Coal Mining terms. Definition of Onsetter
Coal or other minerals arrive at the bottom of a shaft in a mine, usually in tubs, and have to be put in a cage or some other contrivance in order to be wound up the shaft to the surface. The onsetter is the man who loads the cage with full tubs to go up, and unloads the empty tubs when they are returned from the surface.
The Onsetter also has the job of ensuring men get in and out of the cage safely- and so his job is one of some responsibility. Cages in mine shafts do not work like lifts in office blocks: in early mines, the Onsetter was the only safeguard against the cage being would up the shaft before it was properly loaded- and error which could cause considerable damage and injury.
The Onsetter communicates with the winderman (the man operating the winding engine which moves the cages up and down the shaft) and the banksman stationed at the top of the shaft to load and unload the cage when it reaches the surface. Originally, the Onsetter used a system of ropes and levers called a rapper to signal to the banksman. Later, this was replaced by electrical wire and bells, and later still with telephones and other signalling apparatus.
The term Onsetter is recorded in the English mining glossaries:
Definitions
A glossary of Terms used in the Coal Trade of Northumberland and Durham, W. E. Nicholson, 1888:
Onsetter
Men who put the full tubs in and take the empty ones out of the cage at the shaft bottom
English and Foreign Mining Glossary, Mining Journal 1871.
Onsetter
Newcastle term: The man who sends the coal from the bottom of the pit.
Quotes concerning Onsetters
The onsetter transfers the tubs to the cage in which they are raised to bank, where the coal is weighed, screened, and opened.
From
Comprehensive Guide to the County of Durham, by J. R. Boyle, F. S. A.. Read the article
here
The tubs are conducted into the cage by the onsetter, and conveyed to bank, where the coal is weighed, screened, and sorted for the market.
From
The Coal Miners of Durham and Northumberland: their Habits and Diseases. By ROBERT WILSON, M.D. . Read the article
here
Coal Mines Act, 1911: The parts of the Abstract and General Regulations required to be supplied to onsetters. Mines and Quarries Form No. 61 United Kingdom. Mines Department contains further details. Ask the librarian for more information.
Search for references to Bank and Banksmen in the library here.
Search for references to Bank and Banksmen in the Colliery Guardian and Mining Journal on-line index.
Search the Institute on-line catalogue for Bank and Banksmen here
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