Mines What was it like?

A hard day in the mines Coal was a vital ingredient of Victorian life. It provided heat for the home and for cooking. Coal was a vital ingredient of Victorian life. It provided heat for the home and for cooking. Most importantly it was the fuel for the factories and railways. Most importantly it was the fuel for the factories and railways.

Coal Britain supplied 80% of the world’s coal. Britain supplied 80% of the world’s coal. The coalfields stretched from Scotland to Somerset but they were mostly in the central part of the country. The coalfields stretched from Scotland to Somerset but they were mostly in the central part of the country. The coal had to be cut out of the ground by hand. The coal had to be cut out of the ground by hand. It was then carried in baskets or pulled along in wheeled tubs that ran on railway tracks. It was then carried in baskets or pulled along in wheeled tubs that ran on railway tracks.

Miners Most of the miners were men. Most of the miners were men. However there were a number of women and children who worked down the mine. However there were a number of women and children who worked down the mine. Many of the children were between five and nine years old. Many of the children were between five and nine years old. Once again there was an issue of child abuse, with many of the children being beaten for not working hard enough. Once again there was an issue of child abuse, with many of the children being beaten for not working hard enough.

Women and child labour Young boys were employed as trappers. Young boys were employed as trappers. Trappers sat in a hole hallowed out for them and held a string which was fastened to the door. When they heard the coal wagons coming they had to open the door by pulling the string. Trappers sat in a hole hallowed out for them and held a string which was fastened to the door. When they heard the coal wagons coming they had to open the door by pulling the string. Woman and girls were employed to carry coal out of pits Woman and girls were employed to carry coal out of pits This picture shows how “drawers” pulled coal out of the mines with a chain attached to a belt around their waist. This picture shows how “drawers” pulled coal out of the mines with a chain attached to a belt around their waist. There were a number of female “drawers” There were a number of female “drawers”

“Bearers” As well as “drawers” there were a number of “bearers”. As well as “drawers” there were a number of “bearers”. “Bearers” had to carry the coal on their backs up the steep slopes, stairways or ladders to the surface. “Bearers” had to carry the coal on their backs up the steep slopes, stairways or ladders to the surface. “Bearers” often worked hard for ten hours or more without a break. “Bearers” often worked hard for ten hours or more without a break.

Working Conditions in Mines There were ventilation problems. Dangerous gases existed such as: There were ventilation problems. Dangerous gases existed such as: Chokedamp (carbon monoxide), Firedamp (explosive methane) and suffocation by carbon dioxide Chokedamp (carbon monoxide), Firedamp (explosive methane) and suffocation by carbon dioxide There were problems with lighting. There were problems with lighting. Sometimes deep mines filled with water. Sometimes deep mines filled with water. Illness among miners was very common Illness among miners was very common Lung diseases resulted from breathing coal dust Lung diseases resulted from breathing coal dust Cave-ins and accidents were common Cave-ins and accidents were common

Mine Reform Lord Ashley (Lord Shaftesbury)- leader of the campaign Lord Ashley (Lord Shaftesbury)- leader of the campaign A report was published in 1842 about the conditions in mines. The public was shocked by the findings and by the pictorial evidence. A report was published in 1842 about the conditions in mines. The public was shocked by the findings and by the pictorial evidence. This led Parliament to pass :- This led Parliament to pass :- The Mines Act 1842 The Mines Act 1842 The employment of women and girls below ground was made illegal The employment of women and girls below ground was made illegal Boys under 10 could no longer work underground Boys under 10 could no longer work underground

The comment of one Parliamentary Commissioner in the 1842 Report The children that excite the greatest pity are those who stand behind the doors to open and shut them: they are called trappers, who are in darkness, solitude and stillness as of night, and eke out a miserable existence for the smallest of wages. I can never forget the first unfortunate creature I met with: it was a boy of about eight years old, who looked at me as I passed with an expression the most abject and idiotic, like a thing, a creeping thing, peculiar to the place. On approaching and speaking to him he shrank trembling and frightened into a corner. The children that excite the greatest pity are those who stand behind the doors to open and shut them: they are called trappers, who are in darkness, solitude and stillness as of night, and eke out a miserable existence for the smallest of wages. I can never forget the first unfortunate creature I met with: it was a boy of about eight years old, who looked at me as I passed with an expression the most abject and idiotic, like a thing, a creeping thing, peculiar to the place. On approaching and speaking to him he shrank trembling and frightened into a corner.

Child Slavery But not everyone agreed. The comment of a pit owner, Lord Londonderry(who argued that the report was biased):- But not everyone agreed. The comment of a pit owner, Lord Londonderry(who argued that the report was biased):- The way in which the commissioners collected the evidence, talking to artful boys and ignorant young girls, and putting answers in their mouths, was most unfair. The manner in which the report was accompanied by pictures of a disgusting and obscene character was designed to excite people’s feelings, not help them form a reasoned judgement. The trapper’s job is not dull and boring. He is not kept in darkness all the time he is in the pit. The trapper is usually happy and cheerful and passes his time cutting sticks, making models.

What was his job?