The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which, if allowed to build up, could cause disastrous explosions in coal mines. From 'Der Stein der Weisen' (Leipzig, c1895). Engraving.

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The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which, if allowed to build up, could cause disastrous explosions in coal mines. From 'Der Stein der Weisen' (Leipzig, c1895). Engraving.

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Photo credit: © World History Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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