In comparison to other industries miners had the potential to earn an average living. I have chosen this statement carefully, as coalmining has always been a highly capricious industry. In addition to lay-offs, reductions, strikes, the fear of disease, unemployment, illness, accidents and death the workers had to live in constant fear of the affects of fire and equipment failure.
The Brayton collieries had a reputation for accumulating water; it was a direct result of the permeable properties inherent in the sandstone strata. In order to guarantee continuous working the excess water had to be pumped from the mine. This placed a great deal of emphasis on the reliability of the pumping apparatus.
When later shafts were sunk the owners understood the problems and installed standby, back-up systems. However, this was not the case at Harriston. The disadvantage of a single pumping system was brought to the fore in August 1881, when the Spear Rod mechanism in the pump failed and the mine was laid idle for fourteen days. Within a year, the build up of water had reached acute levels and was said to be flowing with a volume equal to the river Ellen. In a vane attempt to relieve the situation the action of the pump was increased which resulted in failure. Within hours the maintenance crew had carried out a botched repair but the pump failed for a second time and breakages in the spear rod mechanism and “clack door” were diagnosed. Meanwhile, the water began to rise and was soon several feet above the problem. Two days later the miners realised the gravity of the situation when the ponies were removed from the workings and put out to graze on local farms.
Enquiries went out for experienced divers and two men arrived from North Wales. Although it took seven days to repair the problem the water had risen to an alarming height. It took a further six weeks to remove the excess water before work could re-commence. Within days the pump broke again, although it was repaired within hours. The management had learned a lesson and shortly afterwards carried an adequate compliment of spares.
The situation could have been catastrophic but fortunately for all concerned the management had sunk a second shaft to the “Yard Seam” some time earlier. Although previously unused for drawing coal this locality employed sixty men on a three shift system and satisfied the demands of all of the rural customers. Although some of the remaining miners found alternative work the vast majority suffered great hardship. It is interesting to note that the newspapers of the day were more concerned with the joint loss of income to the owner and the Maryport Dock Board, than to the pitiful plight of the remaining workforce, who received no income during this period.
The fear of fire was a constant concern and whereas no serious outbreaks occurred at Brayton there were several incidents which could have been devastating. At 1.30 pm, on October 21st 1891, two miners, named Harrison and Scott, were working close to the base of the shaft, when the cage containing a tub of coal suddenly fell and narrowly missed them. The entire wooden casing of the shaft was enveloped in flames, while the ropes that held the cage had simultaneously caught fire. The whirring sound of the buzzer awakened the residents of Harriston, who quickly assumed the worst for their loved ones. After two hours the volunteer Fire Brigade, with the assistance of many of the residents assumed control and the damage was quickly repaired without loss of income.
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