The heritage: Mining in Saarland - Part VI

Life and limb, Monument, Long farewell

By State Chancellery Saarland

Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Life and limb by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Life and limb

From the very outset, there were manifold risks involved in mining which markedly increased with the introduction of deep mining. Water ingress, underground fire, cable breakage, mine collapse and above all the dreaded firedamp and coal dust explosions are part thereof; it was above all due to the latter that many miners lost their lives. The employee insurance schemes initiated by Bismarck and constantly further developed since that time made a decisive contribution to safeguarding the miners and their survivors. Since then, improvement in technology alone has no longer occupied a forefront position in mining risk prevention, but also development of preventive measures such as occupational and health protection.

Plasma donation for injured comrades at the Knappschaftskrankenhaus (literally: "Miners' association hospital") Fischbach, 1949 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

X-ray carriage of the "Arbeitsmedizinische Ambulanz" at the Knappschaft Saarbrücken, January 1957 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

The challenge trophy for mine safety was awarded to the Ensdorf pit in 1966. by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Inside of the X-ray carriage of the "Arbeitsmedizinische Ambulanz", January 1957 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Shift tokens ("Fahrmarken") of various mines Shift tokens ("Fahrmarken") of various mines by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Protective equipment of the Warndt pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Knee protectors made of leather by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miner's apron ("Arschleder") by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miner at work by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miner, take care! by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Self-rescuer (breathing apparatus) by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Filter self-rescuer Dräger 810 by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

CO-filter self-rescuer Auer 95 by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Birdcage by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Birdcage by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Dräger gas detector Dräger gas detector by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Methane gas measuring unit 0-50 percent by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Air measuring unit by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Dräger gas detector by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Methane gas meter by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Oxygen indicator by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Ventilation engineer at work by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

"Wettersteiger" of the Velsen pit "Wettersteiger" of the Velsen pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Poster series for accident prevention Poster series for accident prevention by Landesarchiv Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Dräger respirator Dräger respirator by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Dräger BG 4 breathing apparatus by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Sticker of the Saar mine rescue brigade ("Saargrubenwehr") by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Training of mine rescue brigades in Maybach by Landesarchiv Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Fully geared member of mine rescue brigade prior to deployment by Heimatmuseum Quierschied and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Mine rescue worker while extinguishing a fire by Heimatmuseum Quierschied and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Test card of RAG "Gruben und Gasschutzwehr" ("mine rescue and gas protection brigade") by Jens Stoewesand, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Pulmotor by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Sound level meter by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Case with six air samples Case with six air samples by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Four bottles from a first aid station ("Verbandsstube") by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Orders for emergency personnel by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Emergency helpers' booklet ("Nothelferbuch") by Gunter Altenkirch, Gersheim-Rubenheim and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Emergency helpers' pass from Warndt pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

French miner's helmet French miner's helmet by Historisches Museum Saar and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

German miner's helmet by Historisches Museum Saar and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Safety helmet made of leather by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Protective helmet Protective helmet by Gunter Altenkirch, Gersheim-Rubenheim and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Mirror with "warning" by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Firedamp explosions by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Schlagwetterexplosionen 1970er bis 1990er JahreState Chancellery Saarland

The firedamp explosions shown in the film sequences are testing demolitions performed to examine this danger. These are gas and coal dust explosions as well as water trough explosions. The demolition of a ventilation structure is also shown. Such tests also helped to significantly improve safety provisions and installations underground in the last couple of decades.

Members of the mine fire brigade carrying the coffin of a fatality of the Luisenthal catastrophe at the central memorial service on 10 February 1962. by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial for the victims of the Maybach pit firedamp catastrophe, 1930 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Fictional representation of a fire damp explosion as shown in the "Le petit parisien" magazine in 1907 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial stone for the victims of the firedamp explosion of the Reden pit in 1907 in Schiffweiler by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

BILD tabloid: Catastrophe in the Saar region by Deutsches Zeitungsmuseum, Wadgassen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Pit catastrophe in Völklingen Pit catastrophe in Völklingen by Deutsches Zeitungsmuseum, Wadgassen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Saarbrücker Zeitung 08., 09., 10., 12/02/1962 Saarbrücker Zeitung 08., 09., 10., 12/02/1962 by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

