The Harris Navigation/Ocean Colliery/ Deep Navigation Colliery will be why Rees Pugh came to Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil for the 3 years 1891, 1892 1nd 1893. The sinking of this colliery began in October, 1873, and it was first known as Harris Navigation, after the Harris Navigation Steam Coal Company's main shareholder, F.W. Harris, who also gave his name to the village "Treharris". Rees Pugh and his family lived at 19 Penns St, Treharris
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The pit became the deepest mine in the coalfield at 2,280 feet, with 10 miles of underground railways. The two shafts North (opened 1879) and South (opened 1881) were 649 yards and 760 yards. Producing a high quality Steam Coal, Deep Navigation was well equipped using the latest mining machinery.
In 1893 it was bought by the Ocean Coal Co. Ltd. who changed its name to Deep Navigation Colliery. The Colliery produced high quality steam coal which was greatly in demand notably by Cunard Steamlines.
The Inspector of mines list of 1896 shows was then owned by Ocean Coal Co. Ltd and it was called Deep Navigation, employing 1,846 men and boys. By 1908 there were 1,767 men employed, 1,600 in 1918 and by 1923, there were 2,328 men employed, working the Seven Feet, Yard and Nine Feet seams. At its peak over 100 horses were employed.
By 1945 there numbers of men employed had dropped to 1,826. During the 1980's its average output reached 375,000 tons per year. The Colliery was eventually closed in 1991.
Taff Merthyr Colliery, Treharris was only sunk in 1924 so does not effect the Pugh story.
Return to Rees Pugh 1861