3-003-903 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Prince of Wales at Shireoaks Coalmine, Notts, the property of the Duke of Newcastle: the shaft engine-house, 1861. The future King Edward VII visits a coalmine in Nottinghamshire. 'The Prince there inspected the engine-house, the machinery for lifting the coals, &c...The surface machinery...is of the most improved description, the engines being beautiful specimens of mechanical art...More than 300 men are now employed at the colliery, and about 300 tons of coal are sent out daily. Though the seam contains little gas, the pits are worked exclusively with Davy lamps, and on what is called the "long-wall" system. The utmost precautions are taken against casualties, the discipline of the colliery as regards all such matters being very strict. The coal is used chiefly for locomotive and general steam purposes...[and] is of superior quality...The seam is two feet in thickness, and is what is called the "Top hard or Barnsley coal." The colliery is under the management of Mr. Chas. Tylders Wright, F.G.S....His Royal Highness was invited to descend the colliery, but declined, having previously explored collieries in other parts of the country'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.