The Radstock Pits & The Dangers Within

Todd writes:

Well, we're back into lockdown once again but that won't stop me with my latest history article. Spending time at the Radstock Museum and discovering some amazing objects that they hold, especially so close to home really meant something so it seems only right to start with the "historic coal mining town".

The pits are something close to home for many families, many of whom still live in the area.

Mining is all too familiar with my favourite history era, the Romans, who first referenced coal in the 3rd century and used excessive mining to excavate out lead from the Mendips that was used all around the local cities specifically in Aquae Sulis (Bath) that now lines the great bath at the historic Roman Baths site.

When I went to research this article at the Radstock Museum, what was most of a shock was how many pits were active in Radstock alone. For example, the 'Old Pit' which was located in Clandown just at the end of Coombend, was sunk in the late 18th century, the Georgian period. This pit was closed in 1858, by this time it was using pumps to pump water from other pits which as you may be aware were connected underground and were all subject to flooding. The pit itself was 942ft in depth, now all you can see is an arrangement of cottages named Old Pit Terrace.

Being down the mine was, as you can imagine, a very dangerous place to work from explosions or rock falls, to tumbling tunnel collapses. Legislation to protect workers was not introduced until 1911 and the Mines Rescue Service was enshrined in law in 1913. Yet due to the start of the First World War the placement was delayed until 1919 and this was when the Somerset Rescue Station was set up in Midsomer Norton.

To be a member of the team required at least two years' experience being underground and you had to be medically fit.

One other big danger was gas and not just if it exploded. Whitedamp a subtle carbon monoxide gas, not one of the explosive gasses, if inhaled it would be very poisonous and would soon cause death. The issue being these miners could be miles along the mineshaft and if they'd already inhaled this gas, they would never have enough time to get out in time.

Afterdamp contained a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide which as you're aware we still have to be careful with now in our own homes. It was lighter than actual air and would be found near the roof of a tunnel whilst whitedamp would lie near the ground. The reason you would need good ventilation in these mines is not only just for the miners breathing but also for the safety to minimise explosion.

Then there was firedamp which was a mixture of mostly methane and when mixed with oxygen or air would become highly combustible. This made ventilation vitally important and why mines would employ Trappers, usually young boys whose entire responsibility was to keep opening and closing the doors when mine carts would come through, to also regulate the airflow through the mines. Falling asleep on the job in this case could have fatal consequences for the entire mine crew.

The Radstock Museum is filled with tons of information and I will be delving into the archives for more of my stories; it's well worth the visit. Stay safe everyone and I look forward to writing up my next piece for you all, till the next time!

By Todd Arthur Phillipswho used for reference the book :Radstock reminisces history and a batch of memories.

And here are all those Radstock Collieries:

Ludlows (locally pronounced "Ludlass") bottom of Frome Hill sunk in 1782 -last coal 1954

Tyning Colliery top of Tyning Hill via Waterloo Road sunk in 1837- last coal 1909

Middle Pit in Coombend sunk in 1779-1933

Old Pit sunk 1763 -1858

Clandown Colliery 1790-1924

Smallcombe (Clandown) 1797-1855

Wellsway Colliery (Westfield) 1829-1897

Kilmersdon Colliery (Haydon)1874-1973, which was the last Somerset coalmine to close.