of these wagons - can hold a ton of coal...
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- ..so 56 million of these - would go around the world.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- In 1913, - there were 620 coal mines in Wales.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- One in five men in Wales - worked in a coal mine.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Men and boys - worked hard underground...
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- ..to mine this valuable coal.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- The coal was exported - all over the world...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- ..and used to produce steam.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- The Universal Colliery in Senghenydd - was just like this mine in Rhondda.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- There were two wheels - at the top of two shafts.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59- They pumped oxygen in and out of - the mine so the miners could breath.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- Hundreds of men - came and went to work every day.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- The miners had four - essential pieces of apparatus.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- They had a water flask - to hold their cold tea.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- There was a cage to hold a canary - that detected poisonous gases.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- A food tin that kept the mice out.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- A food tin that kept the mice out.- - And the safety lamp.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Why was the lamp important?
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- A miner needs light - when he's working underground.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- This lamp carries a flame - but this is a very special lamp.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- It stops any explosions - from happening underground.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- The Davy Lamp was designed in 1815 - by Sir Humphry Davy.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- Every miner was given a lamp when - he went down the pit each morning.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- It helped them to see in the dark - without causing a fire...
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- ..because the flame was in the lamp.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- It could also detect any methane - that was in the mine.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- Methane is a very dangerous - and highly explosive gas.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- If there wasn't any methane - in the pit...
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- ..there was a small, yellow flame.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- A large, blue flame would burn - when there was methane in a pit.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- This indicated whether it was safe - for the miners to work underground.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- The Davy Lamp - is still used in mines today...
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- ..for safety reasons.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- The miners had another little friend - who detected methane - the canary.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- A canary will faint - in the presence of methane gas.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- This gave the miners time to leave - the pit and get some fresh air.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- They didn't have helmets in 1913 - but we have to wear them today.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Here you are, boys.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23- The miners at Senghenydd went down - 595 metres into the earth every day.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- It's the equivalent of ten large - chimneys pointing into the ground.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- Or 195 elephants - standing on top of each other.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46- In 1913...
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- ..boys of our age worked - alongside the men in the mine.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- Mines were dangerous places filled - with water and poisonous gases.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Coal produces methane gas.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- If a spark and methane gas meet...
0:08:03 > 0:08:04- If a spark and methane gas meet...- - ALL: Bang!
0:08:07 > 0:08:13- It was important to have doors - underground to control air flow.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- The children opened and closed the - doors to let the coal carts through.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- The children were alone - with only a candle for light.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- What happened - when the lights went out?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- BOYS SCREAM
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- I can't believe that boys of our age - worked in the mines.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- There were thousands of horses - in the mines too.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- In 1913, there were 70,000 horses - working in the coal mines in Wales.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Let's go and see the horses.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- This farm outside Pontypridd...
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- ..is a home for some horses - who worked in the Welsh coal mines.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- They are able to relax - in the fresh air.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- What is a pit pony? - Did they really work underground?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- The pit ponies worked in the mines.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- They worked underground - with the men.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33- They were called pit ponies but - weren't necessarily small horses.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- In Wales, - the horses tended to be bigger.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Did they get the same respect - as the miners?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- That's a good question.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- Many thought the pit owners valued - their ponies more than the men.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- The ponies were worth about 20...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..so the horses had better treatment - than the men.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Did they have stables underground?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- Did they have stables underground?- - Yes, there were stables underground.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- There were as many as 50 horses - in those stables.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Some of the men - worked solely with the horses.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14- How far did they walk?
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- It depended on their work - and where they were stationed.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- They worked hard - for full shifts with the men.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- My grandfather worked underground.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- He said that the best ponies - often worked a double shift...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- ..instead of using the lazy horses.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- It was a very hard life.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37- Was it cruel?
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- That isn't an easy question - to answer.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47- They were well cared for by a - large team of men and fed regularly.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- The men who worked with the horses - looked after them very well.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- A life underground can't be compared - with a life in the outdoors...
0:10:58 > 0:11:03- ..where they can run, graze - and live a typical horse's life.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Did the horse have holidays?
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- They had a fortnight's holiday - every year.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- They went underground aged four - and spent their lives down there...
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- ..apart from two weeks - when the pits were closed.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- What did they do on their holidays?
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- There are wonderful stories - about the horses.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- They galloped happily - around the fields.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- They ran for as long as they could - before slowing down to walk...
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- ..and then stopping to graze - in the fresh air.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- When did they stop using horses - in the coal mines?
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- The last pit pony retired - from working underground in 1999.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Some of the horses - who were working in 1999...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- ..can be found - on this farm in Pontypridd.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- We've learnt about the period - and the workings of a mine.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- What about the women?
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- And what happened - on 14th October 1913?
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- The first miners in Senghenydd - had houses just like these.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- But these are in Blaenavon.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- They are just like the houses - in Senghenydd.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- We've come to learn about - their way of life.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- The coal owners built - specific houses for their workers.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- In 1891, the owner - of the Universal Colliery...
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- ..built a row of houses - in Senghenydd for his workers.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00- They were simple houses - and it was a difficult life.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- By 1913, there were so many people - working in the mine...
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- ..that more houses - were built in the village.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Every bedroom was full...
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- ..with the men and boys - who worked in the mine.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Did everyone have a house like this - in 1913?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- The workers had houses like these...
