Title
South Staffordshire Coal Field, England
Caption
South Staffordshire Coal Field, England. Holers at work in a thick seam of coal, worked in a pillar and stall system, leave pillars of coal to support the roof. The scene depicted is lit by a candle stuck in a wooden stand, a dangerous practice in coal mines where there is always a danger of the presence of the inflammable gas, methane. The invention of the miner's safety lamp in 1815 or 1816 made mine explosions less frequent. From "The Popular Encyclopaedia" (London, 1888).
Date
1888
Credit line
Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library
Reference
ARP07112_009779P
License type
Rights managed
Available size
15,3Mb (1,1Mb) / 5,0in x 11,8in / 1513 x 3543 (300dpi)