Why was coal important in the growth of British industry?

Answer 1

Coal was the fuel used to create the steam to drive the engines of industry in the factories and on the new railways. All this [the age of steam] got started back in the 18th century in Cornwall. The tin mine owners had steam engines installed to pump water out of the mines. James Watt improved on this early steam engine [an atmosphere engine] and built the first really workable locomotive, Rocket.

Prior to the creation of efficient steam egines, the Brits had simply used the technology developed by the Romans - water power.

Once a method of producing coke from coal was discovered, it was used instead of charcoal to make Iron. Iron was the main product of the Industrial Revolution. At the height of the Victorian Age we were able to build magnificent spans like the one at St.Pancras here in London, using cast iron. Visit it and look up in awe. There are also photographs of it's construction which you can find online.

Was coal the only fuel which fired up the Industrial Revolution here in UK?

Well no. The main 'fuel' for the want of a better word was sugar which was consumed in great quantities in tea. The workers in the new cotton mills were given sweat tea to drink which they drank while continuing to work - no breaks - 12 hours flat out then off home to flop into bed. Dead mostly by age 40 - 50.

Where did this sugar 'fuel' come from? The slave plantations of the West Indies. The Slave Trade was the source of money which paid for the Industrial Revolution.

Answer 2

It powered the machines that led to the Industrial Revolution. Coal was burned to create steam that powered the Factories, Mills etc and revolutionised transport- railways, barges, steam powered ships- so that goods could be moved from A to B in a much shorter time scale. People became more mobile and could do business with those in other towns in a way that was previously impossible- and in other countries.
The introduction of steam power meant industrial production of iron and steel which further increased the advance of industry. The quantities of fabrics, created at previously unconceivable speeds, meant that Britain could trade goods at an unprecedented rate. Britain's goods were in demand all over the world and coal allowed their speedy delivery aswell as speedy production.

Answer 3

Coal fired the furnaces that provided the steam power to drive the heavy machinery during the industrial revolution. In those days coal was king. When electricity became widely used coal again was vital because coal powered the generators at the power stations.

Answer 4

Because coal fired the boilers that produced the steam that sparked the industrial revolution.

Answer 5

It was the source of power for our production of steel,glass,and many other industrial processes which put us in such a strong economic position. Now China and India are taking over because the cost of labour is so cheap-it is slave labour in these countries really. The few strong preying upon the weak again. History repeats itself.

Answer 6

COAL WAS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEEL,IT POWERED STEAM ENGINES AND WAS THE MAIN SOURCE OF GAS BEFORE NATURAL GAS WAS DISCOVERED IN RECENT YEARS.IT WAS THE FUEL OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WITHOUT SUCH A PROLIFIC CHEAP SOURCE BRITAIN WOULDNT HAVE BEEN THE HOME OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

Answer 7

It was the source of power for most industries.

Answer 8

coal is for locomotives. locos r a main part of travel n industry. so coal was v impt for growth of britain.

Answer 9

Because they are used in the Bessemer's Conversion steelmaking system. Steel is sometimes the measure of how much the nation's economy will prosper and grow.

Answer 10

fuel for ships and trains.

fuel for power stations for electricity

fuel to steam powered machines before that

when converted to coke, it is used in blast furnaces to make iron and steel.

endless.