History
One of the few successful early workings of the Upper Hirst also ended in a flood. The eastern outcrop was mined by Sir George Bruce, using methods technically advanced for the time, such as a horse-powered bucket and chain pumping system. But the finest achievement was the Moat Pit, a shaft (actually two concentric shafts, for ventilation) constructed in an artificial island in the River Forth, where ships could directly load coal from the mine. On one occasion the mine was visited by King James, who entered from the shore and emerged on the artificial island. But in a great storm on 30 March 1625, coinciding with high tide, the colliery was flooded. Sir George Bruce died later that year, and no attempt was made to rescue the colliery.
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