Geordie doon the Pit
The entry below is a synopsis of our speakers talk on 12th October 2022
Ben’s presentation started with the origin of coal, the number of Pits around this area which had to transport the coal from the pit down the waggon was down to the key at Newcastle, the coal industry dominated and shaped life in the North East. Once the coal arrived via the waggon ways on the Tyne it was loaded onto boats at the staiths, pier-like runways that were used to tip tons of coal into cargo holds.
The famous “keelmen” would have been easy to recognize for centuries on the Tyne in their bright yellow waistcoats, blue jackets and straw boaters. Working with the tide, they manned the keels, all of which were loaded and off-loaded by hand. Their long, oval shaped shallow keel boats, powered by sail and operated by a skipper, two mates and a boy called a “pee-dee” would have been a common sight on the way down the Tyne to the waiting ships ready to take the coal down to London.
Ben talked about the hard work and long hours and children as young as 8-10 years had jobs as well giving out candles, operating isolation doors to reduce the possibility of gas explosions. The structure of the workers was explained how each man had his task and the comradeship down the mine
Life for coal miners was precarious with harsh working conditions and the frequent danger of mining accidents. There was danger from gas explosions, flooding or collapsing roofs. The North East Mining Institute lists 85000 deaths between 1873 and 1953 and as many as 1800 in a single year.
Ben conclude this excellent presentation with a question and answers section which all our members thoroughly enjoyed.
For further information Click on the link Coal Mining
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