life expectancy of coalminers

[HeatherL]

Wow...

I'm assuming that the kind of work been done would have an impact of the life expectancy of the miners as well.  Considering this ancestor of mine lived to 82, statistically that means that he was probably doing a slightly safer job than the average miner. I don't really know much about it, beyond those pictures they have of miners with pickaxes underground. What other jobs were involved in mining then? I know a little bit about the process that they use now, but not so much about the 1800s...

[dennford]

I don't really know much about it, beyond those pictures they have of miners with pickaxes underground. What other jobs were involved in mining then? I know a little bit about the process that they use now, but not so much about the 1800s...

Oh boy, to describe the ins and outs of coal mining from the early days to the advent of mechanical mining would take some doing. However over the years I have had several requests for information on various aspects of coal mining. So if wished I could at sometime in the future attempt to put something together, it would be by no means be comprehensive but at least give some insight into methods and work practices. Plus, I am sure that there is enough mining knowledge on her that someone would be able to either correct or add to whatever I have to say.


Denn


Denn

[HeatherL]

That would be great Denn!! Only if it's not too much trouble...

[O1dgobbo]

Hi

Just because a miner ancestor lived to be 80 does not mean that he was not a proper miner.  Some people do survive enormous risks because they are lucky (i.e. about half of Bomber Command) or have an appropriate set of genes (centenarians, who smoke).  Looking from the viewpoint of a descendant it does at first seem odd to have old miners in your tree but you have to remember that only live miners could make babies.  This means that, on average, miners who are ancestors will be quite a bit older than miners, who died before they could start a family.

All the best

Gobbo

[Ceidwad Goleudy]

Another point I would also add is, don't forget that colliers quite often changed their working positions within collieries. Due to physical injury, stress or even falling out of favour a miner might be working up top one month or below ground the next. They might go from being a 'carpenter' making and fitting the props to wagon repairer above ground due to illness but then having a reduced income being up top with children to feed they might go back below ground again.

When it comes to job titles in collieries the censuses are a great resource in the latter 1800's as the title of coal miner and collier were replaced with exact positions being held. The workers in a colliery tended to be paid a flat wage except for the 'hewers' and it is these men who hold that position to look out for. Hewers instead of being on a flat wage were paid on a bonus system and they were paid by the amount of coal they cut. This is where the fatalities occurred on a regular basis and was the most dangerous job in a colliery. There were limited places at the coal face due to sheer physical limitations so there were men always waiting to take their place if they didn't cut enough coal. Besides, if they didn't cut the coal they lost their income. This led hewers to cut corners, they had to if they were to meet the demands put upon them. So carpenters would be sent back before all the props were in place so they could return to cutting coal and so on with little short cuts like this that became a deadly game of chance or dare.

[HeatherL]

What kind of mine was the one in clackmannan? I got the impression from my dad that it was an underground one.

[Gadget]

Here's a little bit on the Clackmannanshire mines for you:

http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/159.html


Gadget

[HeatherL]

Thanks Gadget, there is some interesting info on there

[toni*]

Morning i've had a look at my book it gives accounts of accidents but doesnt actually tell the life expectancy
it does mention that fires were more likely to occur in collierys than metal / ferrous mines