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Coal Mine Disasters in the Modern Era c. 1900–1980
“These haunting images, with well-researched facts, figures and timelines providing context, bring the bygone era of 20th-century coal mining to life.”—Family Tree
Although everyday fatalities in mines was far greater, it was the disasters that encouraged those in power to reform the way in which miners had to work underground, especially with regard to safety. And it would be no exaggeration to say that it was the disasters that greatly contributed to bringing the coal industry into national control.
Sadly, for bereaved individuals and families, nothing could really compensate for the loss of one or more of a loved one. The impact of the big disasters, where hundreds of men and boys—one or two generations—were lost, immediately, the impact was massive, and continued to be felt many years afterwards. New and restored disaster memorials bear testimony to the great respect that former mining communities continue to have for their “lost miners.”
Using many previously unpublished images, and a carefully supportive text, the author provides a detailed overview of mining disasters in the modern era, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. It is the first book of its kind to attempt such a large project in pictorial form with a foreword by Ceri Thompson, curator of the Big Pit, the Welsh national mining museum. The book is published at a particularly poignant time, after the recent closure of Britain’s last deep coal mine.
“So many remarkable photographs and drawings: The story may be tragic, but it is one that lies at the very heart of the history of coal mining in Britain.”—WDYTYA? magazine
Although everyday fatalities in mines was far greater, it was the disasters that encouraged those in power to reform the way in which miners had to work underground, especially with regard to safety. And it would be no exaggeration to say that it was the disasters that greatly contributed to bringing the coal industry into national control.
Sadly, for bereaved individuals and families, nothing could really compensate for the loss of one or more of a loved one. The impact of the big disasters, where hundreds of men and boys—one or two generations—were lost, immediately, the impact was massive, and continued to be felt many years afterwards. New and restored disaster memorials bear testimony to the great respect that former mining communities continue to have for their “lost miners.”
Using many previously unpublished images, and a carefully supportive text, the author provides a detailed overview of mining disasters in the modern era, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. It is the first book of its kind to attempt such a large project in pictorial form with a foreword by Ceri Thompson, curator of the Big Pit, the Welsh national mining museum. The book is published at a particularly poignant time, after the recent closure of Britain’s last deep coal mine.
“So many remarkable photographs and drawings: The story may be tragic, but it is one that lies at the very heart of the history of coal mining in Britain.”—WDYTYA? magazine
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2017
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January 17, 2021
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I love this kind of book that lets you look back in history, both at some of the major events and the social history.
My father worked for the Coal Board when I was born, albeit is as an Electrician and not on the actual coal front, which was quite a common occupation for where we live in the Midlands so I wanted to know more about what it was like after speaking to him and this book was an eye opener.
I asked him if they still used canaries when he was there, thinking it was a bit cheeky and the answer would be no and I was shocked that he said that they still had them there in case of emergencies!
The number of incidents is not as shocking as I first thought, especially when you consider what they were doing they were probably lucky that safety did develop as much as it did and there were not many more mass scale disasters – after all they were working underground with little access to fresh air and in very confined spaces – a lot could go wrong at any time.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed finding out more even if the topics were a little hard at time with the injuries and loss of life for some – very highly recommended!
I love this kind of book that lets you look back in history, both at some of the major events and the social history.
My father worked for the Coal Board when I was born, albeit is as an Electrician and not on the actual coal front, which was quite a common occupation for where we live in the Midlands so I wanted to know more about what it was like after speaking to him and this book was an eye opener.
I asked him if they still used canaries when he was there, thinking it was a bit cheeky and the answer would be no and I was shocked that he said that they still had them there in case of emergencies!
The number of incidents is not as shocking as I first thought, especially when you consider what they were doing they were probably lucky that safety did develop as much as it did and there were not many more mass scale disasters – after all they were working underground with little access to fresh air and in very confined spaces – a lot could go wrong at any time.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed finding out more even if the topics were a little hard at time with the injuries and loss of life for some – very highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review