Interview with Robert ('Bobby') Joseph Kelly about his time as a miner in Laxey
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Date(s): 8 September 1980
Scope & Content: Tracks 1 & 2: Robert Joseph ‘Bobby’ Kelly talks to Andy Gillings about mining at Laxey. He talks about how you started on the washing floors working your way up; long hours even in darkness using paraffin ‘duck’ lights; lead zinc copper being processed; iron being taken to Swansea and Northern England; promotion to working on hauling engine; numbers of men; methods of team working; blasting processes; working by candlelight; amount of ore mined; miners’ strike in 1918, 1919; men from Blackpool; miners negotiating pay and buying equipment; how Williamson bought the mine around 1922 working only the top level; Dumbells shaft being deepest mine at 302ft, accessed by ladders; miners walking long distances to work; starting at 15 as a message boy for mines’ Captain and finishing age 22 or 23; no schooling; the mines’ Captains Reddicliffe Roberts and Bateman and duties of shift boss Ned Christian; Bobby’s leg injury and (with no pay from the mines) having to rely on Miners Club support.
'Norman' interjects when discussion turns to a shaft (unsuccessfully) being sunk further in than Dumbells called the Watty Deep during the First World War. Discussion continues about miners leaving for Africa and America; shaft around Ballaragh called Ann Jane’s hole; Bobby’s father-in-law working at Snaefell mines; a suicide in the mines; use of farm horses to pull ore to the harbour; mines railway; weighing machine on the quay; operation of The Ant and The Bee locomotives; coal coming in by boat; timber importation for use in mine ‘pitches’; manually hacking out ore; limited use of drilling machines; use of compressed air through pipes and latterly in ‘The 50’ when Williamson took over.
Language: eng
Extent: 59 min. 36 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0328
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH