HOLE 6: MINESHAFT
THE COLLIERY SHAFT TUNNEL:
A colliery shaft is a vertical or near-vertical tunnel that provides access to underground coal seams in a coal mine (colliery). These shafts are a fundamental part of deep coal mining operations.
The Somerset Coalfield has a rich mining history, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Collieries in this region, such as those in Radstock and Midsomer Norton, utilised these vertical shafts, with horizontal tunnels (also known as drifts or levels) extending from these shafts to reach the coal. These underground networks were integral to the coal extraction process and were often supported by timber or steel to prevent collapses.
Dynamite was used in coal mine shafts to fracture rock or coal seams, making extraction easier and allowed miners to remove large volumes of material quickly, especially in hard rock formations.
To detect dangerous gases, especially carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), which are colourless, odourless, and deadly, canaries were taken in cages into the coal mine shafts to be used as an early warning system. They were chosen for this task due to their highly sensitive respiratory systems; canaries breathe more rapidly than humans, making them more vulnerable to toxic gases. If these gases were present in the shafts, the canary would show signs of distress or die before the levels became too dangerous to humans. If the canary stopped chirping or collapsed, it was a clear, immediate signal for miners to evacuate.
Today, many of these old mine shafts and tunnels have been sealed or collapsed, but remnants can still be found in the landscape. Local museums, such as the Radstock Museum, offer exhibits and information on the area’s mining heritage. Historical societies and archives may also have detailed maps and records of the old colliery layouts.
