1
The Growing Demand for Coal
For hundreds of years people have been digging coal from the ground, the amount of
coal that was produced however was very small in comparison to what was to happen in
from the 18th century onwards. Coal mining grew steadily throughout the 18th century
as expanding industries demanded more and more cheap fuel. The supply of coal had to
be increased to satisfy the demand. As Stanley Jevons a 19th century economist
stated “Coal stands above all else in importance”.
Source 1.
The Figures below give some indication of the importance of coal and the scale of the increase in demand.
YEAR
OUTPUT
EMPLOYMENT
1830
30 MILLION TONNES
150, 000
1880
150 MILLION TONNES
503,900
So why did the demand for coal increase?
One of the main reasons for the increase in the demand for coal was that the population
was rising. Unlike today coal was the main source of heating in the home. Most of the
houses had coal fires so as the population increased naturally the demand for coal also
increased. At the same time, however, Britain was experiencing rapid economic growth; we
often refer to this period as “The Industrial Revolution”. Demand from the cotton
Industries to drive steam powered machinery increased rapidly after 1815. The Iron and
Steal Industries used huge amounts of coal. In fact it is estimated that to produce one
tonne of iron it took four tonnes of coal in 1830. The iron industry took up almost 25% of
coal that was produced during this period. The demand for coal increased as a result of
Britain’s railway network. As the railway network expanded more trains were needed. The
trains were powered by the steam engine and this of course was powered by coal. Finally
the new paddle steamers that transported people and British goods across the world were
also powered by coal, again increasing the demand.
1. Read through the page.
2. Copy out the table in your workbook.
3. Complete the exercise on the next page.
2
The Growing Demand for Coal
From the information you have read complete
the boxes below.
TRAINS
STEAMERS
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_____
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_____
The Growing
Demand for
Coal
INDUSTRY
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_____
POPULATION
COTTON
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_____
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_____
3
Conditions in the Mines
Conditions for those who worked in the coal mines of Britain were terrible. Miners had
to work long hours in the dark and wet with a number of hazards to deal with which
were not to be found in many other work-places. The miners came up with some
remarkable methods to try and overcome the difficulties.
VENTILATION
 Taking canaries into the mine. If the canary died, there was gas and the miners
needed to leave the pit.
 Cutting two shafts and lighting a fire at the base of one of them, to draw fresh
air down the other.
 John Buddle invented an air pump, but it was expensive and pit owners were
reluctant to pay for a pump.
LIGHTING
 Several methods were used, none of them particularly attractive.
 Rotten fish, which gave off a phosphorescent glow - besides the dreadful smell.
 Candles, which exploded the methane.
 Flint mills, which produced sparks of light but could also, ignite the methane.
 After 1815, the Davy lamp was available, but it cost money and employers were
reluctant to buy them.
FLOODING AND OTHER PROBLEMS
 Water in the workings. This was to some extent alleviated by the inventions of
Savery, Newcomen and Watt, but again the machines cost money.
 Illness among the miners. These included things like stunted growth, crippled
legs, curvature of the spine, skin irritations, heart disease, ruptures, asthma,
bronchitis and rheumatism. Many women suffered from miscarriages and were
no longer able have children.
4
Conditions in the Mines
Copy and complete the sentences using the information that you have read over the page.
There were many d__________ involved in mining. It was common for
miners to be injured or even k________ in the pit. Owners tried many
different methods in order to try and overcome the problems. In order to
help light the pit R_____ F____ was used because it gave off a
Ph____________ glow, unfortunately it also gave off a bad s_______.
Sometimes candles were used but these could explode the dangerous gas
M__________. Mine owners were reluctant to use the D________
S________L_________ because it would cost them money. Many mine
owners were greedy and never liked spending money. Even when new
machines were made by people like W____ to pump water out of the mines
the owners refused.
As well as the constant threat of death to the miners through explosions,
cave inns and flooding the miners also suffered from a variety of illnesses.
This could lead to diseases like b__________ and asthma. Deformities like
c___________ of the spine and rheumatism.
Miners did try and prevent gas explosions from happening by taking
c_________ into the mine. These birds are very sensitive to methane gas
and would die when they came into contact with it. If the bird stopped
chirping this was a sign that methane gas was present and miners would
need to get out of the pit fast!
