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Winter sun shining on the gravestones
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The Cwmcarn to Newport section of this canal, known as the Crumlin Arm was opened in 1796, extending originally from Crumlin to Newport, it closed in the 1940s. It was used to transport coal, limestone and iron ore to the docks at Newport for shipping up the river Severn, or further afield.
Walk along the Crumlin Arm of the canal, just below Cwmcarn and over the Greenmeadow Bridge. Just across the field you will see a small burial ground. Here lies the shattered bodies of a number of miners who died in the Blackvein Colliery disaster of 1st December 1860. An explosion of firedamp and the effects of afterdamp killed 142 men and boys working the rich seam of steam coal known as the Blackvein.
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| Observing the holes down the side, this stone appears to have been extracted from a larger piece. |
Many of the dead were taken by their families to be buried in their home towns - in England. Locals had refused to work the Blackvein. The pit had a reputation for dangerously high levels of firedamp. These men paid the lethal price for the prized steam coal.
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Look left and you will see the burial ground across the field.
As you cross the Greenmeadow Bridge from the towpath, look left and you will see the burial ground in the distance. This field is very boggy at this time of year, but follow the lane up the hill and access through the trees is much drier underfoot. I have included this image and explanation for anyone thinking of visiting, as it is very easy to miss. Straight ahead is a pathway which takes you almost vertically up the mountainside - Raven's Walk.
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| Cascade pouring into the canal close to Greenmeadow Bridge |
As you cross Greenmeadow Bridge have a look to your right as well. You will see the entrance to Green's Level, a clay level that served the three brickworks in this area. As you walk up the path from the bridge, the gully to your right is the collapsed mine workings.
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