1. In 1872, work started on sinking the shafts of Harris's Navigation Colliery, eventually reaching depths of 593m (north shaft) and 695m (south shaft) by 1879, at the time the deepest in the south Wales coalfield. Production began shortly afterwards. By 1896 the mine was owned by the Ocean Coal Company and was known as Deep Navigation. The first pithead baths in Wales were opened, by Miss Davies of Llandinam, at Ocean Deep Navigation on 15 June 1916. The mine closed in 1991, since when the buildings have been demolished and the site cleared and landscaped.
B.A.Malaws, RCAHMW, 14 October 2008.
2. To see an image of the baths in operation, please refer to: “Pithead & Factory Baths” by E.L. Chappel & J. A. Lovett-Fraser // Welsh Housing and Development Association (1920). This is the photo description:“Pithead Baths at Ocean Coal Co., Treharris: Interior of dressing room: a change of clothes was suspended from the ceiling by means of chain. The other end of the chain was secured to the changing benches by means of a padlock, the key to which, was worn around the neck of the miner at all times. Deep Navigation Colliery c.1916.”
There is also a photograph on display of the pithead baths at Ocean Deep Navigation Colliery at The Big Pit museum near Blaenavon
RCAHMW, 17 July 2025