Images of Industry

In 2003 a German designed Draeger breathing apparatus was donated to the museum by Dinas Mines Rescue Station.  This type of apparatus was introduced into service around 1904 and used in a number of mining disasters in Europe and the USA.  They were so popular that United   States mine rescue workers became known as 'Draegar men'.  The museum's example appears to be the 1908/09 model and was probably used during the Senghenydd disaster as this is the design worn by rescue men during the rescue attempts.  In spite of the success of the Draegar it was replaced by the British made Proto apparatus during the run up to the First World War.