Down the clay mine: water and air pumps

Exhibits in the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum at Norden, near Corfe Castle.

The underground mines used two types of pump: one to evacuate water from the mine, the other was a compressor to power the pneumatic spades used by the miners. No indication was given as to which of the pumps here was which.

The strongest of the miners could work with two pneumatic spades, one in each hand. On going down the Norden mine twenty or so years ago, I was relieved to be able at least to lift a single pneumatic spade. The strength required to work with two must have been Herculean.

This exhibit is "underground", in the museum's recreation of part of a clay mine. It is dark down there, so the use of the camera's inbuilt flash was essential, but the outcome is flat and far from satisfactory.

I only use flash when really desperate!