5
Conditions in the Mines
EVIDENCE FROM THE 1842 ROYAL COMMISSION
In 1840 Shafestsbury, the PM managed to get a Royal Commission set up to investigate the working
conditions of children in coal mines. The first report was published in May 1842. Their
investigations, which included illustrations as well as cross-questioning witnesses, revealed the full
horrors of working conditions in the mine. Much of the report centred on women working in either
scanty clothing or - even worse - in trousers. Victorian morality could not tolerate such things.
On 7 June 1842 Shaftesbury delivered a speech for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the
employment of women and children in mines. It was based largely on the evidence printed by the
commissioners.
Source 1. Evidence from the Royal Commission 1842
The type of employment, which is assigned to the youngest children, is that of 'trapping'. The
children engaged in this are commonly excluded from light, and are always without companions.
According to their own account many have not seen the light of day for weeks.
Source 2. Evidence of a Trapper in 1842.
I stand and open and shut the door. I'm generally in the dark and I sit down against the door: I stop
twelve hours in the pit; I never see daylight, except on Sunday; I fell asleep one day and a corve ran
over my leg and made it smart (hurt).
Source 3. Evidence of a trapper in 1842.
It does not tire me but I have to trap without a light (a candle) and I am scared. I never go to sleep.
Sometimes I sing when I've a light, but I do not sing in the dark. I dare not sing then. I do not like
being in the pit.'
Source 4. Evidence of a mine owner
"The commissioners questioned the children themselves and were talking to cunning boys and
ignorant girls... This led to anything but a fair and unbiased report. The trapper's employment is
neither cheerless or dull. Nor is the trapper deprived of light. The trapper is generally cheerful and
contented and to be found, like other children of his age, occupied with some childish amusement like cutting sticks, drawing figures with chalk on the door or modeling figures in clay."
1. In what ways do sources one and two agree on the work of a trapper?
2. What other problems were involved in mining according to source three?
3. Why should we be careful about the evidence given in source four?
4. What evidence is there in source four that disagrees with the previous evidence?
6
DISASTER IN THE PITS
The bodies were taken to a temporary mortuary, often referred to as 'the death house' and it was
that the women of the village gathered to wash the broken bodies with love and care and lay them
out in coffins with the belongings carefully folded at the foot.
Women would help with the nursing of the injured and provide refreshments for the parties of
rescuers who risked their lives recovering the bodies in the hell that was below.
The rescue work continued night and day and as the bodies were recovered they were brought to
the surface, usually at night, out of sight of the large crowds which had gathered at the pithead.
With the dead cared for it was time for the harrowing process of identification. Wives, mothers
and sweethearts made the tragic journey to the death house to try to identify their own. They could
make several visits and view many terrible sights before they found their husband, son or lover.
Once identified they would have to make arrangements to take the body home often in a handcart
or barrow and make arrangements for the funeral. A list of the victims would be posted and
updated at the colliery.
In the latter half of the 19th. century there were many mining disasters in the coalfields of the
country. Explosions of firedamp killed hundreds of men and boys, taking away the family
breadwinners and leaving many widows and orphans. The pit hooter signalled death
underground. The women waiting at home would hear the sound and there would begin a rush to
the pit head, anguish etched on their faces.
PUT THE BOXES IN THE CORRECT
ORDER AND PUT THE RELEVENT
PICTURE BESIDE IT.
7
1838 Huskar Pit Disaster (Yorkshire)
26 children drowned
We have included this text here to illustrate the employment of children in the
mines, and the perils associated with it. In the mining community of Silkstone men,
boys and girls started work but at about 2 pm when a fierce storm started. A
warning was sent to the miners and some tried to get out. Sadly a swollen stream
near the entrance burst its banks. A torrent of water poured into the drift and 26
children aged between 7 and 17 were drowned in seconds. The children were
buried on 7th July 1838. The girls in three graves and the boys in four graves.
Catherine
Sarah
Sarah
Annie
Mary
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Hannah
Elizabeth
Ellen
Hannah
Francis
James
Girls
Name
Garnet
Jukes
Newton
Moss
Sellars
Clarkson
Carr
Webster
Hollin
Parker
Taylor
Hoyland
Clarkson
Age
8
8
8
9
10
11
13
13
15
15
17
13
16
James
John
George
William
Amos
George
Eli
John
George
Samuel
James
William
Isaac
Boys
Name
Burkinshaw
Gothard
Lamb
Walmsley
Wright
Barnett
Hutchinson
Simpson
Burkinshaw
Horne
Turton
Allick
Wright
Age
7
8
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
12
12
1. How did these children die?
2. What impact do you think this disaster would have on the
Government, what for example might the government do about the
employment of children?
