Title
Miners breaking up rock by setting a fire on it, 1869
Caption
Miners breaking up rock by setting a fire on it. When the rock cooled it would crack and shatter which made it easy to work with picks. Greater break up could be achieved b pouring cold water over the hot rock. This process was used in Saxony, Hungary and the Harz mines before the introduction of blasting powder. From "Underground Life; or, Mines and Miners" by Louis Simonin (London, 1869). Wood engraving. Mining.
Date
1869
Credit line
Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library
Reference
ARP07112_009756P
License type
Rights managed
Available size
24,4Mb (2,1Mb) / 11,8in x 8,0in / 3543 x 2406 (300dpi)