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- ..but the mine owners - lived in very grand homes.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- However, they built specific houses - for the miners.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- They had two rooms downstairs...
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- ..and two rooms upstairs, - so they were quite small.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- What did people wear?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Boys and girls - dressed very differently.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- The boys wore a shirt and trousers.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- The girls didn't have the things - we wear today.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- They wore a lot of layers.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- There was a cotton undergarment...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..a woollen layer - and they sometimes wore aprons.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- Did they have their own bedrooms?
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- Children and young people - had to share a bedroom.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- In some homes, eight to ten people - slept on the floor of the one room.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Was there a kitchen?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Was there a kitchen?- - There wasn't a kitchen as such.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28- They only had a fireplace - in the small downstairs room.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- This was where they boiled water, - cooked food and kept warm.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- They didn't have electricity - or running water...
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- ..so there wasn't a microwave - or an oven.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- They simply had a fireplace.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- What did they eat?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- It all depended - on how much the man earned.
0:14:51 > 0:14:57- They ate simple food - such as bread, cheese and butter.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- They also drank tea because the - water was dirty and tasted awful...
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- ..so they added tea to the water.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13- The men took their food parcels - underground and drank cold tea.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- Where did they wash?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- They didn't have a bathroom.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- They had a tin bath - that was filled with hot water.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- All the men - shared the water to wash...
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- ..so it wasn't very clean.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- There wasn't an indoor toilet - so they kept a pot under the bed...
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- ..and shared the pot - during the night.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Despite this, - the houses were very clean.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- The wife or mother was expected - to keep a very clean home.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- Did they get sick - after drinking the dirty water?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Yes.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01- We're have tap water but they had - to fetch water from the river.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- The water wasn't very clean.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11- It was used for drinking, washing - themselves and their clothes...
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- ..and to get rid of the waste - from their toilets.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- The water wasn't very clean...
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- ..and it carried a lot - of different diseases.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Would you want to live here in 1913?
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Would you want to live here in 1913?- - ALL: No!
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- Senghenydd - was a very different place in 1913.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- On 14th October, it changed forever.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50- At 8.10am, I have my breakfast - before walking to school.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- But at 8.10am - on 14th October 1913...
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- ..450 men had started work - in the mine.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- This is what happened.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- The men and boys went to work - just like any other day.
0:17:13 > 0:17:19- The combination of the methane gas - and coal dust in the mine...
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- ..caused a massive explosion...
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- ..that led to a huge fire - and the shafts to collapse.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- The fire stole the oxygen - from the pit.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- The men were trapped - and couldn't breathe...
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- ..so they didn't stand a chance.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Their wives and children ran to - the pit to see what had happened.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- They had to wait to find out - who had died.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- Rescue teams from across the Valleys - came to help...
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- ..but it was a very sad situation.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- Only 18 men and boys - came out alive.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- 439 men and boys were killed.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- Every horse in the mine was killed.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- 542 children - were left without a father.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- Every house in Senghenydd - lost a loved one.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- The explosion and fire - were terrible.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- What was the chemical reaction - that caused them?
0:18:33 > 0:18:39- Pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni - have done a project on the disaster.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- They have been recreating - the explosion.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- The name of the gases that caused - the explosion is firedamp.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- It's from the German word, dampf.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Methane is the main gas in firedamp.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00- The methane flows from the orange - tube and gathers in the bubbles.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Methane burns fiercely - in air that's rich in oxygen.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- It meant that all the oxygen - was used in the mine.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- It produces a poisonous gas - or afterdamp...
0:19:12 > 0:19:17- ..that's made of carbon monoxide - and carbon dioxide.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- Many miners escaped - from the initial explosion...
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- ..but a number of men died - because of the poisonous gases.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- This is what killed the majority - of the 439 miners at Senghenydd.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- It's fun to create an explosion - in a laboratory.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42- The effects of the 1913 explosion - were no laughing matter.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- The whole world heard of Senghenydd.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- This film of the funeral - for some of the victims...
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- ..says it all.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- People came from everywhere - to pay their respects.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- The procession of bodies - went down the high street.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- There were people everywhere.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- The village - would never be the same again.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Many families - were thrown out of their homes...
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- ..because they couldn't pay - the rent.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18- There was a court case.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- The owner of the pit was found - guilty of causing the explosion.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- The workers had told the owner - that the pit was unsafe...
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- ..but he wouldn't listen.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- The community was stunned to hear...
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- ..that the owner - was only given a fine of 24.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- What happened to the - Universal Colliery and Senghenydd?
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- The First World War - broke out in 1914...
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- ..and everyone forgot the tragedy.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- The mine reopened in 1916...
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- ..to produce coal for the war.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- The mine stayed open until 1928.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- In 1965, - the colliery was demolished.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- Today, the village - enjoys a new lease of life.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- At Ysgol Gynradd Nant y Parc, - the site of the Universal's shaft...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- ..there's a memorial - for the men who died.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33- Ysgol Ifor Bach is also built - on the site of an old coal mine.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- The schools - bring new life to the area.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Nothing remains of the mines.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- A museum in the village - tells this story.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48- This year, a garden will be opened - to remember those who died.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- This story is important and - forms part of our family history.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- We plan to - keep telling this story...
0:21:56 > 0:22:01- ..so that everyone knows about - the Senghenydd Disaster of 1913.