3. Make a list of the number of children in each of the age categories.
8
Working in the Mines
The Trapper
Read the following sources and answer the questions
that follow.
Source 1. Robert Macintosh giving evidence to a parliamentary report in 1842.
R.M. I am what you call a trapper. I sit in a little hole and open and shut the doors to
let air in and also to let the bearers through. I am in the mine for the whole
day usually about 12 hours. I have to sit in the dark often on a damp floor,
sometimes waist deep in water and mud. We are paid very little.
M.P. How old are you boy?
R.M I am 10 years old sir.
Source 2. From Parliamentary Papers published in 1843
The little trapper of 8 years old lies in bed; between two or three in the morning his
mother shakes him. He fills his tin bottle with coffee, and takes a loaf of bread and
sets out for the pit. All his work is to open and shut the door and then allow the door
to shut itself. He sits alone and has no one to talk to he has no light. His hours are
passed in total darkness. He knows nothing of the sun. The boys are not allowed to
complain for if they do they are struck by those in higher office. In fact when I
approached the boy to speak to him he shrank trembling and frightened into the corner.
Source 3. Evidence form a mine owner to Parliament 1842.
The children seem to enjoy the work for they hardly miss a day. They are well paid
and well treated. It is ludicrous to suggest we mistreat our workers.
Q1. What was the job of a trapper?
Q2. How useful is source two as evidence of the work that children did in the mines
and the way in which they were treated?
Q3. Why might the last source be biased and what evidence is their to suggest that he
may not be telling the truth?
9
Working in the Mines
The Bearers
Women are commonly employed as bearers. They
carried the coal from the bottom of the pit shaft to
the top. They used a series of ladders to get up to
each level. The coal may have weighed up to 75
kg.
 Look at the picture below and explain why this might be dangerous.
Source 1. Ellison Jack aged 11 years old giving evidence to a parliamentary committee 1840
I start at five in the morning and finish at five at night. I have to carry up to 75kg each all day long.
Firstly 25 meters up from the pit face, then up a 6-meter ladder. Then along another tunnel only a
meter and a half high. Then I have to climb another five ladders all 6 meters high. I must fill at least
five tubs each of which contain 500kg each. It takes two people to hoist the coal onto my back. I
hate the work but my father makes me like it.
Source 2. Evidence given by a mine worker to a Royal Commission 1840.
I have seen people with terrible problems. Many women now have curved spines. I even know of
women who can no longer have children because they were made to pull wagons around their waste
when they were in the family way. My body aches when I go home at night and my legs tremble. I
have drawn coal until it has taken the skin from me.
Q1. Why working as a bearer might be difficult?
Q2. How useful is source two as evidence of the problems faced by bearers?
Q3. What is meant by a) My father made me like it. b) In the family way.
10
Coal Mining
The Hewer
Source 1 From a history textbook.
The Hewer was the man who hewed or cut the coal from the coalface. He lay
crouched or on his side at the coal face in a space so often cramped that it was
impossible to stand up and cut out the coal. Sometimes he used a pickaxe and
sometimes he hammered wedges into cracks to loosen and split the coal. Hewing was
a skilled and dangerous job. If he was careless, he could bring a couple of tons of coal
crashing down on top of him. At any moment he might break through into an
underground spring, this could flood the mine with millions of gallons of water and
drown all within. The miner worked in a cloud of coal dust, which found its way into
his eyes, mouth, nose and lungs.
1. How useful is source 1 for finding out about difficulties and dangers involved in
mining?
2. The source mentions three dangers involved in mining what are they?
Source 2. This source comes from a book published in 1992.
The Hewer was paid according to the amount of coal he cut. When he cut the coal he
was careful not to break it up into small pieces, since a better price was paid for large
coal. When the coal had been carried to the surface, the check man checked the amount
and quality of the coal. The miners always complained that the check man underestimated the amount of coal cut while the mine owner complained that he overestimated the amount. Out of his wages the hewer had to pay the bearers who carried
the coal to the surface. A bearer usually had two bearers who were paid an average of
2p per day. This encouraged miners to marry early since if they had no wife and
children they would have to pay someone else to bear for them. In addition to his pay
the miner usually had a house provided by the mine owner either rent free or at a very
low rent, and he was given free coal to heat his house.
