I also recommend reading the 1871 Royal Commission Report. Certainly the
bit I borrowed which included the section related to South Glos & Bristol
had relevent stuff
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire into the Several Matters
relating to Coal in the United Kingdom, Volume I,' C 435 (London: HMSO,
1871) - Irish University Press reprint"
This report was basically the Victorians being concerned that the British
Empire would fall if we ran out of coal. They specifically looked into how
deep minerals could realistically be worked. My memory recalls references
that seemed to be suggesting that if there were coal seems in the South west
of England with a general dip to the Sout East, that there could be seems at
great depth in Kent.
Not quiet right geologically speaking but it does suggest they were seeking
to find new reserves (& near to London I suppose)
Regards
David
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