English Coal Mining History at the NCMME

Coal mining has always been a very dangerous job and has seen many disasters throughout its history. Major disasters were often linked to the presence of explosive gases underground, but there was also the risk of fire or flood. Generally, though, there were more miners killed from small everyday accidents, such as roof falls or dangers from the use of equipment such as haulages.

This postcard was produced to commemorate the disaster at Cadeby colliery in South Yorkshire in 1912. This disaster was particularly poignant as there was a second explosion, and many more people killed, during the rescue attempt.