Imagine a time when mining was a simple, yet perilous, endeavor. In the early days of mining, a method known as the bell pit was prevalent. Miners would dig a central shaft deep into the earth, extracting minerals as they went. The pit would expand outwards, resembling a bell, until the roof threatened to cave in. At this point, a new shaft would be dug nearby, and the cycle would repeat. The empty spaces from the old pits would be filled with waste materials, creating a landscape dotted with these unique structures. These bell pits, often identified by circular indentations in the ground, can still be seen today in areas like Brimington, Inkersall, and Duckmanton.
To transport the extracted minerals, miners relied on rudimentary technology. Wooden rope winches powered by hand would hoist baskets full of minerals to the surface. A wooden ladder was the only way to enter and exit these underground labyrinths.
Evolution of Coal Mining: From Stall and Pillar to Longwall
As coal mining progressed into the 17th century, two primary methods emerged: stall and pillar, and longwall. Each system offered a different approach to extracting coal while ensuring the mine’s stability.
Stall and Pillar: A Grid of Coal and Support
The stall and pillar method, favored for its stability in shallow seams, involved creating a grid of mine shafts, known as stalls. Alternate blocks of coal were extracted, leaving pillars of coal in place for support. While this method ensured safety, it came at the cost of coal waste, as a significant portion of the coal remained unextracted in the pillars.
Longwall: A Continuous Extraction System
The longwall method, believed to have originated in Shropshire mines, ushered in a more efficient era of coal extraction. This system, characterized by its continuous operation, involved a three-shift working system. John Farey, a renowned writer of the time, detailed the process in his 1811 writings.
The Three Shifts of Longwall Mining
The Holers: Undermining the Seam
The holers were the first shift, working through the night to undermine the coal seam. Using picks, they chipped away at the base of the coal seam, creating a wedge known as an undercut. To prevent the roof from collapsing, they strategically placed wooden props along the face. At one or both ends of the face, a vertical cut was made to allow the next shift to safely drop the coal.
The Hammermen and Drivers: Breaking the Coal
The hammermen or drivers, arriving after the holers, used long, sharp iron wedges and hammers to break the coal into large blocks. Following the drivers, the rembler meticulously broke the blocks into manageable pieces for the loaders. This system of breaking and loading the coal relied heavily on wooden tools, as iron tools were too expensive for widespread use until the late 18th century.
The Timberers: Ensuring Roof Stability
The timberers or punchers, the final shift, were responsible for reinforcing the roof using seasoned timber supports. These timbers, sourced from local forests or plantations, provided essential support to prevent mine collapses. Once the timbering was complete, the cycle would begin anew, ensuring a constant flow of coal extraction.
John Charleton’s Innovation: Cast Iron Support
John Charleton, a skilled mechanic, collier, and iron smelter, was a pioneer of mining innovation. In 1802, he patented a revolutionary new system for supporting mine roofs: cast iron puncheons or stanchions and caps. These fluted and braced structures were both strong and lightweight, offering a significant improvement over the traditional timber supports. However, despite their advantages, these iron supports were met with resistance from miners. The miners feared the lack of a cracking sound from the iron supports when under pressure, which traditionally warned of an impending roof collapse, unlike the timber supports. Their reluctance led to a threatened strike when the Butterley company mines introduced the new supports in the 1920s.
Revolutionizing Transportation: The Flanged Iron Rail
The transportation of minerals, both underground and at the pit head, also saw significant advancements. Flanged iron rails, better known today as tramplates, were invented by John Curr, a viewer of Sheffield colliery, in 1787. These rails gradually replaced the wooden ones used in mines. The first use of these rails was likely by Joseph Butler, an ironmaster, at the surface of his collieries at Wingerworth.
Conclusion: A Look Back at Mining’s Evolution
From the rudimentary bell pits to the more sophisticated longwall method, coal mining evolved drastically over time. Innovations like the cast iron support system and flanged iron rails paved the way for safer and more efficient mining practices. While the dangers of mining remained, these advances gradually transformed the industry, leaving behind a legacy of technological progress and engineering ingenuity.
