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RECONSTRUCTIONS MOTHERGATE ALBUM AUDIO ARCHIVE

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Tamper at work
 
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Woodhorn Colliery: Tamper

Once the driller had finished his job, the explosives were pushed into the holes together with the detonators. The hole was then plugged, or tamped, with clay to stop the explosive blowing out when detonated. The men used a long rod, like a broom handle, to do this.

Watch a video clip of tamping and an explosion or see more miners at work.
 
PREHISTORIC BURIALROMAN PERIOD FARMANGLO-SAXON ROYAL PALACEMEDIEVAL VILLAGEMEDIEVAL CASTLEPOST-MEDIEVAL LEAD WORKINGTWENTIETH CENTURY COAL MINE