1. How was the Hewer Paid?
2. Explain why the checkman had a difficult job.
3. Why did the Hewer marry at an early age?
4. What was the benefit of being a miner?
11
The End of Laissez Faire?
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE MINES
The Government was shocked and appalled at the conditions that woman and children
were being forced to work in. They abandoned their policy of Leissez Faire in 1842
by passing the Mines Act.
THE MINES ACT 1842
 This banned women and girls and boys
under the age of 10 from work
underground.
 Both women and children could continue
to work in the coal industry in the many
dirty and difficult jobs above ground, for
example, sorting and bagging the coal.
 The minimum age for operating a winding
engine to work in the shafts was set at 15.
To enforce the Act the government
appointed one inspector for the whole of
Britain.

PROBLEMS
Inspectors were not given the right to go down pits until 1850.
So many pits ignored the new law and kept on using children, it was difficult to prove the age of a child
anyway especially since many children did not have birth certificates.
The miners' families were keen to keep their children working, since they produced valuable extra
income for the family.
Many women were made unemployed and could not find any other work. It did not deal with the
conditions of men and boys over the age of 10. It did nothing about safety, working conditions and the
length of working day.
BUT
The Mines Act of 1842 was only the beginning.
Government intervention in the coal mines would continue and this resulted in great improvements to
working conditions over the next century.
12
.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE
MINES
THE COAL MINES
INSPECTION ACT 1850
The Mines Regulation and
Inspection Act 1860
 More inspectors appointed with the
right to go underground.
 Forbade boys under 12 from going
underground unless they could read
and write.
 New powers to enforce rules and
regulations about safety and to
prosecute anyone they found
breaking them.
 Powers to collect information about
accidents.

It was compulsory for each mine to
have at least two exits. To improve
ventilation and also provide a safe
exit for the miners in the case of an
accident in one of the shafts
 All fatal accidents had to be
reported to the Home Office.
THE MINES ACT 1872
 In 1872 it was made compulsory for
the mine manager to hold a
certificate of competency which was
only gained after passing a national
exam.


The act gave the mine workers the
right to appoint their own safety
representative to inspect their mine.
Insisted on safer methods in the mining
industry, for example, fan ventilators,
stronger timbering, wire ropes better
safety lamps
OTHER REFORMS
 In 1909 an eight hour working day
was introduced for underground
workers.
 In 1911 the Coal Mines Bill
required larger collieries to provide
baths at the pit head.

In 1917 another hour was taken off
the working day, reducing it to
seven hours.
13
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE
MINES
YEAR
LEGISLATION
SUMMARY OF ACT
(Act of Parliament)
(Pro’s and Cons)
1842
MINES ACT
1850
THE COAL MINES
INSPECTION ACT
1860
1872
THE MINES
REGULATION
AND INSPECTION
ACT
THE MINES ACT
1872
14
ENQUIRY SKILLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Read the sources below and answer the questions using the methods described below.
The following questions are known as ES 6 questions. The examiner is looking for you to be able to
extract the correct information from each of the sources basesd on the question.
Source A is from evidence given to government investigators finding out about working
conditions in coal mines in 1841.
My name is Jane Watson. I have worked underground for 33 years. I have nine children. Three of
my babies were born down the mine but two of them were dead. My work is dragging carts of coal
with a metal chain round my belly. My children help me load the cart. I don't want them to work
in the mine but I have no choice. I feel old and worn out although I am only 40 years old.
Source B is from the Renfrew Report about an investigation into coal mines published in 1842
The Commission investigating conditions in the coal mines have described the terrible conditions
in which men, women and children work in our coal mines. But is it the whole truth? The report
made no mention of the Davey safety lamp which has reduced the risk of explosions or of many
mine owners who provide schools for their children and pay money out of their own pocket to
women who are expecting a baby and unable to work.
1. What evidence is there in source A that working conditions in coal mines were bad?
What evidence is there in source B that working conditions in coal mines were not so bad?
(5marks)
How to answer. This question can answered in table format.
THIS MAKES IT EASIER TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AT THE BOTTOM .
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SELECT THE CORRECT EVIDENCE FROM THE TABLE TO ANSWER
PART OF THE QUESTION.
