Exhibition Label text: Oak shaft lining. c 1850. Early rectangular shafts were all lined with wood to prevent infilling and dirt falls. Timber was cheap, strong and flexible. However it was also quick to decay and a terrible fire hazard.
The introduction of a furnace at the bottom of the ‘upcast’ shaft to help ventilation encouraged the development of brick shaft lining. Timber continued to be used as a temporary lining during shaft sinking operations.
40.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 cm