Funded By
Tourism & Trade
Play Games
Coal Mining

Self - rescuer

127mm height x 98mm width x 87mm depth

An emergency breathing mask in sealed metal canister. They were used to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning underground after an explosion, worn by all miners on their belts, and were an effective short-term breathing apparatus. The canister has the following instructions for use: Pull red lever, lift off cover, pull out mask by means of headstraps, insert mouthpiece, pull nose-clip on, pull support straps over head.

Poster Commemorating Lives Lost In Colliery Disasters

253mm height x 210mm width

Printed poster commemorating the number of victims lost to colliery disasters from the 1830s to 1920s. The poster begins: In loving memory of the 3508 miners who lost their lives in colliery disasters in North Wales, South Wales, and Monmouthshire during the past 90 years, and lists the number of those killed alongside the collieries where the men lost their lives.

Newspaper Report On Cost-Cutting At Inefficient Mines

300mm height x 380mm width

Extract from the Western Mail for 27 July 1987, reporting on plans by British Coal to introduce cuts to less efficient mines in South Wales.

National Union Of Mineworkers Honorary Member Pin Badge

20mm diameter

Lapel badge for a National Union of Mineworkers' South Wales Area honorary member. The badge is part of a collection of items relating to the 1984-85 Miners Strike. Red-enamelled badge with gold lettering around the border: S.WALES AREA NUM / HON MEMBER. The donor took part in the strike and worked at Merythr Vale Colliery.

Miner's Twist Box

19mm height x 72mm width x 34mm depth

Brass miner's twist box, for tobacco, with a hinged lid, with stamped letters: DANIEL:PHILLIP 5.MARY.ST ABERDARE.1888 Daniel Phillips, the owner of the box, was born at Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, in 1872, the son of Joseph and Ann Phillips. His father was a mason and soon after Daniel's birth moved to Aberdare, where the family settled at 5 Mary Street. Daniel Philips spent his working life as a coal miner in the Aberdare area, and after his parents' deaths during the 1890s continued to live at 5 Mary Street, where he raised his own children with his wife Mary.

Miners' Lamp

350mm height x 88mm diameter

Brass-bodied miners' lamp with a bonnet covering the iron gauze flue section, and carrying hook. Until the early nineteenth century, the only safety precautions taken in mines against gases such as methane ('firedamp') were done by a 'fireman' dressed in wet sacks, crawling along the ground with a candle on a pole. Many lives were lost in coal mines because of explosions, caused by the candles used by the miners for light. In 1815 Sir Humphrey Davy and George Stephenson both invented safety oil lamps that had gauzes around the flame, limiting contact with the methane. Later examples, such as this one, were refinements of Davy's and Stephenson's designs.

Miners' Lamp

340mm height x 90mm diameter

Brass-bodied miners' lamp with an iron gauze flue section and handle. This was made by Thomas & Williams Ltd of Aberdare. Until the early nineteenth century, the only safety precautions taken in mines against gases such as methane ('firedamp') were done by a 'fireman' dressed in wet sacks, crawling along the ground with a candle on a pole. Many lives were lost in coal mines because of explosions, caused by the candles used by the miners for light. In 1815 Sir Humphrey Davy and George Stephenson both invented safety oil lamps that had gauzes around the flame, limiting contact with the methane.

Income Tax Rates For Miners

203mm height x 260mm width

Table produced by the South Wales Miners' Federation displaying flat rate allowances on Income Tax for colliery workers employed in South Wales, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire. Dated 15 January 1941.

Brass Watchcase

31mm height x 80mm width x 280mm chain length

Miner's watch case, made of brass with a glass circular lid and chain, used for miners to carry their watches with them without risk of damage.

Battery Powered Miners' Lamp

356mm height x 120mm diameter

Modern miners' lamp powered by a battery, made in Oldham, near Manchester. The coming of battery-powered electric lamps reduced the danger of explosions caused by lamp flames, but unlike the flame lamps, the battery lamps could not be used to detect gases in the mines.

Tel: 01685 727371
Last updated: 15.11.2011
Was this information useful?
Thinking about what you have just read, how useful did you find the information?
Take a moment to tell us how we could improve this page, but please don't leave any personal details like your name or address. This information is for comments only and you will not receive a response.
Submit