Kent coalfield 4889912 225224294 2008-07-12T15:35:35Z 82.13.13.52 The '''Kent coalfield''' was located in the eastern part of the [[England|English]] county of [[Kent]]. [[Coal]] was discovered in the area in 1890 while borings for an early [[Channel Tunnel]] project were taking place and the resultant Shakespeare [[colliery]] lasted until 1915. In the early years many collieries were sunk but failed and the [[East Kent Light Railway]] was built to exploit the anticipated business. Eventually only four collieries survived: [[Betteshanger]], [[Chislet]], [[Snowdown]] and [[Tilmanstone]]. ==Geological theory== Various geologists, including [[Robert Alfred Cloynes Godwin-Austen|Robert Godwin-Austen]], theorised that the geological conditions in East Kent were conducive to the existence of coal. Godwin-Austen put forward his views in 1857, and they were accepted by Sir [[Joseph Prestwich]], who was a member of the Coal Commission from 1866–71.<ref name=Mine>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/index.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ==Test bores== Test bores were made at the following locations:- * [[Brabourne]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|2004|ft|m|}}, no coal found.<ref name=Mine/> * Ropersole, [[Barham]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|2129|ft|m|}}, twelve thin seams found.<ref name=Mine/> * Ellinge, [[Dover]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|1686|ft|m|}}, [[coal measure]]s found, boring continued another {{convert|129|ft|m|2}}, but no seams found.<ref name=Mine/> * [[Waldershare]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|2372|ft|m|}} or more, five coal seams found.<ref name=Mine2>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/borings.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> * Fredville, [[Nonington]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|1505|ft|m|}} or more in December 1896, three coal seams found.<ref name=Mine2/><ref name=Mine6/> * [[Goodnestone]]—bore to a depth of nearly {{convert|1000|ft|m|}}, no coal found. It was thought that the seams lay at a depth of {{convert|4000|ft|m|}}.<ref name=Mine2/> * [[White cliffs of Dover|Shakespeare Cliff]]—bore to a depth of {{convert|2274|ft|m}} in February 1890. Fourteen seams of coal found.<ref name=Mine11/> ==Collieries== ===Adisham=== A colliery was planned at [[Adisham]]. It was not commenced.<ref name=Lom>[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cmhrc/lom18ken.htm List of Mines]</ref><ref name=Chik6>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/housing.asp Coal Heritage In Kent]</ref> ===Betteshanger=== Standing to the northwest of [[Deal, Kent|Deal]], this colliery was served by a branch off the [[Kent Coast Line|Minster to Dover]] line. The colliery opened in 1924, the first coal was raised in 1927. In 1945, the workforce was 2,033, with 1,594 being employed sub-surface and 439 above.<ref name=Job>[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cmhrc/lom45ken.htm List of Mines]</ref>. Betteshanger was the only pit to [[Strike action|strike]] during [[World War Two]]. Betteshanger was the last pit to return to work after the [[UK miners' strike (1984–1985)|1984–85 Miners' Strike]] and it closed on [[August 26]] [[1989]]. A few of the buildings survive today.<ref name=Mine3>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/betteshanger_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref><ref name=Chik5>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/betteshanger.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref><ref name=Romar>[http://www.romar.org.uk/page68kentcoal.html Romar.org]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg>[http://www.kurg.org.uk/sites/coal.htm Kurg.org]</ref> * No. 1. {{convert|2126|ft|m}} * No. 2. {{convert|2426|ft|m}} ===Chislet=== Work began at [[Chislet]] in 1914, and the colliery produced its first coal in 1918. The fact that its owners, the Anglo-Westphalian Kent Coalfield Ltd., had [[Germany|German]] connections caused questions to be asked in Parliament. The company changed it name to the North Kent Coalfield Ltd., and later to Chislet Colliery Ltd. The colliery was served by the [[Ashford to Ramsgate (via Canterbury West) line|Ashford to Minster railway]], and a [[Chislet Colliery Halt railway station|halt]] was built to serve the miners. In 1945, the workforce was 1,350, with 1,023 being employed sub-surface and 327 above.<ref name=Job/> The colliery closed on [[July 25]] [[1969]], the abandonment of [[Steam locomotive|steam traction]] by [[British Rail]] having taken away the market for its coal.