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Shaft Diver at the Penybont Tillery Colliery.
The following is a report from an engineering item written by Mr T. Dyne Steel, M.E. a shareholder and engineer who had connections with of the Penybont Tillery Colliery in the 1860’s.
The Devonshire Journal.
This article is from the Devonshire Journal, dated December 1865, it states that Mr T. Dyne Steel has employed a Shaft Diver at the Penybont Tillery Colliery, Abertillery to dive into flooded shafts and fix the underwater pumps “on site”. The diver employed is Mr John Zeale.
Mr Zeale also worked for the Newport Docks Company, he was reported as being as “brave as a lion” and “works underwater fixing and repairing pipes and pumps in complete darkness as fast and efficient as any surface fitter in a workshop”.
Mr John Zeale was from Croyde, North Devon and was also employed at many of the Abertillery pits when needed. Mr Zeale was married to Mrs Ann Zeal, nee Hooper from Cowbridge, they later lived at 2 Clarence Street, Newport while still working for the Newport Dock Co.