"Ein jeder ist dein Nä̈chster" by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Mining exhibition at St. Lukas pharmacy by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial service for Luisenthal disaster by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Magazine "Schacht und Heim", 8th year, issue 3, March 1962 Magazine "Schacht und Heim", 8th year, issue 3, March 1962 by Rüdiger Ankele, Merten (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Song text "Oh Luisenthal" – a song about the pit disaster, 1962 Song text "Oh Luisenthal" – a song about the pit disaster, 1962 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Luisenthal memorial service by Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial sheet of the Camphausen pit disaster in 1886 by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Pocket watch by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

"Bergmannskind" postcard, 1909 "Bergmannskind" postcard, 1909 by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Information signs Information signs by Industriekultur Saar GmbH, Göttelborn and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Information sign on conveyor cage Information sign on conveyor cage by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Dahlbusch bomb by Carreau Wendel, Petite-Rosselle (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Mine rescue brigade suit with respirator by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Monument

There have no longer been any deaths in Saarland coal mining since 2004 owing to high safety standards, yet the memory of mining as one of the most dangerous professions in Western industrial society remains. The number of people in mining injured while performing their work indeed lies well above the cumulative victims of the major accidents. So taking account of the „everyday“ accidents, between 7.500 and 10.000 individuals must have lost their lives since State mining around the Saar began, above all men, but also a few women. The monument to the dead miners cannot lay claim to completeness. This is why the victims of mining who are unknown by name should also be honoured representatively at this point.

Memorial for the victims of the 28 January 1907 coal dust explosion by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Memorial for the victims of the 20 October 1864 Reden pit firedamp explosion by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

The long goodbye by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Long farewell

As early as during the 1950‘s, the first Saarland pits had to close and work stoppages had to be introduced owing to market difficulties. The oil crisis during the 1970‘s appeared to herald a renaissance of coal; in addition, large coal-fired power plants such as that in Ensdorf and the subsidies from the „coal penny“ introduced in 1974 were to help to stabilise the situation. Yet since the structural crises of the 1980‘s at the latest, which resulted in regularly held „coal round negotiations“ (Federal government, coal states, employers and trade unions), the end of mining around the Saar was predictable for many. In 1997, the collective redundancies in the highly subsidised mining industry culminated in massive protests and the Saar mines were sold to the RAG for a symbolic D Mark. The end of Saarland mining, initially scheduled for 2018, was brought forward to 30th June 2012 owing to subsidence-related earthquakes.

The Camphausen pit, early 1960s by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Construction of the Weiher powerplant in July 1963 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Ban on Sunday driving during the first oil crisis in November of 1973 – photo taken at the Goldene Bremm border crossing near Saarbrücken by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Coal lab with testing facility for coal refinement and gasometer on the premises of the Heinitz pit closed down in 1962; photo taken during demolition works, 11 February 1967 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Glück auf! – Youth and Saar mining by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Glück Auf! – Jugend im SaarbergbauState Chancellery Saarland

This educational film was used to recruit new miners. It showed the everyday work of a miner with inviting images and underscored by cheerful music. Beginning with the shared ride to work inside the bus of the Saarberg AG, the various working activities inside the mine itself and continuing to joint holiday camps in European countries - this film showed all aspects of a miner's professional life and was designed to invite young people to become a part of this community.

Look into a washroom ("Waschkaue") by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Beverage vending machine Beverage vending machine by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners' portraits 1, 2, 5 Miners' portraits 1, 2, 5 by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

"To all Saar miners with sons" by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Welcome address by Hubertus Rolshoven by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Company library of the Velsen pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Monthly pass for the bus by Delf Slotta, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Ticket by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Youth working at the sorting conveyor by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners underground after a successful breakthrough by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Change of shift Change of shift by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners inside a face by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners of Velsen pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Migrant workers from Turkey in Maybach by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Opening of the canteen by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Football match between pit teams by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Shaft expansion underground Shaft expansion underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

"Halbschicht" by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Breakthrough by French miners by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Shaft sinking by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miners of the Reden pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Strike poster by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Protest poster of the IGBE by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Protests in Saarbrücken Protests in Saarbrücken by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Protests in Volklingen by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

St. Blasius church in Saarwellingen St. Blasius church in Saarwellingen by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Leaflets by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Leaflets by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Like our own funeral by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Saarbrücker Kohlehafen mit Burbacher Hü̈tte ("Saarbrücken coal port with Burbach steelworks") by Delf Slotta, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Miner's shower by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Box of miner's tools by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

Carreau Wendel workshop wagon by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland

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