Standard Grade Revision Britain Coal Mining

Why was coal important? Demand for coal – need for steam to power engines and industrial machines. Steam power ran railways, steam ships, & machines of textile factories. Coal was turned into coke to smelt iron. People used coal as fuel in their homes. Later coal was used to produce gas for street and house lighting.

Between 1830 and 1910 production of coal rose from 30 million to 270 million tons. Over 1 million miners in Most mines in Scotland were in the Central Belt, Ayrshire, Fife & Lothian. Effects of increased demand had great impact on conditions in mines and development of new technology. As demand increased pits went deeper to get more coal. This increased demands and dangers faced by miners.

Early mines Coal was hacked from the seam and carried along and up the tunnels to the surface. Early mines were bell pits owned or used by a few men. Mines developed into an underground world of tunnels and routes hundreds of feet beneath ground.

Dangers As mines got deeper dangers increased: –Roofs caving in –Explosions –Floods –Fires –Escaping poisonous gases. Mine owners employed cheap labour for maximum profit. Whole families worked in the mines. Improved safety would cost money – so it didn’t happen – plenty of workers available Government attitude of “Laissez-faire”

Trappers, Hewers & Bearers Women & children worked underground including heavy cutting & carrying coal. Trappers – youngest children (sometimes 4 or 5), opening & shutting traps on the air doors of mines – they sat in the dark & opened the doors when they heard a truck or people wanting to get to another part of the mine. If the trap was not closed correctly, parts of the mine would lack adequate ventilation and dangerous gases would build up. Hewers were mainly men or older boys who cut coal from the coal face. Bearers would drag or push carts full of coal to the bottom of the pit shaft – children.

1842 Coal Mining Act 1840s government set up at Royal Commission to investigate conditions in mines. Result was Coal Mining Act: –Banned women and children under 10 from working in mines. –One inspector appointed to monitor, (but didn’t have power to go down mines until 1850) –No mention of working conditions for men & boys over 10.

Other Legislation 1855Safety rules had to be drawn up by each colliery. 1860Boys under 12 not allowed underground unless they could read or write. 1862Safety rules regarding ventilation & mine exits – had to have emergency exit. 1872Exams for mine managers. Mine workers could appoint their own safety manager hours a day for those underground. 1911Baths available at pithead 1917Working day reduced to 7 hours. Despite legislation accidents in mines were still common.

1850s onwards Introduction of wire rope instead of hemp Steam winding engines instead of horse, water or human power. Increased extraction form 250 tons to 600 tones a day – air compressor installed at Govan Colliery near Glasgow, but at least 30 years before use of compressed air became widespread. – excellent source of energy foe coal cutters only 30% of coal cut in Scotland cut by machinery % 1930 most coal cutters powered by compressed sir, although electric power was being introduced.

1880s onwards 1880s to 1914 saw a record amount of coal being exported by Britain. No change in number of accidents – as late as early 1920s almost 600,000 miners were injured underground. From 1890s new technology began to be used: –Pumping, winding and haulage engines. In 1914 most coal cutting still done by hand. By % was being cut mechanically.

Water As mines got deeper problems of water and flooding increased. Originally steam engines used, often above ground – but not reliable. Only with introduction of electricity did this task become easier.

Electricity 1881 – first mains electrical lighting system 1891 – electrical driven coal cutter. Dangers – sparks causing explosions with flammable gases – compulsory for all electrical equipment used in mines to be designed & manufactured to certain safety standards. After this use of electricity spread rapidly.

Dangers Roof fall: –initially roof propped up with coal supports –During C19th replaced by ‘artificial’ props –Stronger props made from wood or steel –Lastly hydraulic props which could absorb movements in roof were introduced. Gas: –Better ventilation – fans were used, but their use was not widespread until beginning of C20th –Safety lamp invented by Sir Humphrey Davy, 1815 – presence of dangerous gases indicated by colour of flame –This lamp did not give as much light as naked flame & candles still being used in 1860s. –Although Davy lamp improved, problem of lighting not resolved until electric safety lamp.

Other Hazards Transport of men & coal steadily improved & dangerous practices eliminated. Winding gear improved so fewer accidents Coal dust – lungs – dealt with by spraying water to damp dust. As new mine workings cut near old, danger of breaking into old flooded workings – 1850 Act of Parliament made compulsory registration of Mine Plan.

First World War Huge impact on coal industry – serious drop in output as miners joined army. Coal essential – factories, iron works for weapons, railways & ships. Owners had to increase production, so with fewer miners try tried increasing working hours – resisted by miners. By July 1915 output was down 3 million tons a month. Feb 1917 – Prime Minister David Lloyd George announced mines would be run by the state for the war. State would control output & distribution. Miners not allowed to join army. Wages rose.

After First World War Laws passed to improve safety and conditions. Hours cut to 7 & pithead baths Cheap coal imported from Poland and Germany, & less coal exported. Alternative fuels like oil developed & less coal needed in some larger industries like steel.

1920s 1921 mines retuned to former owners – cause conflict among miners who wanted them nationalised. Further conflict when owners tried to cut wages – after a one month strike miners retuned to work – owners tried to increase working day by an hour & decrease wages: “Not a minute on the day, not a penny off the pay” 3 May 1926 – miners joined the General Strike, (9 days), but miners stayed out for 6 months. In the end they had to accept pay cuts & an increase in hours.

Work in mines in 1930 Overall miners safer due to technological advances. New machinery, deeper mines & new techniques created new dangers. Dangers of flooding, roof fall, cage & lift accidents & gas explosions still present but rarer. Age for going down pit raised to 14 + no women. Working day (although increased in 1926), shorter than 12 hour day of 1830s. New machinery created more dust & more lung disease. Safety clothing introduced in 1930s – protective helmet. Still dangerous, & physically demanding work

1947 Mines nationalised.