A few of the older miners were still drinking cold, black tea in the
Doncaster area pits during the early 1970s. I had it in the Saudi desert
(where it was usually only relatively cold!) and found it very refreshing.
I've also heard it said that tea is mildly antiseptic and that this may have
been one factor in decreased mortality rates in later Victorian times.
Alan - having seen a demonstration of the exothermic reaction beween
aluminium and rusty iron (it gives a fantastic spark when the two are struck
together), I'm surprised that your engine man did not have even bigger
problems. Its use was banned when an aluminium borer fell off a ripping
platform onto an iron shovelling plate and caused an explosion. This was in
the 1950s (I think), but I'm sorry I do not know where. By my time with the
NCB, even aluminium foil on chewing gum and tobacco were contraband. Both
the US and UK navies know how well aluminium superstructures on ships burn.
Mike Gill
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