|
|
||
 Photograph believed to have been taken in Lumpsey Mine; notice the use of horses instead of ponies in the Cleveland Ironstone seams, this was due to the increased depth of the ironstone seams. The miners are holding carbide lamps and a pile of props are on the left. Image courtesy George Pearson.  North Skelton mine (the original name being Foggo, which was the name of the farm which was the original site for the mine), the wooden headgear predates the replacement by a steel headgear in 1924. Image courtesy of George Pearson.  We believed this image was of miners in Eston Mine. David Richardson came to the rescue telling us: ”Eston Mine in ‘Harry Scott’s Headwess’, about 1925. The men have just finished barring lose ironstone down from the roof in the top left hand corner of the photograph. Tommy Seymour is breaking the stone apart with a pick while William Gill is loading the stone into the mine waggon.” Craig Hornby tells us: ”This I can confirm is Eston 1920 and if my memory serves me correct was taken in Park Headways district. ‘Headwess’ is extreme local pronunciation of ‘Headways’! The picture is one of a set entitled (drilling/filling/timbering/barring) taken to illustrate an article written by then Eston mine Manager – William Grace – for the ”Iron and Coal Trades Review” magazine. The article was called ‘Stratified Ironstone Mining in Cleveland’.” Image courtesy George Pearson; with thanks to David Richardson and Craig Hornby for the updates.  This photograph can only have been taken in Eston Mine where the height of the Cleveland Main Seam reached maximum thickness here. The miner on the left is holding a light on the end of the pole to help with locating the prop. The sharpened point is very evident. David Richardson suggested: “Eston Mine, in the thick seam district about 1925.” Craig Hornby tells us: ”Again Eston in 1920 is confirmed. Part of a set of photographs taken for the ”Iron and Coal Trades Review”. Eston was the only Cleveland mine where deputies worked in gangs of three, due to the collosal size of the timbers, imported from Norway – apart from during World War I – when imports were interrupted. The woods of Lazenby Bank, just below the 1871 bridge area/ SS Castle were harvested and transported via ‘The New Cut’ a new access route that linked up to the Lazenby-Guisborough cart road at the south-west corner of the present Wilton Golf course. The new cut and cart road are still there, leading down to the Conker Wood layby. The timbers were taken via road to Eston Low Drum or The Tip Yard and sent in at Trustee. Timber was also harvested at this time from the plantations around pit-top and lowered down the ‘smokeshaft’ (Upsall No. 2). The old steam Engine house had been recently replaced by an electric hauler and was used to store timber. Source: George Appleby (Miner 1911-39) speaking to Craig in 1988/89 at age of 91/92 years.” Image courtesy of George Pearson, thanks to David Richardson and Craig Hornby for complete clarification on this image and the working at Eston mine.  Two Deputies appear to be cutting holes for a baulk to support the roof in a Cleveland ironstone mine, believed to be Eston, but we await confirmation of this location. Craig Hornby gtells us: ”Fantastic picture! Never seen this one before. Wonder where it was taken. Still with candles in cloth caps so no later than 1930s when carbide came in.” Derick Pearson suggests: ”Due to amount of water sweating in on back face, could it have been Kilton or perhaps Duck Hole mine. They were both often wet like this. Also roof height is more in line with those perhaps?” Image courtesy of George Pearson and thanks to Craig Hornby and Derick Pearson for the updates.  A miner can be seen drilllng a hole for the charges. He is using a hand ratchet drill, the improvised platform he is standing on looks perilously shaky. David Richardson tells us: ”Image from Eston Mine, a miner drilling a shot hole in the thick seam district (with an average height of 16ft) using a hand rotary drill (likely a Blackett Hutton). Taken around 1925.” Craig Hornby now confirms the date and the reason for the image with: ”Eston 1920 for ‘Iron & Steel Trades Review’”. Image courtesy of George Pearson; thanks to David Richardson and Craig Hornby for the updates.  After a hole has been drilled a shotfirer is seen charging the hole with an explosive from the wooden case the second miner is holding. The miners are wearing safety helmets, with headlamp fed from the battery pack on their hips; David Richardson advises: “The scene was from North Skelton mine in the 1950s.” Image courtesy of George Pearson and many thanks to David Richardson for the update on location.  Two miners at the face in a Cleveland mine. The lack of safety helmets suggests an early date for the photograph. The sharpened points of the pit props were a safety feature. When the points began to spread the pressure was increasing and remedial action needed to be taken. Image courtesy of George Pearson.  A miner’s pay slip 1943, less than a fiver for seven days hard graft on wartime rations. Explanation for younger viewers: a pay slip was called an ”Off Tack” because of the deductions from the wages. Courtesy of Jeff Templeman.  No names on this photograph when loaned to us by George Pearson; believed to be underground at Lingdale Mine. Rachel Lee and Cathy Hood tell us: ”Far left is our Grandad, John Edward (Nap) Hood of Boosbeck.” Can you name anyone? Image courtesy of George Pearson and many thanks to Rachel Lee and Cathy Hood for the naming update. |
||
Recent Comments