The Duke Goes Down A Mine The Duke Sits in the "Hoppit" Ready to descend to the Pit. The Duke of Edinburgh bathed at a Lancashire pithead after descending more than 1,500 feet to the pit bottom at Mosley common colliery today, April 3. Afterwards he joined miners in the pit canteen and ate a 1/40 lunch. Before entering the pit in a "Hoppit" - A large bucket which holds three or four men - Prince Philip was 'Frisked' for matches, lighters, cigarettes or other smoking materials. March 04, 1952. (Photo by Rota Picture)