studdle

A studdle is a vertical timber prop placed beneath a platform, stage, or working level inside a mine to carry its weight and the load of workers, tools, and extracted material. In deep mines where multiple levels of working platforms exist, studdies form the backbone of the temporary support structure, taking compressive loads from above and transmitting them down to the solid floor or to lower platforms.

Studdies are typically round or roughly squared timber, commonly 6 to 12 inches in diameter, cut to length and set upright with minimal dressing. The wood must be sound and straight enough to bear vertical load without significant bending. In older or shallower workings, studdies might be propped with wedges or supported by horizontal beams called lays or bands that distribute weight across multiple props. The timber is not permanently fixed: it can be withdrawn and reused as the mine develops or as a working area is abandoned.

Variants depend on local tradition and geology. A single studdle might support only a small platform area, while major working stages require multiple studdies arranged in rows, sometimes called a studdle frame or studdle set. In coal mines with softer seams, studdies were often supplemented with pack walls (stacked waste stone) to improve stability. Harder rock mines used fewer props because the roof could span greater distances on its own.

Failure of a studdle is a serious hazard. Decay from moisture, compression failure under concentrated load, or accidental damage during work can cause sudden collapse. Historical mining records identify studdle collapse as a cause of fatal accidents, making regular inspection of props standard practice in working mines. The term reflects its function: it stands, it stays put, it does the job.

The word 'studdle' appears in British and Northern European mining vocabulary, particularly in coal and metalliferous mines of England, Wales, and Scotland. It is less common in American mining terminology, where 'prop,' 'post,' or 'timber set' are preferred. The etymology is unclear, though it may relate to the verb 'to study' (meaning to set firmly) or to dialectal words for a sturdy upright structure.