 Drawer and Trapper* |
*Drawing by Sheila Toman |
Early mines were very simple.
One shaft was sunk from the surface to the seam. Colliers excavated the coal at the bottom of the shaft until collapse was imminent. Because of the shape of the excavation such mines were called "bell mines".
Another shaft was then started from the surface a few yards away.
Later, tunnels were made through the seams and a larger area of coal could be worked from a single shaft.
Colliers won the coal from the seams. It was put into baskets which were loaded onto sledges and dragged by "drawers" to the bottom of the shaft. Coal tubs were used later.
A team worked under the leadership of a collier, and was paid by him from his earnings which were calculated by the amount of coal gained. Members of the team were often the wife and children of the collier.
Coal mining was a difficult and dangerous occupation. Many miners lost their lives in roof falls, explosions and other accidents.