SOURCE
EVIDENCE WORKING
CONDITIONS WERE BAD
EVIDENCE WORKING
CONDITIONS WERE NOT BAD
A
B
2. To what extent were working conditions in coal mines in the 1840's bad? Use evidence from the
sources and your own knowledge to come to a conclusion.
15
ENQUIRY SKILLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Study the sources carefully and answer the questions that follow. You should use your own
knowledge where appropriate.
NOTE
THESE TYPES OF QUESTIONS WILL NOT COME UP IN THIS SECTION IN AN EXAM BUT
THEY WILL COME UP IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PAPER SO IT IS STILL A GOOD IDEA TO
PRACTICE THEM.
Source A is adapted from "Children of Coal and Iron" by I. Rose and D. MacLean.
The 1842 Mines Act stopped all girls, women and boys under the age of ten from working
underground. The 1850 Mines Act appointed inspectors to check ventilation and further legislation
in 1860 raised the age limit for underground workers to 12, and for machine minders to 18. In
1862 a law stated that mines with only one shaft had to be closed; in 1872 the law required that all
managers in mines had to have a certificate ko show that they could do their job properly.
Source B is an extract from a letter written in 1844 by W Daniels Secretary of the Scottish Miners to Lord
Ashley.
Being on a visit to this part of Scotland I find that the act for the prevention of females working in
pits is daily and openly violated. The Clackmannan Coal Company trading under the name of
Wilson & Co. employ over one hundred women in their coal works in this area without the least
attempt at concealment! I am also prepared to prove that women are employed in the coal pits in
other parts of Scotland -many at the Duke of Hamilton's mines near Falkirk. In fact, My Lord,
your humane act is a dead letter in Scotland.
Source C is from "Britain Transformed" by the historian Malcolm Falkus, written in 1987.
In the later nineteenth century steam driven fans were installed to circulate air in mines.
Underground explosions were considerably lessened by the invention of the Davy Safety Lamp.
Strong, wire rope became more widely used in all pits. Increasingly, collieries used steam engines
for their winding gear. Aspects of safety were also improved by Acts of Parliament.
1. To what extent do sources A and C agree that it was mainly Acts of Parliament that improved safety in the
mines in the 19th century.
Sources A and C agree / disagree on the impact that parliament had on safety in mining. The writer in
source A states _________________However the writer in source C states _______________The writer
in source A also states _____________. The writer in source C further agrees / disagrees by stating
_______________. Clearly these sources agree/disagree
2. What is the attitude of W. Daniel’s towards the impact of the 1842 Mines Act in Scotland.
The writer in source B has a very positive / negative attitude towards the impact Mines Act.
The writer states ___________________________ He goes onto state
that_____________________ . Both of these statements show that the writer believes that the
Mines Act ___________________.
16
CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING
0
A MINE IN 1850
A MINE IN 1930
Get a copy of the above pictures and put them in your jotter.
1. Make a table with two headings - A MINE IN 1850 2. A MINE IN 1930
Under each of the headings make a list of the differences using the information in the pictures.
2. Copy and complete the table putting the old and new methods in the correct boxes.
PROBLEMS
How do you get the coal
out without causing the
roof of the mine to cave
in ?
OLD METHOD
NEW METHOD
Thomas Savery in 1698 invented a
steam pump James Watt in 1776
invented a steam engine this was
used to pump the water out of mines
For Fire Damp – ventilation shafts were dug
to let fresh air in
The main help for the miners was
the Safety Lamp. This was invented
in 1815 by Sir Humphrey Davy.
This lamp had a fine gauze around
the candle and so it didn’t give off
enough heat to light the gas.
Trucks were pushed along the mine shafts
on wooden rails, but the rails buckled.
Baskets were carried up the mine shafts
( normally by women !)
Fire Damp – would
explode on contact with
a flame- miners carried
candles for light
For Choke Damp – Exhaust fans
( which sucked the bad air out of
the mine shaft) were tried but didn’t
work well.
Iron rails were used instead of wooden ones
and pit ponies would pull the truck. By 1780
horse powered winding gear was used to
pull the coal to the surface.
Choke Damp – would
suffocate the miners
Leather buckets were filled with
water and carried up to the surface
Iron and steel pit props were used. These
lasted a lot longer
How do you get the coal
to the surface ?
- For Choke damp – miners carried a
canary in a cage
Wood posts ( pit props) were used to hold
the roof up but these rotted.
How do you avoid
flooding in the mines?
