I found this reference to “Blantyre Mining School” in a local newspaper of 1893. I’d never heard of a ‘Mining School’ until seeing this article and read with interest that it appeared to teach and qualify colliery management!
Classes were to be held from 30th September in the Low Blantyre School at Stonefield on a Saturday evening from 7pm until 9pm. Course included all subjects necessary for the ‘Colliery Managers’ Examination’ which was held under the Science and Art Department.
It would appear the tutor was Mr Black, not only a colliery manager, but also the Science teacher. Being a science teacher may have assisted this course in understanding chemicals, reactive forces, and gases!
I did wonder if miners stepped up for this opportunity or if people from other trades and walks of life put themselves forward. I’m presuming this work was above ground!
Certain tasks under ground required testing for gas, water etc before the men could go down to work usually before 6am, The underground manager required a safety certificate to signify he was a suitable person or possibly the fireman if by fire/furnace pit ventilation or the pit cage man Each mine had a set of safety rules ie the rule book. I have seen some from the 1850s! Health & Safety was a big topic and mines were regularly inspected for bad ropes etc. The miners got an extra few pennies for these safety certificates and others. . I have see a case from 1858 where the underground manager was in the High Court 6 months after four miners killed in a gas explosion. Health and safety then. Compare with Grenfell Tower now! The underground manager got off the charge of murder. The men were down the pit at 5.15am before the “official” 6am start and the mine had not been checked for gas by the underground manager.