‘Mine Lighting and the Flame Safety Lamp’
Talk by Mark Carlyle, Curator at the National Mining Museum
Zoom talk on 18th November
Mark Carlyle described clearly the vital importance of the development of what is often called the ‘Davy’ lamp. Coal mining was particularly susceptible to firedamp and other dangerous gases, but it was not until a disaster at the Felling Pit in 1812, in which 92 died, that national attention was drawn to the dangers of coal-mining. The ‘Sunderland Society’ lobbied for regulations to improve safety, and held a competition to design a safety lamp. Safety lamps were designed by George Stephenson, then an enginewright at Killingbeck Colliery, and Sir Humphrey Davy, President of the Royal Society, using a gauze mesh which stopped the gases being ignited, but allowed oxygen in to keep them lit. The designs were developed and modified during the late 19th and 20th century, and regulations were introduced by the Government for their use. A change came when the electric head-lamp was introduced, and gave better light. However, the flame safety lamp remained invaluable for detecting the presence of gas.
Mark Carlyle’s talk was interesting, detailed and informative, and was relevant to our members, many of whom either worked in the mining industry, or have family who did so.