Further to Richard VandeWetering's email asking about blasting, the 
following is a note which I've drafted (with the aid of some responses 
to the List) for NAMHO Research Agend.

The answer to David William's question about why it took so long to 
adopt for blasting probably has a lot to do with the Crown protecting 
its power and monopolising powder for military purposes,  It cannot have 
helped with Guido Forkes tried to put James 1/VI and his ministers into 
orbit.

Mike Gill


*Blasting*
Gunpowder blasting was recorded at Le Thillot mine in eastern France by 
1617, but it seems to have taken until 1672 for its first known use in a 
British mine, at Ecton in Staffordshire.^1, 2 There is, however, strong 
circumstantial evidence for its use a decade earlier during 1662-1663 in 
driving Longe Sough, or Cromford Sough, in Derbyhire. Ralph Greatorex 
appears to allude to the boring of shot holes in limestone and churt 
[sic] in the mid to late 1660's, possibly those at Longe Sough, where 
his brother John was a partner.^3

Its use must have spread fairly quickly because the accounts of a small 
Yorkshire lead mine, at Dew Bottom on Malham Moor, record the purchase 
of "Candles and powder" between March 1677 and April 30^th 1679.^4

In June 1689 the Godolphins brought Thomas Epsley from Somerset to teach 
Cornish miners at Breage and Germoe the art of "shooting the rocks".^5 
Epsley was killed by a gunpowder explosion in December 1689, however, 
and was buried at Breage.^6

In Yorkshire, Abstrupus Danby made an agreement on October 4th 1690 with 
Edward Hodgekinson, Robert Archdale and Peter Smith, all miners of 
Pateley Bridge, to drive a level at his Colsterdale Colliery."/They were 
to find at their own charge all tools, workgear, Gunpowder, except iron, 
steel and boards/", which Danby was to provide.^7

According to the Chirk and Powis manuscripts, Sir R. Middleton's miners 
used gunpowder at the Carreghofa mine in 1692.^8 Its first known use in 
Wales.

*References*

1.Pierre, F."The use of gunpowder in 1617 in the mines of Le Thillot 
(Vosges-France) -- inspiration or imitation in this innovative 
process"Paper read to the 8th International Mining History Congress, 
Redruth, 12- 15th June 2009.

2.Rieuwerts, J.H./Lead Mining in Derbyshire: History, Development and 
Drainage - Vol.1 Castleton to the River Wye/ (Ashbourne: Landmark 
Publishing Ltd, 2007), p.12

3.Royal Society, Boyle papers.

4.Clwyd Records Office, Ruthin:Lowther MSS Ref. DD/L/63

5.Buckley, J.A./A history of South Crofty Mine/ (Truro: Dyllsndow 
Truran, 1997), p.13.

6.Breage Burial Registers, 1689.

7.Tyson, L.O./Mashamshire Collieries/ (Nelson: British Mining No.82, 
2007), p.34.//

8.Lewis, W.J. /Lead Mining in Wales/ (Cardiff: University of Wales, 1967).