NEIMME: Lamps

CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTION OF MINERS' SAFETY LAMPS AT THE NORTH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF MINING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, NEVILLE HALL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE.

COMPILED BY LT. COL. A. WEDGWOOD, O.B.E., M.Sc., M.I.Min.E.
1946.

NOTE

The majority of the lamp collection in the Institute was stolen in the 1970s. The information in the catalogue is provided for reference purposes. Please consult the librarian if you wish to see photographs of the lamps. We are indebted to Mr. Alan Vickers, a local mining historian and a member of the Institute for compiling and editing the catalogue.

INTRODUCTION.
Coal mining had been carried on for centuries in this country before any practicable form of safety lamp was produced in 1815.
The methods of illumination varied with circumstances, but all were of a very crude character. In workings free from inflammable gas the problem of illumination was simplified by the lack of the danger of explosion. In such cases candles and crude oil and fat burning lamps of the 'smutty' type were quite common. The candles were made of ox or sheep tallow with a cotton wick, and were for a long time the principal source of illumination. Even in mines where inflammable gas was ever present, the work was carried out with naked lights so that the men worked under a constant grave danger. Explosions were common. The danger was fully appreciated and efforts were made to minimise it, though never very successfully.
In many cases reflectors were arranged at the entrance to the mine in such a fashion that the sun's rays were reflected down the mine. Only rarely do we find records of the success of this scheme. Failure was frequent, as can well be imagined, owing to irregularities and obstacles in the shafts, the poor reflecting surfaces and the frequent total absence of the source of light.
In mining districts near the sea it was quite common for miners to work in dangerous places by the phosphorescent gleam of dried, and usually putrid, fish.
Another method consisted of removing as completely as possible the source of danger before the miners commenced their day's work. A 'fireman', thickly clothed and frequently soaked in water to reduce the chances of burning, entered the mine with a torch on a long pole and traversed the roadway igniting the gas as he went. This was a laborious as well as a dangerous task, as the journey was usually made on the stomach. Such a task could not be expected to produce a cheerful countenance on the fireman and owing to his appearance when clothed for duty he was commonly called the 'penitent'.
Skilled miners were able to estimate the proportion of inflammable gas present in the atmosphere by observing the spiralling blue flame on the candle. This process of 'trying the candle' is exactly similar to the method of gas testing now used with the flame safety lamp where the gas produces a blue cap over the lamp flame.
About 1750 Carlisle Spedding, a mining engineer of Whitehaven, invented his steel mill, which required the full time and energy of a youth to operate it. By turning the handle the steel disc was made to revolve, through gearing, at high speed. When a piece of flint was held to the edge of the revolving disc a shower of luminous sparks was produced which were considered incapable of igniting methane. This instrument was commonly used for years in England and on the continent, although the illumination was small and the cost large.

HISTORICAL NOTE.
The period 1880-1890 was a most important one in the history of safety lamps. Prior to that time the periods 1815-17, in which Davy and Stephenson produced the first practicable lamps and 1839-45, when Clanny, Mueseler and Boty produced their lamps, were prominent.
Between 1880-1890 Commissions sat in England, France, Belgium and Germany to test and study safety lamps. These Commissions gave prominence to the subject and the £500 prize offered by Mr. Ellis Lever acted as a further incentive.
Undoubtedly the Marsaut lamp received a good reception in all countries.
An examination shows that imperfections and prejudice influenced the popularity of lamps. The following brief summing up shows the feelings about that time. Many people lacked confidence in lamp glasses because of the possibility of them breaking by heat or accidental blow. Improvements in the quality of the glass and experience overcame this prejudice eventually, though even in the 20th century the Davy lamp and other types which had gauze round the flame were still in use.
Bonnets on lamps were regarded with mixed feelings. Their increase of the safety of the lamps was appreciated but the possibility of lamps being assembled without their gauzes caused feelings of insecurity which retarded their universal adoption.
Certainly by this time the essentials of reasonably good safety lamps had been found i.e. the gauzes, chimneys, glasses.

Design from this period onwards was towards better candle power (though no great improvement was made for another 40 years), better locking, greater stability of flame, improved gas testing, lightness in weight and so on. All countries had regulations regarding the use of safety lamps by this time and from then on regulations were tightened as lamps improved.