Does anybody know anything about the Steam Colliers that brought the coal down from the north to London?

Answer 1

An awful lot sank off the Yorkshire coast in storms. We still get bits of coal turning up on the beaches near Filey.

Answer 2

Hi >
Oh dear I am showing my age (only 51), but as a Geordie young lad at say 10-11, we used to jump on the chains of slow moving steam driven coal trains from Seaton Burn to Blyth, and jumped off to watch them loading Colliers bound for Battersea & such.
A hazerdous and grubby performance.
Off they went, well laden, hoping for smooth weather down the coast. I have overheard such comments as -
"If this keeps up, lad, I'm pulling into Grimsby, or Hull, of Felixstowe.
Heading back north for more coal, apparantly they loaded up the cabins with "goodies" from down South, to sell on to market traders. Then unavailable mostly up North.
Bless them.
We would jump into the empty waggons from port, and arrive home filthy. Great fun.
Bob the Boat.