Boat Levels Associated with Mining: I. Coal Mining

Abstract

AbstractThe use of underground canals to facilitate the exploitation of mineral wealth is a poorly documented area of mining and transportation history. In a previous paper (Industrial Archaeology Review, V, 1 (1981)), the manner in which conventional canal tunnels were modified for mining purposes was described. The present paper concentrates on underground boat levels operated quite independently of canal tunnels. After a general technical introduction, boat levels specifically associated with coal mining are examined. The most extensive and important site is the remarkable system of levels burrowing deep into the Worsley coalfield, and constructed over the 60 years following 1759. A forthcoming paper will focus upon boat levels associated with metal mining and will also attempt to present a summary of important general characteristics of boat levels.