1. Coal Mining
By Niamh And Katie

2. Davy Safety Lamp detected poisonous gases by its flame changing colour.
Coal mining has existed in Scotland since the 12th century (1100’s)
There were many technical advances before 1830:
The Davy Safety Lamp was devised in 1815 and saved thousands of lives
Ventilation=Fire buckets to draw fresh air through the pit
Watts Steam Engine pumped water out of the mine.
Gunpowder and fuse helped get to coal easier.
Mining Before 1830

3. Reasons for Increased Demand
When James Watt invented the Steam Train in the 18th century it increased the demand for coal
In the 19th century the demand for coal increased further because of railway development Mines had to be dug deeper

4. More Reasons
As the population of towns grew, many people used coal to heat their homes and cook food
Coal was used in production for street and house lighting
Iron industry used coal for smelting

5. Types Of Mine
Bell Pit
Drift Mine

6. Types Of Mines
Spiral Pit
Trap Pit

7. Types of Jobs
Trappers
Hewers
The youngest children (4-5) opened and shut traps on the air doors of the mines to keep air clean.
Men/older boys who cut coal away from coal face using pick axes.

8. More Jobs
Bearers
Boys/girls who dragged or pushed coal in carts to bottom of pit shaft.
Or carried loads up the shaft on their backs in baskets called creels.

9. Working conditions before 1842
There was a huge increase in demand for coal for industrial and domestic needs
There were long working hours (around 12 hours a day, 6 days a week) but workers were still paid poorly even though they faced many dangers:
Choke damp
Flooding
Coal dust Silicosis
Explosions

10. 1842 Mine Act
In 1840, the government set up a Royal Commission to investigate conditions underground.
In 1842, its report was published. The Mine Act was then published:
No females to be employed underground
No boys under the age of 10 to be employed
Boys under 15 not to operate winding gear
Inspectors to be appointed t0 enforce the act

11. Aftermath Of The Report
Even though many mines ignored the act it was a step in the right direction
For the first time, the government had passed a law that was eventually to result in improved working conditions in the mines.
The Mines Act

12. How Conditions Changed
Early 1800’s conditions
Late 1800’s conditions
Technology:
Wooden Props
Buckets for drainage
Candles/Safety lamp
Picks for cutting
Gunpowder with fuse
Technology
Metal Props
Steam Driven Pumps
Electricity
Electric digging tools
Gelignite with detonator

13. W0rld War One
When the war started there was a huge impact on the coal industry
By July 1915 the output of coal was down by 3 million tons due to workers joining the army
With fewer miners, owners had to do something they attempted to increase working hours which was resisted by the miners.

14. Coal was needed for… To run factories Power Railways
So without enough workers it was a big problem!
In February 1917 the government decided IT would control the mines for the duration of the war.
This is called NATIONALISATION.
This also stopped anymore miners joining the army.
Power Railways
Iron Works (weapons)
Coal & WW1
Fuel Homes
Run Ships
Coal was needed for…

15. ‘’Not a penny off the pay not a minute on the day’’
In many cases wages were higher than before, mining was just as important as the troops in France
Trouble heightened in the 1920s when owners tried to reduce pay and increase working hours.
But miners went on strike…
‘’Not a penny off the pay not a minute on the day’’

16. In years after the war a law was passed for Safety and conditions:
Hours reduced to 7 a day
Pithead baths were introduced
But there were still a few problems…
Improvements

17. A graph of coal mining production from 1700>
Cheap coal was coming from Poland and Germany so less coal was being exported
The coal industry has never regained itself since.
A graph of coal mining production from 1700>