Coal-Mining. By: Lakyn Wallace

Transcription

1 Coal-Mining By: Lakyn Wallace

2 In Eastern Kentucky there have been many traditions passed down from generation to generation. A family tradition within my family that has been passed down many generations is coal mining. Coal mining has been passed down for generations within the Martin family. In fact, two of the generations live in what are called, coal-camp houses. These houses were built in the early 1900 s by large coal companies for miners working for them. These coal camps became many of our towns and small cities within our area. It s amazing to me that all of my great- grandfathers have had this working environment. Of course I have never met my great-great-great grandfather yet know he shared similarities to my other grandfathers of courage and responsibility in my eyes. Many coal-miners for years have worked in dangerous situations. In some of the first coal mines workers would send birds back in the mines to see if there were enough oxygen in the deep mines in order for the men to travel deep underground in order to mine coal. In old mines they would just set a few wood posts for roof support. This poor structuring was often the cause of many deaths. During this time, they would also dig the coal using a hand drill to set the dynamite back within holes they drilled. They would then ignite the dynamite and run for cover awaiting the explosion. Then the miners would shovel the coal by

3 hand unto a wagon pulled by a pony. The miners would then get paid after showing their wagon of coal. Coal-mines used ponies to pull the coal out since the roof was so low within the mines. You could imagine how even for a grown man, the situation would seem scary for even them. There were no lights or light switches, only the light on their mining hats. The light on the early mining hats of my great-great-great grandfather was a carbide lamp. These brave men would crawl deep into the minds with only primitive tools to work with and in dangerous work environments. The older mines did not have fans to push oxygen into the mine; because of this many miners would die of black lung. My great grandfather says he can remember in the early 1930 s when this area did not have electricity. As a young boy they would use oil-lamps. However with the help of coal miners then and today we have electricity in all remote areas of Eastern Kentucky. During the 1950 s and 1960 s coal mining went to battery operated equipment. Such as drillers and would use roof-bolts into the top of the mine which would support the rood and cause less roof falls therefore less coal mining deaths or accidents. Also during this era they would use flame safety lamps in order to see how far back you could travel and still have oxygen. Also if

4 methane, a deadly underground gas was in the area the flame would look like a globe a helpful warning for the miner to stay away. The miners at this time began using battery powered lights on their mining hats. With the new technology and safety techniques they could mine more coal by going deeper down into the ground. They would place rails in the mines for which they would use coal buggies to transport the coal. Huge fans were also used to force oxygen deep within the mine shafts. During the 1970 s and 1980 s cutting machines faded away and mine companies began using continuous miners. Continuous miners were machines that dug coal out of the mines. Some miners would sit on the machines and some at this time even remote controlled. Instead of using rails and coal buggies, now they began using belt lines. The belt lines were actually long, conveyor belts transporting the coal out of the deep mines to the surface. Also, they were using turbine fans that allowed cleaner and purer air down deeper into the coal mines. This allowed mining below the water table in the areas that before were too dangerous due to poisonous deadly gases. Digital meters were instituted to test oxygen and methane levels for miner safety.

5 The new technology and miner safety standards allowed more or higher coal production, henceforth more pay to the miners. As you can see mines have gone from dangerous hundreds of feet to now miles deep into earth with safer conditions. My grandfather says that with the transformation in technology and equipment the coal dust on the miners was greatly decreased too. He remembers his grandfather coming home from work and being covered so much in coal dust only seeing the whites of his eyes. In the early mines there were many injuries and deaths annually however now it is not the case. With the use of roof bolts instead of posts the number of roof fall deaths also decreased. Coal mining went from primitive techniques to technology based equipment. Coal miners must be trained before entering. Mining engineers are trained to direct mining now. Although mining technology has progressed, there still lie the dangers of roof falls due to the rock strata. A common fear of all miners. The rock layers must be at least 12 inches between the coal layers before it can be mined safely. Mining has always taken a large toil on the people in Eastern Kentucky. Without coal mining there would not be train companies, no coal based power companies, or steel mills within the US or overseas. Most coal mines today support foreign countries electrical capabilities.

6 As you can see coal mining is a tradition that my family has been personally involved with for at least four generations. I take pride in knowing of their strong work ethic, courage and dedication to their families. All of my Grandfathers endured such dangerous work environments. They have enabled me to keep my lights on!