In historic deep-shaft mining, a hogger pump was the final, top-level pump in a series of steam-driven or mechanical water pumps. Because single pumps could not lift water all the way from deep workings to the surface, water was relayed up the shaft in stages; the hogger pump took the water from the highest underground sump and discharged it at the surface.
Heard on the job
The water level is rising in the upper lodge because the hogger pump blew a seal.