17
ENQUIRY SKILLS PRACTICE
Study the sources carefully and answer the questions, which follow. You should use your own
knowledge where appropriate.
Source A is from "A Short History of the Scottish Coal-Mining Industry", published by The National
Coal Board, Scottish Division in 1958.
Source A
By the 1930s there had been great progress in power machinery, which cut and loaded the coal
mechanically. This means that mining could be carried out efficiently and with greater safety and
that made for greater productivity than in the days of pick, shovel and pit pony.
1.
How useful is Source A for investigating the effects of machinery on coalmining?
Source B is from a Royal Commission Report on Safety in Mines, published in the 1930s.
Source B
Machines themselves involve risks due to their moving parts when at work. They also make it
difficult to move, especially at the coal face, and they make a lot of noise. The more rapid advance
of the coal face has caused an increase in the amount of gas and coal dust produced.
2
What evidence in Source A agrees with the view that machinery had greatly improved
coal mining by the 1930s?
What evidence in Source B disagrees with the view that machinery had greatly
improved coal mining by the 1930s?
3.
How far do you agree that machinery had greatly improved coal mining by the 1930s? Use
evidence from the sources and your own knowledge to come to a conclusion.
18
CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING
0
Mining the Coal
Some of the first coal cutters used were hand held and were not that successful. Nevertheless companies
from all over Britain competed to produce coal cutting machinery. In 1870 some companies were using
huge machines like the Gartsherrie that were similar to giant chainsaws. Even so 60% of coal in 1936 was
still cut by hand, the miner using pick and shovel.
Ventilation
We know that the conditions in the mine were horrible. As miners went deep underground it became
hotter and stuffier. There was also the ever present danger of gas and with that came explosions. Mine
owners realized that the solution to this was a better ventilation system. Huge fans were thus installed in
mines. These pumped in fresh air and extracted the dangerous stale air. The problem, however, was the
cost of the new technology. This made many mine owners reluctant to introduce them and despite the
1872 Mines Act fans did not become widespread until the 20th century.
Moving the Coal Underground
After the Mines Act of 1842 mine owners needed to find new and faster ways of getting the coal to the
loading areas. At first horses like Shetland ponies were used mainly because of their smaller size. These
remained in use even up till the 1990s. A pulley system was used to move wagons underground on rail
tracks, again however this was dependent on the steepness of the slope. Steam engines were later
developed to pull the wagons. At the turn of the century another development introduced at the coal face
was the endless conveyor and conveyor belt. This took the coal from the cutting point to the loading area.
Lifting the Coal - Winding Gear
The winding gear was the machine used to allow coal to be raised to the surface as well as to allow men to
reach the pit face. The cages also brought down supplies and machines to the pit bottom. Cages were
normally suspended on a steel winding rope. The cage is normally supported underneath by cage chains four corner chains and two safety chains. the Headgears are the iron and brick towers that stand over mine
shafts. They had to be able to support the cage's heavy loads and withstand the power of gale force winds.
After 1860 most companies started to use wire rope. Using wire rope instead of hemp meant that heavier
loads could be lifted. Steam winding engines were also used. This increased the amount of coal which
could be extracted from mines, in some cases by almost 200 %.
19
CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING
0
Pumping out the Mines
As mines grew deeper so the problems of water increased and keeping the mines clear of water was a
constant task. Originally steam engines were used, often operating above ground, but they were not
reliable and were very difficult to maintain. They did not cope well with pumping water from great
depths. Only with the introduction of electricity did this particular task become easier.
Gas
There were three main types of gas, each of which presented unique problems. (See 'Dangerous Gases'.)
Better ventilation dealt with many of these gases. However, there were other technological advances
during the period which also contributed. Perhaps the most famous was the safety lamp invented by Sir
Humphrey Davy in 1815. This worked by surrounding the flame with wire gauze, allowing air in to let
the flame burn but not allowing it to ignite gases outside the gauze. The presence of inflammable gases
was indicated by a change in the colour of the flame. However, this lamp did not give as much
illumination as naked lights like candles and these were still being used in the 1850s and 1860s in mines
where no risk of explosions was anticipated. In the years between 1835 and 1850 more than six hundred
fires and explosions were reported in British coal mines.
Roof Fall
It is essential to prop up the roof of the coal workings adequately. Initially this was done by leaving coal
supports-the room and stoop method. During the 19th century this method was replaced by 'artificial'
props. These might have to withstand pressures of 40 tons or more. Stronger props made either of wood
or steel were used and latterly hydraulic props which could absorb movements in the roof were introduced.
