Miner who, had the task of igniting pockets of

The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which, if allowed to build up, could cause disastrous explosions in coal mines. From Underground Life; or, Mines and Miners by Louis Simonin (London, 1869). Wood engraving

1869 Allowed Build Cause Damp Disastrous Explosions Fire-damp Igniting Inflammable Methane Miner Mines Penitent Sacking Simonin Swathed Task Undertook

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