PEZPH : 1990.1109 - Penlee House

Photograph

Acc.no: PEZPH : 1990.1109

Identification

Item: Underground, East Pool Mine, 1893

Description: 730 people were employed at East Pool Mine and the scene in the photograph looks down towards the 70fm level tramroad, which is being reworked - "Two miners are drilling the footwall of the lode; they have removed their hard hats for working, as was normal. The figure seated on the rock is the photographer's wife. Notice the great 'stull pieces' which support the jutting part of the hanging wall". (J.A.Buckley, Cornish Mining Underground). Herbert Thomas's interview with Burrow is revealing about some of the difficulties of photographing underground: "I have had say half-a-dozen assistants - some miners, some not - climbing almost perpendicular ladders, one with a camera strapped to his back. Others carrying boxes, gas cylinders, tripod legs etc. Then, suddenly there has been a shout 'My box is slipping' and away it goes, fathoms below, and the day's work must be given up". (1896)