20
NEW TECHNOLOGY
COMPLETE THE TABLE USING THE INFORMATION ON THE PREVIOUS PAGES.
PROCESS
IMPROVEMENTS
21
THE USE OF HORSES
IN COAL MINES
This picture illustrates the mouth of a small mine
near Pontypool in Gwent. Note the horse's
protective headwear. This protected his face and
eyes against injury by bumping against the tunnel
timbers and from falling stones. An average tram
of dry coal would weigh 700-750 kilo's.
In 1931 there were 73,024 horses in British mines but were reduced to 32,109 by 1937 with the increasing
increase of machine power. The coal still had to be removed from the coal face to the mechanical haulage,
so for many years to come the horse played a large part in coal mining. Horses as a rule were very well
treated, well fed and generally not overworked. At any one time at Tirpentwys colliery in Gwent in excess
of 100 horses were used and some were shown in Pontypool Park in competitions. The last two horses to
work in a British coal mine was at Pant-y-gasseg near Pontypool in Gwent and were named Gremlin and
Robbie. Both were retired in 1999, with Gremlin going to Milton Keynes R.S.P.C.A the home for retired pit
ponies, while Robbie went to an English mining museum. Gremlin can be seen having worked his last
shift and pulled his last tram of coal. Mike Desmond is leading him out from the mine for the last time in
the photograph. Mike's family have been involved with small mines for over 70 years, and he said that it
bought a tear to his eyes seeing both horses going; these feelings are reflected in Mike's body language.
In deep mines, they would spend most of their short lives without seeing the light of day, being housed in
underground stables when not working. Many were killed due to explosion and accidents, as an example of
this, the remains of nine horses are still buried at Glyn Pits after the disastrous underground fire of January
1890. The picture above illustrates the result of what appears to be an underground explosion, the horse has
been killed and the trams piled in disarray. Although there were cases of abuse, in most cases, horses were
very well cared for. In this context, it should be borne in mind that horses were worth more to the early mine
owners than the men using them, and therefore would have been more expensive to replace.
1. How many horses were used in mines after 1930.
2. What does this tell you about the impact of new
technology?
3. What evidence is there that horses were treated quite
well?
4. When was the last horses used in British mines
retired?
5. How important were horses to mine owners?
22
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN MINING
ADVERT 1
ADVERT 2
ADVERT 3
23
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN MINING
ADVERT 4
ADVERT 5
ADVERT 6
24
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN MINING
ADVERT 7
ADVERT 8
ADVERT 9
25
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN MINING
ADVERT 10
ADVERT 11
Choose five of the adverts that you have looked at and fill in the
table below.
ADVERT
NUMBER
1
COMPANY NAME
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Union Engineering
Company
Blowing Fans and
Exhausting Fans.
According to the advert this product
is in use in over 500 mines. It is
better than rival products and makes
the working environment much
better.
26
MINING TODAY
THE DEMISE OF THE COAL MINING
INDUSTRY
At the end of World War Two there were over 1,000,000
miners in Britain. The coal mines were the single biggest
employer in the UK. The Government nationalised the
industry and took over the mines. By the end of this year
there were fewer than 10,000 miners. Britain no longer
relies on the coal industry as much as it used too, in fact
some would argue that today coal is irrelevant. In the
past, coal powered all of the electricity companies and so
Britain needed huge amounts of coal. Today the
electricity that powers our houses comes from hydro
electric, nuclear power, gas fired power stations and even
wind power.
THE MINERS STRIKE 1974 AND 1984.
Back in 1974 the Ted Heath Government called a General Election because the miners were on strike.
The impact of the miners strike, back then, forced Britain onto a three day working week. Electricity
was cut off in houses, schools and businesses. People were forced to use candles for lighting their
houses. Heath went to the country and asked the question, “Who governs the country the Miners or
the democratically elected Government”. Unfortunately for Ted Heath and the Conservatives the
public voted for the Labour Party. The Conservatives were beaten by the NUM. It was something that
they would not forget.
In 1984 The NUM went on strike again. Striking miners protested about the continuous closure of
mines in the UK. The 1984 strike was significant because it marked the demise of British coal
mining. The government said that the miners were trying to bring the country to its knees by
stopping the coal reaching the electricity suppliers. The Conservatives also argued that the NUM had
political aims and that they were trying to bring about the fall of the conservative government.
