Morfa Colliery

The Morfa Colliery, six years ago the scene of an explosion, been deserted in superstitious terror by the miners, and for some days past they have been gathered about the pit bank, deaf to all persuasions to resume work. Some of them heard, or think they have heard strange sounds in the workings, cries, groans and a "twittering music"; a heavy door in the roadway has been seen to open and shut of its own accord, and direst sign of all, a dove was found perched on a coal truck in the weighing house.

It is conceivable that a seismic tremor, or a settling of strata over the older workings, caused the sounds and movements thus described, and in either case there might be danger. Such sounds were heard just before the disaster of 1889. But the Welshmen will not have it so; they say that at such times the pit is haunted, and in proof of this they tell a gruesome story.

Before the last explosion an apparition, dressed in black oilskin suit descended from the shaft by the side of train of coal on the cage, and walked across the yard to a building that was to be afterwards used as a dead-house; and immediately after the explosion one of the officials of the colliery, dressed in the same manner did exactly as the apparition had done.

By the way of reassuring them, Mr. Robson, the Government inspector; Mr. Grey, the chief manager; and a small party of men went into the mine to make a strict examination; but as they found nothing changed, the scare continues.

Rhyl Record and Advertiser, 21st December 1895.