Julie - Canaries were carried in small cages by mines rescue brigade
personnel when carrying out their duties underground following an
explosion. The ventilation system would have been severely disrupted and
the canary was a very sensitive detector of the presence of carbon monoxide.
When the rescue team saw that the canary was in difficulties they knew that
it was time for them to get out and retreat back to a 'fresh air base',
where the canary was revived with oxygen. Canaries were kept for this
purpose at all mines rescue stations and at some collieries also. I was
employed at one colliery for a period in 1954-55 and there were two or three
cages containing canaries which were housed in the 'Ambulance Room' at the
colliery.
Alan.
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