Unlike 1974 Margaret Thatcher the Prime Minister at the time was well prepared. For Months she
had secretly built up millions of tonnes of coal supplies and this meant that the strike did not do the
same damage that it had done in the past. The Union was divided and in fact split apart. This meant
that some workers did not go on strike. For almost a year striking miners fought running battles with
the Police. Eventually the miners were forced to give up. Thatcher had won and the consequences for
the mining industry were disastrous.
Before the strike the workforce stood at 138,500 and there were 169 pits in production. Today these
figures have now shrunk to 8,125 and 18 respectively - a profound decline. The Government speeded
up its programme of pit closures arguing that it did not make sense to keep open mines that were not
making money. Former miners argued that whole communities throughout the country were left
without hope. They state that the Government ripped the heart of the community. Many of the former
mining areas still suffer from serious levels of unemployment.
27
THE DEMISE OF THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY
The miners strike was only one factor that resulted in the demise of coal mining in the UK The strike also
revealed coal mining was no longer vital to the UK economy. Here are some of the other reasons why coal
mining is no longer vital to the UK’s energy needs.

It was just too expensive to produce coal in the UK. British Coal was losing billions of pounds every
year trying to keep pits open. The tax payer was footing the bill
 Gas-fired power stations produce lower levels of greenhouse gases than coal-fired ones, helping the
country meet commitments for lowering emissions of greenhouse gases. So in effect Gas is better for
the environment.
 The government has wanted to move away from relying on one source of fuel.
 The Government wants to increase the use of renewable energy.
 It is cheaper to import coal from other parts of Europe.
TASK 1
EXTENDED WRITING
USING ALL OF THE INFROMATION THAT YOU HAVE READ WRITE A
SHORT ESSAY BASED ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTION.
THE DEMISE OF THE UK COAL INDUSTRY WAS INEVITABLE
CONSIDERING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE INDUSTRY FACED BY
THE 1990’S, DISCUSS.
INTRODUCTION
SUMMARISE THE QUESTION
Mention the numbers employed in the pits
PARAGRAPH 1
PROBLEM OF STRIKES 1874 1984
Why were the strikes happening what was the result
PARAGRAPH 2
OTHER SOURCES OF ENERGY
Government moves away from one source of energy
Nuclear Gas Renewable etc.
PARAGRAPH 3
CLOSURE OF PITS NUMBERS EMPLOYED
Impact on communities mining today
CONCLUSION
Summarise all of the reasons for closures
28
ENQUIRY SKILLS PRACTICE
The issue for investigating is:
By the 1930s working conditions had greatly improved in Scottish coal mines.
Study the sources carefully and answer the questions which follow. You should use your own
knowledge where appropriate.
Source A is from "Britain Transformed" written in 1987 by the historian, Malcolm Falkus.
In the later nineteenth century steam driven fans were installed to circulate air in mines.
Underground explosions were considerably lessened by the invention of the Davy Safety
Lamp. Strong, wire rope became more widely used in all pits. Increasingly, collieries used
steam engines for their winding gear. Aspects of safety were also improved by Acts of
Parliament.
Source B was written in 1869 by David Bremner after his visit to Arniston Colliery in
Midlothian.
The miners enter the pit between 5 and 6 o'clock in the morning. They are in constant danger
of a violent death or of injury. The winding gear may give way and there are the dangers of
being suffocated by foul air or of being scorched to death by the ignition of fire damp
(methane). In 1865 in Scotland 12 034 638 tons of coal were raised and 77 lives lost.
Source C is from a history textbook and is about working conditions in mines in the 1930s.
The dangers of roof falls and cage accidents were still present, though rarer, and fewer lives
were lost than in the past. However, new machinery created more dust and more lung
disease. Safety clothing was only being introduced in the 1930s. Government legislation
resulted in improvements and the miners continued to press for better pay and conditions.
1.
How useful is Source A for investigating improved working conditions in Scottish coal mines
in the nineteenth century?
2.
What evidence is there in the sources that working conditions in Scottish coal mines were
improving?
What evidence in the sources suggests that working conditions in Scottish coal mines had not
greatly improved?
3.
To what extent did working conditions greatly improve in Scottish coal mines by the 1930s?
You must use evidence from the sources and your own knowledge to reach a balanced
conclusion.