Initially, No 2 shaft had to be abandoned at a depth of 150 feet because of flooding and the management were forced to work the No1 pit only.
The water problem was overcome by installing a powerful new pumping engine which, it may be reasonably assumed from Coal Authority Drawing No.SWR 1772, discharged the mine water under gravity to the Bargoed Fach brook in the village, via an underground quarry-stone lined culvert, constructed in 1857. This had its exit, which may still be observed opposite the entrance to Moore’s Row as it joins the main road, just below the location of the now demolished railway bridge.
The plan opposite is of Fochriw No2 Pit and, although undated, probably shows the main roads as they were during the late 1880’s