Ladders Gallery

East Pool Mine, Illogan, Cornwall. 1893

Cornish miners at Croust time, at the 310 level. Miners enjoying their croust, having performed the first part of the days labour. Some of the holes bored are often blasted before croust, so that the smoke may clear away while the well earned crib and pipe are being enjoyed. The photographers son, Sidney Burrow, who sometimes acted as his father's assistant, is seated front row, third from left. The group include seven miners holding or smoking pipes. Six men are clearly holding half eaten pasties in string tied cotton or linen bags and others holding the empty bags. One man drinks from a water barrel and another barrel lies on the ground in front of the men on the right of the picture. Some miners have discarded their felt miners hats revealing the cloth scull cap worn beneath their hats. Candles clearly seen being held or secured to hats by lumps of clay, spare ones tied to jackets and some burning on the level wall in the back ground. Large amounts of hob nails can be seen on the soles of the miners boots. Photographer: John Charles Burrow

© From the collection of the RIC