<ref name=Mine4>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/chislet_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref><ref name=Chik4>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/chislet.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref> ;Locomotive * [[Yorkshire Engine Company]] [[0-6-0|0-6-0ST]] 2498/1951 worked at Chislet Colliery from 1960 until its closure. It has been preserved and now bears the name ''Chislet''.<ref name=BRC>[http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/chislet.htm Buckingham Railway Centre]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * North {{convert|1470|ft|m}} * South {{convert|1467|ft|m}} ===Cobham=== A mine at [[Cobham, Kent|Cobham]] produced a small quantity of brown [[lignite]], although some [[bituminous coal]] had been found. It had been open cast mined and used by [[Earl of Darnley|Lord Darnley]] to heat [[Cobham Hall]]. A mine was sunk in 1947 and was recorded as producing 80 tons per week. The mine closed in 1953 and the site cleared.<ref name=Kurg/> ===Guilford=== The first test shaft was sunk in 1906, hoping to find the coal seams discovered under [[Waldershare]] Park. The [[East Kent Light Railway]] connected to the pit in November 1912. No coal had been found by 1918, and the colliery closed in the 1920s owing to geological problems. Two buildings remain at the site.<ref name=Mine5>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/guilford_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * No. 1. {{convert|306|ft|m}} * No. 2. {{convert|1272|ft|m}} * No. 3. {{convert|1272|ft|m}} ===Hammill (Woodnesborough)=== [[Image:Hammill Brickworks.jpg|thumb|Former colliery building at Hammill Brickworks]]This site was located to the south of [[Woodnesborough]]. Work here was abandoned in 1914 without coal being found. It was served by a half mile branch off the East Kent Light Railway. The site was subsequently used by the Hammill [[Brickworks]]. Some buildings survive.<ref name=Mine10>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/woodnesborough.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ===Maydensole=== This colliery was to have been located near [[East Langdon]]. Some boreholes were drilled but work was abandoned without any shafts being sunk.<ref name=Chik6>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/failed.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref> ===Shakespeare=== This colliery was located in [[Hougham|West Hougham]] on the site of the original Channel Tunnel workings. Coal had been discovered at a depth of {{convert|300|m|ft}} below Shakespeare Cliff on February 15 1890. The first shaft was stated on [[August 21]] [[1891]].<ref name=Folk>[http://www.thisisfolkestone.co.uk/history8.htm This is Folkestone]</ref> An accident on [[March 6]] [[1897]] killed eight men.<ref name=Herald>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/accident.htm Folkestone Herald]</ref> The cause was a sudden inrush of water at a depth of {{convert|366|ft|m}}. This problem was solved by lining the shaft with [[cast iron]] tubes as the shaft was sunk.<ref name-Chik>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/shakespeare.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref> By February 1905, just 12 tons of coal had been brought to the surface. Only 1,000 tons had been raised by 1912 and the colliery closed in December 1915 due to geological problems. [[Shakespeare Cliff Halt railway station|Shakespeare Cliff Halt]] opened in 1913 to serve the miners.<ref name=Halt>[http://www.kentrail.co.uk/shakespeare_cliff_halt.htm Kent Rail]</ref> The site was obliterated by workings in connection with building the Channel Tunnel in the 1980s.<ref name=Mine11>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/shakespeare_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * X {{convert|520|ft|m}} * Y {{convert|1632|ft|m}} * Z {{convert|1632|ft|m}} ===Snowdown=== [[Image:Snowdown colliery.jpg|thumb|Snowdown Colliery, August 1992]]Work commenced in 1908, and coal was first brought to the surface on [[November 19]] [[1912]]. The first shaft sunk hit water at {{convert|260|ft|m}} and 22 men were drowned. [[Snowdown]] was the deepest pit in Kent, reaching a depth of {{convert|3083|ft|m}}.<ref name=Chik2>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/snowdown.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref> The colliery was served by the [[Chatham Main Line|Faversham to Dover railway]], and a [[Snowdown railway station|halt]] was provided. In 1945 the workforce was 1,876, with 1,523 being employed sub-surface and 353 above.