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East Pool Mine, Illogan, Cornwall. 1893
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
East Pool Mine, Illogan, Cornwall. 1893
Cornish miners working at the 180 level. Photographer: John Charles Burrow
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : MIeap.17
Media ID 12082518
© From the collection of the RIC
Candles Tram Trolley Victorian Ladders Tram Rails
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, taken in 1893 by John Charles Burrow, captures a moment in time at East Pool Mine in Illogan, Cornwall. The image transports us back over a century to the heart of the Cornish mining industry, where the daily grind of extracting precious metals from the earth was a labor-intensive and dangerous endeavor. At the 180 level of the mine, a group of miners are seen gathered around a small trolley, which once loaded with minerals, would be transported along the tram rails to the surface. The miners, dressed in heavy clothing and wearing protective hats, work diligently, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of candles. The use of candles was a common practice in mines before the widespread adoption of electric lighting. In the foreground, a miner carefully fills a tub with ore, while another man checks the level of the water in the nearby trough. The presence of the tub and trough suggests that the miners are in the process of washing the ore to separate the valuable minerals from the waste rock. The ladders in the background provide a stark reminder of the vertical nature of the mine, where miners would often have to ascend and descend multiple levels to reach their work stations. The rough-hewn walls of the mine, covered in a thin layer of water, attest to the damp and cramped conditions that the miners endured. This photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of the Cornish miners during the Victorian era, a time when the industry was at its peak. Despite the hardships and dangers, the miners persevered, driven by the promise of a better life for themselves and their families. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the rich mining heritage of Cornwall and the remarkable resilience of its people.
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