18 Feb 1939 - One of the Chief Sources of Our National Wealth and Greatness : the Coal-miner at Work

18 Feb 1939 - One of the Chief Sources of Our National Wealth and Greatness : the Coal-miner at Work

Surrounded by steel props which support the roof, crouched into a few feet of space, Tommy Shotton gets down to his job of drilling coal from the face with the aid of his "windy pick" (pneumatic drill). Mechanisation in British mines has steadily increased. In 1937, 57 per cent of the total output was cut by machinery, compared with only 13 per cent in 1920. 51 per cent was dealt with by mechanical conveyors and loaders below ground.

(Image and text reproduced from the "Picture Post" of February 18th, 1939)

Image Reference: P-00624-01-0002