<ref name=Job/> The colliery closed in 1986 and the shafts were capped in 1988<ref name=Urbex>[http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=16022 Urbex]</ref>. A few buildings remain today.<ref name=Mine6>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/snowdown_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Locomotives * [[Avonside Engine Company|Avonside]] 0-6-0ST 2004-1927 worked at Snowdown. It has been preserved.<ref name=EKR>[http://www.eastkentrailway.com/stock.htm East Kent Railway]</ref> * [[John Fowler & Co.|Fowler]] [[0-4-0|0-4-0DM]] 416002/1952 worked at Snowdown. It has been preserved.<ref name=EKR/> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * No 1. {{convert|262|ft|m}} * No 2. {{convert|3083|ft|m}} * No 3. {{convert|2994|ft|m}} ===Stonehall=== This colliery was near [[Lydden]]. It was abandoned in 1914 without coal being found.<ref name=Mine7/> It lay derelict until 1919 when work recommenced, only to be abandoned and most of the buildings demolished in 1921.<ref name=Chik6/> A couple of buildings remain.<ref name=Mine7>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/stonehall_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * North {{convert|75|ft|m}} * East {{convert|273|ft|m}} * West {{convert|273|ft|m}} ===Tilmanstone=== Work was commenced at [[Tilmanstone]] in 1906. An accident in 1909 killed three men and destroyed the pumping system, causing the mine to flood and work was abandoned for nine months.<ref name=Chik3>[http://www.dover.gov.uk/kentcoal/exhibition/tilmanstone.asp Coal Heritage in Kent]</ref> The site was connected to the East Kent Light Railway in 1912 and coal first brought to the surface in March 1913. An accident at the pit on [[February 27]] [[1931]] resulted in [[Sydney William Padfield]] being awarded a bronze [[Edward Medal]],<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=33725|startpage=3837|date=[[12 June]] [[1931]]|accessdate=2008-01-22}} PDF</ref> the only one awarded in the Kent Coalfield.<ref name=Pit>[http://www.pitwork.net/ema.htm Pitwork]</ref> An [[aerial ropeway]] was built in 1930 to link the pit with [[Dover Harbour]]. This included [[tunnel]]ling through the cliff at [[Dover]] to deliver the coal to a 5,000 ton bunker at the harbour.<ref name=Chik3/> It wasn't used much after 1935, and was dismantled in 1954.<ref name=Rope>[http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2242159&page=1 SimHQ]</ref> In 1945, the workforce was 914, with 631 being employed sub-surface and 283 above.<ref name=Job/>The colliery closed in 1986, having produced over 20,000,000 tons of coal. A system of tokens was used in the pithead baths and canteen<ref name=Coin>[http://www.mining-memorabilia.co.uk/TilmanstoneBathsTokens.htm Mining Memorabilia]</ref> and a lamp check was operated, in common with the majority of pits.<ref name=Lamp>[http://www.mining-memorabilia.co.uk/Tilmanstonechecks.htm Mining Memorabilia]</ref> All buildings have been demolished.<ref name=Mine8>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/tilmanstone_colliery.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * No 1. {{convert|1590|ft|m}} * No 2. {{convert|3168|ft|m}} * No 3. {{convert|3139|ft|m}} ===Wingham=== Work at [[Wingham, Kent|Wingham]] was abandoned in 1914, without coal being found. Water had been hit, and there was no finance to buy pumps. The buildings were mothballed and sold in 1924, being used for a [[milling]] business. The colliery was to be served by the East Kent Light Railway.<ref name=Chik6/><ref name=Mill9>[http://www.eastkent.freeuk.com/mining/wingham.htm Coal Mining in Kent]</ref> ;Shafts sunk<ref name=Kurg/> * East {{convert|50|ft|m}} * West {{convert|150|ft|m}} ==References== {{Reflist|3}} == External links == *[http://www.staff.ucsm.ac.uk/jporter/betteshanger/ Betteshanger] Colliery photos. *[http://home.freeuk.com/eastkent/mining/betteshanger_1989.htm Betteshanger] Colliery at work photos *[http://www.doverpages.co.uk/kent_coal_field/kent_coal_field.htm Photographs] *[http://www.unionhistory.info/workerswar/narrativedisplay.php?irn=44 Account] of a [[Bevin Boy]] in Kent during World War Two *[http://www.snowdown-kent-coalfield.co.uk/snowdown_colliery_photo_gallery.htm Gallery] of photos of Snowdown Colliery in 2007 *[http://www.staple-online.co.uk/Neighbours_Wingham4.html Photo] of Wingham Colliery [[Category:History of Kent]] [[Category:Coal mines in England]] [[Category:Mining in England]] [[Category:Coal mining regions]]